Mansion 24

Mansion 24 - Horror Problem

Ohmkar carved out a unique niche with the immensely popular horror franchise "Rajugari Gadi." Following a substantial hiatus, he is now making a spine-tingling return with the horror web series "Mansion 24." This series is available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, and the burning question on everyone's mind is whether it has succeeded in sending shivers down the spines of its viewers.

Story:

Amrutha, portrayed by Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, embarks on a relentless mission to exonerate her father, the archaeologist Kalidas, brilliantly played by Sathyaraj, who has mysteriously disappeared and been falsely branded a traitor. Undeterred by the stern warnings of law enforcement, she fearlessly ventures into the desolate Mansion 24, the last known location of her father's vanishing, rumored to be haunted.

Within the eerie confines of Mansion 24, she encounters the enigmatic watchman, compellingly portrayed by Rao Ramesh, who begins to unveil the spine-chilling events that have transpired within its haunted walls. The narrative further introduces its intriguing inhabitants: Room No 504 houses the reclusive writer Chaturvedi, played by Srimaan, while Room No 203 is occupied by Swapna, a character brought to life by Avika Gor. In Room No 605, we find Inmate, played by Rajiv Kanakala, and his wife Radha, skillfully portrayed by Abhinaya. Room No 409 is home to yet another enigmatic resident, Inmate, portrayed by Archana Jose. The enigmatic and memorable figures of Lilli, portrayed by Nandu, and Sultana Begum, masterfully brought to life by Bindu Madhavi, call Room No 307 their own.

The tantalizing question that lingers throughout is whether Amrutha possesses the fortitude to unravel the enigma and clear her father's name.

Analysis:

Ohmkar, renowned as a master of horror storytelling, once again ventured into the horror genre for his OTT debut with "Mansion 24." However, this particular story, helmed by Ohmkar, draws inspiration from various Hollywood films and even echoes themes found in Ram Gopal Varma's works, ultimately lacking the freshness one might hope for.

While the initial scenes pique one's curiosity, it doesn't take long before the narrative becomes fairly predictable, causing one to question whether Ohmkar aimed to create a horror story or a comical one. Regrettably, apart from occasional flickering lights and a few eerie sounds, "Mansion 24" offers little in the way of innovative scares. A couple of twists do manage to make their mark, but, overall, Ohmkar's approach turns "Mansion 24" into a somewhat tedious and demanding watch. The story seems weak, the screenplay and direction underwhelming, and the script lacks the compelling twists and turns that are crucial to the horror genre. Dialogues, too, feel rather ordinary.

Despite claims of horror, the series falls far short of sending shivers down anyone's spine, not even newborns. "Mansion 24" features a seasoned cast who put forth their best efforts to breathe life into the proceedings. Varalakshmi Sarathkumar delivers a good performance, showcasing her emotional depth, while Rao Ramesh delivers a fine performance. Nandu, Avika Gor, Abhinaya, and Archana all make their presence felt with their respective roles.

Vikas Badisha deserves praise for his impactful background score, infusing life into the otherwise lifeless "Mansion 24." The cinematography by Manikandan is commendable, but the editing leaves room for improvement. Unfortunately, the graphics and CGI fall short of industry standards, and the production values, while acceptable, don't stand out.

Verdict:

"Mansion 24," directed by Ohmkar, boasts spirited performances from the talented cast. However, Ohmkar's storytelling and character development left much to be desired, ultimately failing to deliver the spine-tingling thrills that typically send shivers down the audience's spines.