Subham Review

Shubham is the latest film produced by and featuring a cameo from Samantha. Directed by Praveen Kandregula, known for the clean hit Cinema Bandi, this movie has generated considerable buzz. Let’s see how the film fares in this review.

Story:

Set in the early 2000s, the story unfolds in the Visakhapatnam–Bhimili region. Srinivas (Harshith R) runs a local town cable TV network. He agrees to an arranged marriage and ties the knot with Sreevalli (Shreya Kontham). But on their wedding night at exactly 9 PM, while watching a serial, Srinivas suddenly gets possessed by a spirit, leaving everyone shocked. Soon, he finds out he’s not the only one, but his friends' wives, Farida (Shalini Kondepudi) and Gayatri (Shravani Lakshmi), are also affected in the same way. Why are these possessions happening during the serial? What is the mystery behind the show? What solution does the tantric Maya Sree (played by Samantha) offer? Who are the actual spirits? The answers lie in watching Shubham.

Analysis:

The film's core concept, linking horror to daily soap operas, is quirky and interesting. The blend of horror and humor is handled quite well by the director. After a regular start, the film picks up pace with a clean comedic narrative that especially connects with female audiences.

Some comedy scenes are downright hilarious, ensuring solid entertainment for viewers of all age groups. Beyond the humor, the film delivers beautiful emotional moments and meaningful scenes about marriage and relationships. Occasional horror sequences are also handled decently.

While the story is intriguing, some viewers might find the premise silly or far-fetched. The pacing in the beginning is a bit slow, taking time to reach the main plot. In the second half, some horror elements feel exaggerated. A few scenes involving the three female leads come across as repetitive and overly dramatic. The narrative also feels slightly stretched in places. Samantha’s role, while impactful, could have been designed better.

Performances are impressive across the board. Harshith R delivers a natural performance, especially in horror and confusion-driven scenes. Shreya Kontham looks beautiful and acts with authenticity. Charan Peri and Srinivas Reddy do a good job as the supporting friends with several funny scenes. Their wives, played by Shravani Lakshmi and Shalini Kondepudi, also perform well.

Production values are strong. The vintage setting is beautifully recreated, effectively portraying the early 2000s. Vivek Sagar's background score complements the narrative, and the songs are decent. Mridul Sujith Sen’s cinematography is effective, while Dharmendra Kakarala’s editing is competent, though the pacing could’ve been tighter.

Director Praveen Kandregula impresses with his vision. He successfully creates a distinct world, blending horror, fun, and family emotions. His attention to micro-details, such as references to real TV channels like “Toon Disney” or the nuanced portrayal of religious practices among friends, stands out.

Verdict:

Overall, Shubham is a film that appeals especially to family audiences, with strong resonance among women who enjoy TV serials. The performances, direction, humor, and emotions are decent and make for a passable watch this weekend.