Athidhi OTT Review: Venu Thottempudi, making his OTT debut after a recent comeback to the silver screen, brings us "Athidhi," a Telugu web series written and directed by Bharath Y.G. The show features a talented cast including Avanthika Mishra, Venkatesh Kakumanu, and Aditi Gautam in pivotal roles. "Athidhi" is currently available for streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar in various Indian languages. Let's delve into this exciting new series.
Ravi Varma (played by Venu Thottempudi), a writer, resides in a mansion with his paralyzed wife, Sandhya (Aditi Gautam). On a stormy night, a mysterious woman named Maaya (Avanthika Mishra) arrives at Ravi's doorstep, seeking shelter for the night. Ravi, compassionate, welcomes her in. Meanwhile, Savari (Venkatesh Kakamanu), a YouTuber specializing in ghost-hunting videos, experiences intense fear after encountering a ghostly apparition.
Savari seeks refuge in Ravi's mansion, where he crosses paths with Maaya. Believing her to be a ghost, Savari implores Ravi to leave the mansion to preserve their lives. Who is Maaya? What secrets surround her? How will Ravi and Savari navigate this enigmatic situation? These are the questions that "Athidhi" aims to unravel.
"Athidhi" wastes no time in getting the story rolling, swiftly introducing its central characters. The backdrop of horror adds an engaging element right from the start.
Venu Thottempudi delivers a compelling performance in this horror thriller, showcasing his talent with subtle yet powerful emotions.
Avanthika Mishra shines in her role, not only for her performance but also for the meaningful societal message conveyed through her character.
Venkatesh Kakamanu's portrayal of the YouTuber Savari is endearing, leaving a lasting impression.
Aditi Gautam, known for her role in "Neninthe," delivers a decent performance in her given role.
The background score by Kapil Kumar complements the horror theme effectively. The inclusion of short stories within the series adds depth to the narrative.
While the series boasts an intriguing storyline on paper, its execution on screen falls short. There was ample opportunity to deliver thrills through jump scares and other horror effects, but these were not effectively realized. The spooky elements often resort to clichés.
The series heavily relies on twists, but their execution is predictable, diminishing their impact. Some twists can be anticipated due to the way certain scenes are presented.
The conclusion of the series is disappointing, with rushed pacing, abrupt scene endings, and a lack of detail in certain aspects of the plot.
Kapil Kumar's background score enhances the impact of several scenes, adding depth to the storytelling.
Manojh Katasani's cinematography is praiseworthy, capturing the essence of the series effectively.
While the series maintains a fast pace throughout, the rushed conclusion leaves room for improvement.
The production values of the series meet industry standards.