Rakasa Movie Review: The Fort is Interesting But Getting There Takes Too Long
Okay so when you see a fort, a demon, and a horror setup in the trailer — you naturally expect a horror film right?
That is exactly what I thought going in.
But Rakasa is not really a horror film. It is more of a fantasy comedy. And once you accept that — the film actually becomes enjoyable in parts.
Here is the full honest breakdown.
What Is The Film About
Veerabhabu — called Veeru — played by Sangeeth Shobhan comes back from America with a lot of excitement. He is in love with a girl back home and cannot wait to meet her.
Except — she is about to marry someone else.
So Veeru teams up with his friend Balu played by Getup Sreenu and tries everything to stop that wedding.
During all this chaos they run into Subbalakshmi — played by Nayan Sarika — a childhood friend. And obviously love slowly starts growing between Veeru and Subbalakshmi.
Now here is the interesting part of the story.
Near the village there is an old fort with a dark reputation. The belief is that a demon lives inside and demands a human sacrifice. After three warning signs appear, the entire village picks one person and sends them into the fort. If they do this — the village is safe. If not — the demon destroys everything.
Unexpectedly — Veeru ends up being the one who has to go into the fort.
Does he come back? What do Subbalakshmi and Balu do to save him? What is the actual history of the demon inside that fort?
That is the story.
First Half — Honestly a Bit Slow
This is the main problem with the film.
The first half — the America return, the wedding stopping attempts, the love story setup — none of it really lands hard.
It is not bad exactly. But it does not pull you in either. You are sitting there waiting for something exciting to happen.
The romance between Veeru and Subbalakshmi develops in a fairly predictable way. The comedy attempts work only occasionally.
If you go in with high expectations for the first half — you might feel a little let down.
Second Half — This Is Where The Film Wakes Up
The moment Veeru enters the fort — everything changes.
The fort sequences are genuinely well done. The atmosphere, the way the demon’s history gets revealed, the unexpected twists in the climax — all of this is engaging and entertaining.
The film manages to balance comedy and mild fear quite well in this section. Characters are scared but still funny. That combination works.
Some of the twists in the final act are actually surprising. The climax goes in a direction you probably will not see coming — and that is a genuine plus point.
Director Manasa Sharma clearly put her best work into the second half. As a female director, her sensitivity shows especially in the emotional scenes toward the end. That personal touch makes those moments feel real.
Cast — Who Stood Out
Sangeeth Shobhan fits the role well. He is comfortable in the character and handles both the lighter scenes and the more intense fort sequences with confidence. Comedy is not always his strongest point but his overall screen presence carries the film forward.
Nayan Sarika is actually very good — especially in the second half. Her role has real importance in the fort sequences and she makes the most of it. She is not just a love interest standing on the side.
Vennela Kishore — the moment he properly enters the story the comedy level genuinely goes up. His timing and screen presence add real energy to the film. A lot of the laughs in the second half belong to him.
Getup Sreenu does what he does best — fun sidekick energy, some laughs, works fine in the role.
Brahmaji and Tanikella Bharani both appear in significant roles and do their jobs well within the story.
Ashish Vidyarthi and Rohan Rai appear in supporting capacities and are adequate for what the film needs.
Technical Side — Genuinely Strong
Camera work by Raju Edurolu is one of the real highlights of this film. The fort — its look, the atmosphere, the way it is photographed — all of it is impressive. Production design is also excellent. Considering the budget involved, the world they have created feels polished and complete.
Music by Anudeep Dev is another highlight. Songs work well and the background score is effective — builds the right mood during the important scenes without overdoing it.
Editing by Anwar Ali is decent. The second half flows better than the first, which could have been tighter.
Producer Niharika Konidela has shown good instincts in choosing this kind of film. The production quality reflects care and genuine investment in the story.
What Did Not Work
The first half simply does not match the quality of the second half. The story setup — the love triangle, the wedding, the village drama — feels slow and not particularly fresh.
The concept itself — fort, demon, village sacrifice ritual — is not entirely new territory for Telugu cinema. The film does not bring a completely original idea to the table.
If the first half had been as engaging as the second, this would have been a much stronger film overall.
Should You Watch It
If you enjoy fantasy comedy films with a fun second half and do not mind a slow first hour — yes, go for it.
It is a decent film for a holiday outing, especially with younger audiences and family. The film feels like a modern fairy tale in many ways — entertaining without being too intense.
Just keep your expectations reasonable and you will have a good enough time.
Our Rating
2.75 out of 5 Stars — ⭐⭐¾
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fantasy Elements and Entertainment | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performances | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Story and Narration | ⭐⭐½ |
| Technical Aspects and Music | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Good second half. Weak first half. Worth one watch for fantasy comedy fans.
Quick FAQs
Is Rakasa a horror film? No — it is more of a fantasy comedy. The fort and demon setting creates atmosphere but the film focuses more on entertainment than genuine scares.
Who directed Rakasa? Manasa Sharma — a female director whose work is especially visible in the emotional and climax sequences.
Is it family friendly? Yes — suitable for all ages. Children will enjoy the fantasy world elements particularly.
Who produced the film? Niharika Konidela and Umesh Kumar Bansal under their production banner.
How is the music? Anudeep Dev’s music is one of the genuine positives. Songs and background score both work well.
Is the second half actually good? Yes — the second half inside the fort is the real highlight of the entire film. Worth sitting through the first half for.
Final Thoughts
Rakasa is a film of two halves — literally.
First half is slow, familiar, and does not excite much.
Second half inside the fort is genuinely fun, visually impressive, and has some unexpected twists that land well.
Sangeeth Shobhan holds the film together. Vennela Kishore lifts the comedy. Nayan Sarika proves she is more than just a supporting role. And director Manasa Sharma has created something that feels fresh in its genre even if the story itself is not entirely original.
2.75 out of 5. A decent one time watch — go with family or friends.
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