Agadha
| Agadha | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. S. Raju |
| Written by | M. S. Raju |
| Produced by | Kasi Visalakshi Balusu |
| Starring | Kamakshi Bhaskarla Shravan Reddy Ulka Gupta Jovika Vijayakumar |
| Cinematography | Nani Chamidishetty |
| Edited by | Junaid Siddiqui |
| Music by | Mikkin Aruldev Rakesh Venkatapuram |
Production companies | Haashtag Media Sri Adi Varaha Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 137 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Box office | ₹1.44 crore[1] |
Agadha is 2026 Indian Telugu-language supernatural thriller film written and directed by M. S. Raju under Sri Adi Varaha Productions banner. It stars Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Shravan Reddy, Ulka Gupta and Jovika Vijayakumar in pivotal roles.[2]
Cast
[edit]- Kamakshi Bhaskarla as Mahadevi
- Shravan Reddy as Simha/Saleem
- Ulka Gupta as Mahima
- Jovika Vijayakumar as Harini
- Shreya Rani Reddy as Manasa
- Roshan Basheer as Sanjay
- Bhanu Chander as Mahadevi's uncle
- Vanitha Vijayakumar as Sushila
- Viva Raghava as Bablu
- Shiju
Production
[edit]The first look teaser was unveiled on 30 April 2026.[3]
Marketing
[edit]The makers of the film launched a promotional event at Balkampet Yellamma Temple for Bonam in July 2026.[4]
Release
[edit]The film was released in theatres on 14 August 2026.[5] The film received an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC.[6][7]
Critical reception
[edit]Srivathsan Nadadhur for The Hindu wrote in his review "Agadha’s female characters are either saints or victims of evil spirits. In its aim to be a layered good-versus-evil story, many characters are reduced to binaries."[8] Divya Shree of The Times of India rated the film 2/5 stars and opined "The film's ambition to create a supernatural world larger than a conventional horror narrative is evident, but the screenplay doesn't always deliver the surprises it promises."[9]
Chetupelli Sanjiv Kumar for Hindustan Times rated the film 2.75/5 stars.[10] Suresh Kavirayani for Cinema Express stated "It is not a great film, but it offers a few thrills and scary moments here and there."[11] Banda Prakash of Deccan Chronicle opined "The second half becomes overloaded with explanations, with characters spelling out the mythology instead of allowing the mystery to unfold naturally. Several twists are also predictable well before they arrive, weakening the suspense."[12]
Suhas Sistu of The Hans India stated "The forest scenes in the second half are engaging while the action-filled episode set in the fields is entertaining. The third act, though, slightly loses steam before picking up pace once again to create an effective climax."[13] Bhumi Vashisht for The Sunday Guardian felt a few twists land out of nowhere and wrote "The way it is directed also stays tense, so even the simple scenes feel like they’re going to turn into something major."[14]
Sakshi Post reviewer rated the film 2.75/5 stars and opined "The CGI and visual effects are another positive. They add scale to the supernatural world and help Agadha look different from a routine horror film."[15] Bhanuprasad Rangaiahgari of News18 Telugu also rated the film 2.75/5 stars.[16]
The film is also reviewed by Eenadu, NTV Telugu, and TV9 Telugu.[17][18][19]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Agadha". Sacnilk. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
- ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (2026-08-12). "MS Raju: I maintain good relationships with Mahesh, Prabhas and Venkatesh". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "'Agadha' FIRST LOOK: Jovika Vijaykumar's intense debut poster in MS Raju directorial revealed". The Times of India. 2026-05-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
- ↑ Sistu, Suhas (2026-07-26). "'Agadha' begins promotions with Balkampet Ellamma-Pochamma blessings". The Hans India. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2026-08-13). "Kamakshi Bhaskarla on her journey from medicine to Telugu cinema and 'Agadha'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ A, Rajababu (2026-08-12). "Agadha First Review: అగధ మూవీ ఫస్ట్ రివ్యూ". Filmibeat (in Telugu). Retrieved 2026-08-31.
- ↑ "Agadha Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
- ↑ Nadadhur, Srivathsan (2026-08-14). "'Agadha' movie review: Kamakshi Bhaskarla shines, but style outruns substance". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Shree, Divya (2026-08-14). "Agadha Movie Review: A Dark World With a Predictable Story". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Kumar, Chetupelli Sanjiv (2026-08-14). "Agadha Review: అగధ రివ్యూ- కామాక్షి భాస్కర్ల నటన హైలెట్- ట్విస్టులతో సాగే ఎంఎస్ రాజు డివైన్ హారర్ థ్రిల్లర్ ఎలా ఉందంటే?". Hindustan Times (in Telugu). Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (2026-08-14). "Agadha Movie Review: Technically good with a few thrills here and there". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Prakash, Banda (2026-08-14). "Agadha: A Dark Supernatural Mystery That Fails to Haunt". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Sistu, Suhas (2026-08-14). "'Agadha' review: A different take on the horror thriller genre". The Hans India. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Vashisht, Bhumi (2026-08-14). "Agadha Review: Kamakshi Bhaskar Shines In MS Raju's Divine Horror Thriller Packed With Twists And Unexpected Turns". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Agadha Movie Review and Rating". Sakshi Post. 2026-08-14. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Rangaiahgari, Bhanuprasad (2026-08-14). "Agadha Movie: 'అగధ' మూవీ రివ్యూ.. హార్రర్ సీన్లకు భయపడి సచ్చిపోతే ఎవరు సార్ గ్యారెంటీ!". News18 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "agadha Movie Review: రివ్యూ: అగధ.. ఎం.ఎస్.రాజు మిస్టిక్ థ్రిల్లర్ మెప్పించిందా?". Eenadu (in Telugu). 2026-08-14. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Chagnati, Bhargav (2026-08-14). "Agadha Review: అగధ రివ్యూ". NTV Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Varanasi, Lakshminarayana (2026-08-14). "Agadha Review: 'అగధ' సినిమా రివ్యూ.. MS రాజు మిస్టిక్ థ్రిల్లర్ ఎలా ఉందంటే?". TV9 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 2026-08-20.