Mahendra Nath Kandla's film Viraaji, directed by Adyant Harsha and starring Varun Sandesh in the lead role, marks the actor's return to the screen. Varun Sandesh's new look in this film has attracted considerable attention, and the teaser and theatrical trailer have piqued interest.

Produced by Maha Movies – M3 Media, Viraaji released in theatres today. Let’s see how it fares.

Story:

In Viraaji, a diverse group of individuals—including a stand-up comic, a gynecologist, a hotel manager, a police officer, and a drug addict—find themselves in an abandoned mental asylum, where a mysterious host informs them they will be dead by dawn. The film explores how these characters are connected, why they are being threatened, and whether they will survive or fall victim to an enigmatic antagonist. The movie, mostly set in a single location with minimal flashbacks, delves into themes of fear, crime, and justice. To uncover more details, viewers will need to watch the film.

Analysis:

With a growing demand for thrillers, Viraaji has been crafted as a compelling survival thriller. The director has skillfully incorporated relatable issues into the plot, adding suspense to elevate the narrative. The film's brief runtime is notable, with a surprising twist revealed before the main story truly begins. The director maintains intrigue by keeping the identity of the person who brought the characters together a mystery until the end.

However, the film's overall gray tone can feel somewhat monotonous, and a more varied color palette might have enhanced the visual experience. The suspense and thriller elements up to the interval are engaging, and the director continues to impress in the second half with unexpected twists. The film’s concise length complements its storytelling approach, making it a well-suited watch for thriller enthusiasts.

Performances:

In Viraaji, Varun Sandesh delivers a compelling performance as the enigmatic character Andy, showing significant improvement, especially in the twist-revealing scenes. Balagam Jayaram as CI Murali, Raghu Karumanchi as celebrity astrologer Ramakrishna, and Viva Raghava, Ravi Teja Nannimala, among others, add humor to the thriller. Pramodini, Kakinada Nani, Phani Acharya, Aparnadevi, and Kushalini Pulapa all contribute effectively to their roles.

The film features an ensemble cast, with supporting characters also receiving substantial screen time.

Technical Department:

In the technical aspects, Ebenezer Paul's background music enhances the film, infusing it with vitality through his original score. The cinematography is competent, though a more varied color palette could have improved the visual appeal. The production values are solid.

Set in Vizag and predominantly shot in a single location, the film compensates for its budget constraints with detailed storytelling conveyed through dialogue rather than action.

Overall:

Viraaji is an engaging survival thriller. If approached without high expectations, it offers an enjoyable experience.

Rating: 3