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Agadha backdrop

Agadha

14 August 2026Telugu2h 17m

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Agadha skews negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film's execution falling short of its premise.

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M. S. Raju DirectorM. S. Raju WriterChaitanya Vege Writer
In cinemas now

A solitary girl encounters a towering twelve-handed mystical idol in a torch lit shadowy cave, creating an atmosphere of spirituality and dark intrigue.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Agadha skews negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film's execution falling short of its premise. The most consistent praise goes to lead actress Kamakshi Bhaskarla's performance, along with the film's technical craft — particularly its cinematography, forest atmosphere, and production design. Critics broadly faulted the screenplay, citing a predictable and slow-paced narrative, a weaker second half, and an inability to generate consistent fear or thrills despite an intriguing supernatural setup. A handful of reviewers acknowledged the film as a passable one-time watch for genre fans, but few considered it a satisfying or memorable horror experience.

11 rated reviews · 1 positive · 5 mixed · 5 negative

Praised: Kamakshi Bhaskarla's lead performanceCriticised: weak predictable screenplay and second half

AI-generated summary of 17 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (17)

Updated
Suhas Sistu· The Hans India
6.0
Agadha is a different take on the horror genre that manages to present a compelling narrative that keeps one engaged throughout its running time. Despite some lack of emotional quotient in parts of the film, the unique approach, suspense-filled first half, intriguing locations and solid performances, especially of Kamakshi Bhaskarla, make for an entertaining watch.
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Chetupelli Sanjiv Kumar· Hindustan Times
5.5
However, by the time the second half arrives, the film's graph dips somewhat. While answering the questions raised in the first half, the narrative takes a routine horror path. Had the screenplay been a bit stronger, the film's standard would have been different.
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అయితే ద్వితీయార్థానికి వచ్చేసరికి సినిమా గ్రాఫ్ కాస్త పడిపోతుంది. మొదటి భాగంలో వేసిన ప్రశ్నలకు సమాధానాలు ఇచ్చే క్రమంలో కథనం రొటీన్ హారర్ బాట పట్టింది. స్కీన్ ప్లే ఇంకాస్త బలంగా ఉండి ఉంటే సినిమా స్థాయి మరోలా ఉండేది.
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Sakshi Post· Sakshi Post
5.5
MS Raju's Agadha attempts to go beyond the usual horror formula by building an intriguing supernatural world around unexplained deaths, spiritual powers and a mysterious dark force. The film has its share of familiar elements, but its mythology, performances and visual effects give it a distinct identity.
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హార్రర్ సీన్లకు భయపడి సచ్చిపోతే ఎవరు సార్ గ్యారెంటీ! (If you get scared by horror scenes, who can guarantee your safety!) — a cautionary tone suggesting the film's horror elements are intense but the review fragment provided does not contain a clear evaluative verdict about the film's overall quality.
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TeluguOne· TeluguOne
5.0
An interesting horror concept held back by ordinary execution and casting. The fully serious narrative could have benefited from a more gripping screenplay and better casting choices for the supporting roles to elevate the atmosphere. However, the film lacks the intense, chaotic energy that a subject like this demands, and the production values feel a bit inadequate.
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Bhargav Chaganti· NTV Telugu
5.0
If you watch without expectations, Agadha might appeal to thriller lovers.
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ఎలాంటి అంచనాలు లేకుండా చూస్తే 'అగధ' థ్రిల్లర్ లవర్స్‌కు నచ్చొచ్చు. (If you watch without expectations, 'Agadha' might appeal to thriller lovers.)
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Peddinti· AP7AM
4.5
The basic ideas are not particularly new, and the slow-paced narration reduces the impact in several portions. The forest atmosphere, cave sequences, graphics, cinematography and production values allow MS Raju to leave his mark despite the familiar storyline.
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Venkat Arikatla· Great Andhra
4.5
Agadha does not provide excitement. It neither scares nor thrills consistently. Apart from the kala tantra episode and a few portions in the second half, it remains a routine horror drama.
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Divya Shree· Times Of India
4.0
Agadha is a decent one-time watch for horror fans, but its predictable storyline keeps it from becoming a memorable film.
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Kalyan· M9News
4.0
Agadha, despite its unique setup and potential to thrill, doesn't quite deliver. It labours to establish the mythos and world, then fails to elevate it with the required scares and highs despite the visible content. Old-fashioned making with no emotional connection makes it a boring watch.
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Banda Prakash· Deccan Chronicle
3.0
While the film has an interesting idea at its core and creates some curiosity initially, its outdated treatment and predictable second half dilute its impact. The biggest problem is that Agadha's intriguing premise is buried beneath a dated screenplay. Agadha has an intriguing supernatural world and a committed performance from Kamakshi Bhaskarla, but it needed a sharper screenplay, stronger suspense and more effective scares to leave a lasting impression.
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Eenadu· Eenadu
Not rated
After a long time, a film made with the sole aim of spreading only fear and thrill... 'Agadha'. Though one may wish for the pace befitting thriller films in this one... with an engaging story world and scenes packed with depth, the film has largely achieved its objective.
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చాలా రోజుల తర్వాత కేవలం భయాన్ని, థ్రిల్‌ని పంచడమే లక్ష్యంగా రూపొందిన సినిమానే... 'అగధ'. థ్రిల్లర్ సినిమాలకి తగ్గ వేగం ఇందులో కోరవడినా... ఆసక్తిని రేకెత్తించే కథా ప్రపంచంతోనూ, గాఢతలో కూడిన సన్నివేశాల్తోనూ సినిమా చాలావరకూ లక్ష్యాన్ని అందుకుందీ చిత్రం.
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Bhumi Vashisht· SundayGuardianLive
Not rated
Agadha blends horror, mystery, spirituality and suspense into a dark supernatural thriller. Directed by MS Raju, the film stands out for Kamakshi Bhaskar's emotional performance, while its unexpected twists keep the mystery alive and viewers guessing what is real and supernatural.
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Not rated
The real problem begins in the second half itself. In the dialogue, the evil force is described very fearfully, but on screen they have somewhat failed to generate that level of fear.
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అసలు సమస్య ద్వితీయార్థంలోనే మొదలవుతుంది. మాటల్లో దుష్టశక్తి గురించి చాలా భయంకరంగా వర్ణించారు కానీ, తెర మీద ఆ స్థాయిలో భయాన్ని పుట్టించడంలో కాస్త విఫలమయ్యారు.
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123Telugu Team· 123Telugu
Not rated
Agadha is a below-par horror thriller with a decent premise, but the storytelling isn’t up to the mark. Kamakshi Bhaskarla is neat in her role, while the rest of the cast are decent. The thrills are missing, as one would expect in such a film. There are only a few moments that hold our attention, but overall, the movie falls short of being satisfactory.
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Suresh Kavirayani· Cinema Express
Not rated
Technically good with a few thrills here and there
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Not rated
The impressive craft in Agadha is undeniable, but does that make it a genuinely satisfying, value-for-money horror film? Not quite. While the technical crew appears ready to push the bar despite the limitations, and Kamakshi is at home shouldering the proceedings, the writing does not complement their efforts.
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Cast & Crew

Details

Release Date
14 August 2026
Runtime
2h 17m
Language
Telugu

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