Odela 2 Review: A Haunting Blend of Horror.
- Release Date : 17th May 2025
- Director : Ashok Teja
- Writer : Sampath Nandi
- Producer : Sampath Nandi
- Cast : Tamanna Bhatia, Hebah Palel, Vasishta N, Simha
Story:
Bhavani, also known as Bhairavi (Tamannaah Bhatia), is a fierce devotee of Lord Shiva who follows the Aghora tradition. When newlywed brides begin dying under mysterious and supernatural circumstances, the villagers of Odela summon her for help. The malevolent force behind these deaths is revealed to be the vengeful spirit of Tirupati (Vasishta N. Simha), a sadistic serial killer whose reign of terror persists even beyond the grave. Channeling divine rage, Bhairavi must confront this evil in a gripping battle where spirituality collides with the supernatural.
Review:
Ashok Teja’s Odela 2, written by Sampath Nandi, attempts to weave horror, spirituality, and rural folklore into a gripping tale of good versus evil. The film’s setting is rich in atmosphere—the village, with its temples, chants, and rituals, is portrayed with care, lending an authentic texture to the story.
Odela 2 opens with a chilling and compelling scene—a blood-soaked girl walks into a police station holding a severed head. The gruesome image immediately sets the tone, evoking the eerie atmosphere of its predecessor, Odela Railway Station. As the camera pans into the heart of Odela, the filmmakers take their time to immerse viewers in the village’s culture, rituals, and way of life, drawing them into a world steeped in both tradition and dread.
Tamannaah sheds her glamorous screen image and fully immerses herself in the intense role of Bhairavi, delivering a performance that is both fierce and grounded. Vasishta N. Simha is convincingly menacing, while Hebah Patel brings an emotional depth to the story, despite her limited screen time. The supporting cast also turns in solid performances, contributing to the film’s overall impact.
On the technical front, the film has its moments. Soundararajan’s cinematography cloaks the visuals in a gloomy, ominous palette that enhances the eerie atmosphere. While the visual effects are somewhat inconsistent, they reflect a commendable effort. Ajaneesh Loknath’s evocative score effectively heightens the tension at crucial moments, adding to the film’s overall mood.
However, Odela 2 is not for the faint-hearted—it’s filled with gore, bloodshed, and intense spiritual confrontations. While the horror sequences are initially effective, they rely heavily on familiar tropes and gradually lose their impact. The second half, in particular, drags and struggles with a lack of narrative urgency. Fortunately, the climax redeems the film to some extent, delivering an emotionally charged and visually striking payoff.
Despite its flaws, Odela 2 is a bold attempt to push genre boundaries in Indian cinema. It’s worth watching for Tamannaah’s powerful transformation and the film’s rooted, atmospheric take on horror. However, don’t expect a consistently gripping experience—this is a film that leans more on mood than momentum.