Odela 2 Movie review

Odela 2, the 2025 Telugu supernatural thriller sequel to 2022’s Odela Railway Station, reunites director Ashok Teja with writer‑producer Sampath Nandi and stars Tamannaah Bhatia as Bhairavi, a Naga Sadhu called in to battle the vengeful spirit of serial killer Tirupati after an improper burial ritual traps his soul in Odela village. Critics and audiences alike have praised Tamannaah’s commanding presence and the film’s moody cinematography, but faulted its predictable screenplay, underwritten characters, and reliance on graphic sexual violence, leading to a mixed critical reception. Despite the star power and spiritual‑horror premise, Odela 2 underperformed at the box office—grossing just ₹7.07 crores worldwide against a ₹25 crore budget—and elicited decidedly mixed reactions on social media.

Storyline

In the rural village of Odela, Telangana, the spirit of Tirupati—an executed rapist‑murderer whose corpse was sealed rather than cremated—returns six months later as a vengeful force that possesses men and terrorizes newlywed brides, shattering the peace of the community. As fear grips Odela, the villagers first turn to Radha (Hebah Patel), Tirupati’s wife imprisoned for beheading him in the prequel, who reveals the existence of her estranged sister Bhairavi, a Naga Sadhu with divine power. Bhairavi’s dramatic arrival upends expectations: with the aid of a local Muslim baba, she confronts and ultimately subdues the malevolent spirit through a climactic ritual, though not without significant cost and a final hint toward another sequel.

Critical Reception

Overall, reviews were decidedly mixed. Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India awarded the film 2.5 stars, noting that “Tamannaah shines in an eerie but uneven spiritual thriller,” praising the atmosphere and performances but lamenting a sluggish second half and familiar tropes. Aditya Devulapally of Cinema Express gave it 1.5 stars, calling it “a spiritual horror film that’s less horror, more havoc,” lauding occasional striking visuals and intense moments but criticizing its tonal whiplash and excessive violence. Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express rated it 2 stars, describing the script as underwritten and overly reliant on perverse violence, while Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu argued that “Tamannaah Bhatia cannot salvage this outdated Telugu sequel,” despite acknowledging some engaging sequences. On social media, netizens echoed these views, praising Tamannaah’s role but branding the film a “cheap parody” of better supernatural thrillers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Tamannaah Bhatia’s performance as Bhairavi is a commanding highlight, lending gravitas to the spiritual‑horror elements.

• Cinematography effectively establishes a moody, atmospheric village setting.

• Visual effects and select supernatural sequences deliver genuine chills and occasional flair.

• Spiritual context—drawing on Naga Sadhu lore—adds cultural depth beyond typical horror clichés.

• Potential franchise setup teases further exploration of Odela’s supernatural lore.

Cons

• Predictable plot and reliance on familiar tropes undermine narrative suspense.

• Underwritten characters, aside from Bhairavi, fail to generate emotional investment.

• Excessive graphic violence and sexual content overshadow thematic purpose and alienate some viewers.

• Sluggish pacing in the second half causes engagement to wane.

• Box office shortfall, earning under ₹10 crores worldwide against its budget, marks a significant commercial disappointment.