Movie Name: Shambhala
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Aadi Saikumar, Archana Iyer, Sijju, Swasika, Madhunandhan and others
Director: Ugandhar Mani
Produced By: Rajashekhar Annabhimoju and Mahidhar Reddy
Release Date: 25th December 2025
Aadi Saikumar stars as the lead in Shambhala, produced by Rajashekhar Annabhimoju and Mahidhar Reddy under the Shining Pictures banner. Directed by Ugandhar Muni, the film generated considerable buzz recently, and here’s our review.
Story:
Set in the 1980s, a meteor crashes into a small village called Shambhala. Soon after, villagers begin to die under mysterious circumstances. This leads the people to believe that an evil force has brought bad luck to their village. Around the same time, Vikram (Aadi Sai Kumar), a geoscientist and an atheist, arrives in Shambhala. The story then follows how he tries to find a solution to the problem while facing strong resistance from the villagers.
Performances:
Aadi Sai Kumar makes a sincere effort in his role. Although his character is not very striking, he manages to create some curiosity. Archana Iyer fits her role well and delivers a decent performance. Swasika Vijay, Madhunanadan, Ravi Varma, Meesala Laxman, Shiju Menon, Harsha Vardhan, Shiva Karthik, Shailaja Priya, and others are adequate in their roles.
Analysis:
Directed by Ugandhar Mani, Shambhala is a fresh attempt with an interesting backstory at its core, which is narrated through a voiceover by Sai Kumar, adding intrigue by providing important details. The mystery works well in several portions, especially the cow episode and Ravi Varma’s episode. Though the film becomes repetitive at times, the screenplay keeps the audience engaged due to the central mystery surrounding the village.
But some scenes fail to make an impact, such as the pre-interval sequence involving Swasika. Certain logical and narrative questions related to the village goddess are also not handled convincingly. The emotional bond between Vikram and the villagers could have been developed better. Still, the strong mystery element prevents the film from becoming boring, and it ends on a simple note.
Positives:
- Exciting Backstory of the Village
- Thrilling Moments
- Decently Focused Screenplay
Negatives:
- Few Dragged Scenes
- Some Illogical Moments
Shambhala Review and Verdict:
Overall, Ugandhar Mani’s Shambhala is a decent mystical thriller with a focused screenplay. With better execution in a few key scenes and stronger thrilling moments, the film could have been even more effective.
