Cast: Rajendra Prasad, Srikanth, Poojitha Ponnada, Divi Vadthya, Suman, Arjun Ambati, and others
Director: Maggie
Producer: TG Vishwa Prasad
Music Director: Suresh Bobbili
Cinematography: Vijay Ulaganath (Harikatha OTT Review)
Editor: Junaid Siddiqui
This week, several small films hit the theaters, along with the release of various series and movies on OTT platforms. Among them, Disney+ Hotstar released a suspense thriller series titled Harikatha, featuring legendary actor Rajendra Prasad and actor Sriram, among others. Produced by People Media Factory, let’s see how this series fares in our review.
Storyline of Harikatha
The plot of this series is set in the 1980s and 1990s, portraying a tribal story that takes place in the Araku region. In a village in Araku, Dasu grows up, and a young man named Hari (Suman), who belongs to a lower caste, gets entangled in a murder case and is sent to jail. Meanwhile, Rangachari (Rajendra Prasad) lives in the same village, believing in God. Under the banner of his “Rangachari Nataka Mandali,” he performs plays based on the ten avatars (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu. However, mysteriously, brutal (Harikatha OTT Review)murders begin to happen in sync with the specific avatar being depicted in the plays. As a result, the villagers strongly believe that it is God himself who is committing these murders in different avatars. In this context, police officer Virat (Srikanth) begins to suspect Rangachari. Who is behind these murders? Why are they doing this? Who is responsible for the death of Virat’s friend, the village’s sub-inspector (Arjun Jayath)? What tragedy took place in Rangachari’s life? To find out all these answers, you must watch the series.
Highlights of the Series
The idea of associating a series of murders with God’s avatars is an impressive concept. Several scenes that carry a devotional touch give goosebumps. The suspenseful scenes surrounding the murders are well-executed. The attempt to portray natural emotions and the decision to design the deaths of individuals in line with each avatar is noteworthy.
Performances and Characters
When it comes to performances, veteran actor Rajendra Prasad deserves special mention. In the past, he mesmerized audiences by playing Lord Krishna’s role in the movie Kannaiah Kittayya. In this series, he plays the role of an elderly man who performs stage plays, and through those plays, he takes on various avatars of Lord Vishnu. His acting prowess and energy are clearly visible in these roles. The young actor who played the role of Dasu also delivered a strong performance in the series.
The young actress who played the role of Rajendra Prasad’s granddaughter impressed with her decent looks and good performance. Another prominent actor, Srikanth, showcased his acting abilities with ease. He handled several serious scenes with great emotional depth. Additionally, some of the devotional scenes(Harikatha OTT Review) in the series are heartwarming. The last three episodes, in particular, are filled with emotional moments that touch the audience. The connection established between the characters of Srikanth, Rajendra Prasad, and Dasu is well-executed. Along with them, Poojitha Ponnada and the other supporting cast also performed well.
Drawbacks of the Series
Although the concept of mixing devotion with a murder mystery is good, turning it into a routine revenge drama can be slightly disappointing. Some of the emotional scenes are well-executed, but a few feel repetitive. This makes the audience wish for a more intense conflict in the series.
Some scenes could have been designed with higher emotional impact. A few sequences come across as overly dramatic. For instance, a sudden fight sequence involving Divi Vadthya feels exaggerated. Similarly, the character of Dasu has a few minor flaws. Certain songs also feel unnecessary in the series.
Technical Aspects of Harikatha
The production values of this series are average. The village backdrop, cinematography, and set work are decent. However, the VFX in the series is weak and could have been improved. More effort should have been put into the VFX sequences. The title cards related to the Dashavatara are well-designed. Suresh Bobbili’s music is okay, and Junaid Siddiqui’s editing is decent. The editing could have been tighter, with faster-paced narration.
Director Maggie deserves credit for designing the murder sequences based on the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. While the murder mystery concept works well, the plot eventually turns into a routine revenge drama. The storyline about a girl being assaulted by several men and then killed is a familiar trope. However, the addition of a devotional touch to this plot is what makes it slightly different. Maggie’s screenplay works well, especially when connecting the dots and giving proper justification to the series’ title.
Verdict: Should You Watch Harikatha?
Overall, Harikatha can be described as a routine revenge drama. The concept of God committing murders is intriguing, and the suspense elements work to some extent. While the devotional aspects are decent, the revenge plot feels too familiar. Hence, it is a one-time watch for those with minimal expectations.
