Table of Contents

Cast: Naresh Agasthya, Megha Akash, Shiju Menon, Tarak Ponnappa, Raghu Kunche, Amit Tiwari, Mukhtar Khan, and others (Vikkatakavi Review)

Director: Pradeep Maddali

Music Director: Ajay Arasada

Cinematography: Shoaib Siddiqui

Editor: Sai Babu Talari

Producer: Rajani Talluri

OTT Platform: Zee5

Young actor Naresh Agasthya has gained significant recognition among Telugu audiences with movies like Mathu Vadalara, Senapathi, and Panchatantram. His latest series Vikatakavi, directed by Pradeep Maddali, has now started streaming on OTT. Megha Akash stars as the female lead, alongside notable performances by Shiju Abdul Rashid, Raghu Kunche, Amit Tiwari, Mukhtar Khan, and Tarak Ponnappa. The series is available on Zee5. How does this series fare? Does it captivate OTT viewers? Let’s explore in this review.

Plot

The story is set in the 1970s. Ramakrishna (Naresh Agasthya) is a famous detective known for solving complex cases with his sharp intellect. Even the police seek his help for clearing pending cases. On the other hand, people visiting the mysterious “Devatala Gutta” (Hill of Deities) in Amaragiri village tend to lose their memories, which the locals believe is due to a curse from the goddess. A professor who learns (Vikkatakavi Review)about Ramakrishna’s detective skills challenges him to uncover the mystery behind Devatala Gutta. What did Ramakrishna discover on the hill? Why did Amaragiri zamindar’s granddaughter Lakshmi (Megha Akash) accompany him? How did their paths cross? What is the curse, and did Ramakrishna resolve it? That forms the crux of the story.

Performances

Naresh Agasthya impresses as detective Ramakrishna with his subtle yet impactful performance. His looks, dialogue delivery, and body language add weight to the character. Megha Akash delivers a commendable performance in a role that has emotional depth. Her expressions effectively convey the character’s feelings. Raghu Kunche, Shiju Abdul Rashid, Mukhtar Khan, Ashok Kumar, and Amit Tiwari perform their supporting roles adequately and blend into the narrative. Tarak Ponnappa stands out in an important role. The rest of the cast does justice to their parts within their scope.

Direction

Director Pradeep Maddali succeeds in making the series engaging. His screenplay keeps the audience intrigued and ensures that the story doesn’t deviate at any point. Each character has a purpose, and their design adds to the thrill. The way hints are provided throughout the story builds interest. Although some twists(Vikkatakavi Review) are predictable, they remain engaging. However, certain scenes could have been depicted with more intensity, which the director seems to have missed. At times, the narrative feels slow, giving a sense of drag. Some elevation shots could have been executed better to enhance the overall impact. The story occasionally feels formulaic, which could be a minor drawback.

Technical Aspects

The technical departments have delivered commendable work. Given the periodic backdrop, the art department has done an excellent job of recreating the era through set design and costume styles. The cinematography successfully transports the audience to the past. The background score is also impressive. The production values are high and commendable.