Cast:
- Rahul Vijay
- Vedhika
- Manchu Lakshmi
- Ajay
Crew:
- Director: Teja Marni
- Producers: Shobu Yarlagadda, Prasad Devineni
- Music Director: Priyadarshan Balasubramanian
- Cinematographer: Jagadeesh Cheekati
- Editor: Karthikeyan Rohini
Related Links:
Overview:
“Yakshini,” produced by the team behind the “Baahubali” series, marks Vedhika’s debut in the OTT space. This Telugu fantasy series, also featuring Rahul Vijay, Manchu Lakshmi, and Ajay, is now streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar. Here’s our review of the show.
Story:
Maya (Vedhika), a Yakshini cursed by King Kubera, needs to kill 100 humans to return to her home, Alkapuri. The 100th victim must be a willing virgin. She meets the innocent Krishna (Rahul Vijay), falls in love, and marries him. As she prepares to kill him, Mahakal (Ajay) intervenes. The series unravels who Mahakal is, his enmity with Maya, Jwalamukhi’s (Manchu Lakshmi) role, Krishna’s awareness of Maya’s plan, and whether Maya completes her mission.
Highlights:
- Vedhika shines in her OTT debut, embodying the Yakshini role beautifully and delivering a commendable performance.
- Rahul Vijay is well-cast and performs entertainingly. Ajay, as Mahakal, adds necessary tension, while Manchu Lakshmi performs adequately in her role.
- The supporting cast is effective in their roles.
Drawbacks:
- The series, though a mix of fantasy, thrills, and comedy, falls short in narrative strength.
- The plot, despite an engaging start, becomes predictable and loses momentum by the fourth episode. The final episode feels unnecessarily extended.
- The screenplay lacks the necessary twists and turns, resulting in a straightforward and sometimes monotonous storyline.
- Manchu Lakshmi’s character could have benefitted from more depth and emotional resonance, as could the relationship between Vedhika and Rahul Vijay.
Technical Review:
- Teja Marni’s direction shows potential, but the screenplay lacks the engagement needed to elevate the story.
- Considering the producers’ previous work on “Baahubali,” the CGI in “Yakshini” is a letdown.
- Priyadarshan Balasubramanian’s music and Jagadeesh Cheekati’s cinematography are satisfactory.
- The production quality is good, though the editing could use refinement.
Verdict:
“Yakshini” is a six-episode fantasy series that entertains in parts. Despite strong performances from Vedhika, Rahul Vijay, and Ajay, the straightforward plot and lack of engaging screenplay make it predictable. The subpar CGI and lack of emotional depth are significant drawbacks. Fans of fantasy dramas should temper their expectations, while others might consider alternative entertainment.