Odela 2 Movie Review: Thriller with Sparks but Lacks Fire
Released on April 17, 2025, Odela 2 is the sequel to the 2022 OTT film Odela Railway Station. Starring Tamannaah Bhatia, Hebah Patel, and Vasishta N. Simha, and directed by Ashok Teja, the film promised a gripping supernatural thriller. However, the final product offers only brief moments of intrigue amidst a largely predictable and underwhelming experience.
Story Overview:
In the mysterious village of Odela, the villagers seal the corpse of Tirupathi (Vasishta), a man who committed a string of brutal rapes and murders. But peace doesn’t last long—his vengeful spirit returns six months later, terrorizing women once again. Enter Bhairavi (Tamannaah Bhatia), a fierce Shiva Shakti, summoned to stop the evil force and bring peace back to the village. As she uncovers the truth behind Tirupathi’s death and her own ties to the village, the final battle between light and darkness unfolds.
What Works:
- Vasishta N. Simha delivers a solid performance as the antagonist, with strong screen presence and well-shot confrontations with Tamannaah.
- Tamannaah impresses in certain emotional and action scenes, especially in the second half, even though her character arrives late in the film.
- A few scenes, like the murders and the climax involving Lord Shiva, manage to stand out with decent impact.
What Doesn’t:
- The plot is thin and highly predictable, lacking fresh twists or emotional weight.
- The screenplay fails to build tension, and pacing issues affect the overall engagement.
- Tamannaah’s character could have been written with more depth; the divine and dramatic angles feel half-baked.
- Supporting characters, including Murali Sharma’s role, feel underused and poorly fleshed out.
- The music and visuals fall flat in crucial moments, and the VFX work feels dated for a supernatural thriller.
Technical Aspects:
- Director Ashok Teja tries to bring Sampath Nandi’s story to life but struggles to maintain momentum.
- B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music is serviceable but lacks high-impact moments.
- Soundararajan’s cinematography and Avinash’s editing do little to elevate the film, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily.
- The film’s production values are decent but not memorable.
Verdict:
Odela 2 offers a few scattered highlights but is ultimately a supernatural thriller that lacks punch. While Vasishta’s performance stands out and Tamannaah delivers in parts, the film falters due to a weak storyline, poor pacing, and an underdeveloped emotional core. Enter the theatre with modest expectations, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
Rating: 2.75/5
