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India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
‘Su From So' review: Kannada film aces horror comedy formula to make us laugh and scream
Thus far, Maddock Films has made a lottery out of its horror comedies Stree, Munjya and Stree 2, which cracked the fine balance of laughs with screams. Kannada film Su From So takes the same formula to delightful it does so with a wee budget and next-to-no big names and negligible visual effects makes it all the more impressive. Already the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025, collecting Rs 37 crore and giving Sandalwood (Kannada film industry) a new lease of life, the film is expanding its geographic footprint through word-of-mouth publicity. While reveling in its theatrical success, Su From So will certainly find a whole new fan base when it eventually releases on setting is a coastal village with god-fearing citizens. Director-writer J.P. Thuminad plays Ashoka who, in a desperate attempt to hide his erroneous behavior, pretends to be possessed by a ghost. What he hopes would be a distraction from punishment ends up becoming the village's obsession. Calling his spirit self Sulochana (the 'Su' of title), he soon has to contend with umpteen questionable cures, a spiritual baba (Raj B. Shetty) and the village hero and fixer Ravi Anna (Shaneel Gautham). Chaos reigns as Ashoka is entrapped in a mess of his own most engaging films in the genre, Su From So's appeal lies in its ability to intersperse a meaningful message and highlight social evils while doing so. Thuminad's script is high on wit, jibes and observational comedy, which helps in building an endearing portrait of the community and establishing the camaraderie between the folks. But the real appeal of the film lies in how well it deploys the oddball characters it has at its disposal. Everyone gets the spotlight and milks it. Alongside Gautham and Shetty, Pushparaj Bolar, Prakash Thuminad and Deepak Rai shine in this comedy of errors. The emotional heartbeat of Su From So is also a stree—Bhanu (played by Sandhya Arakere), whose entry infuses a hard punch of reality amidst the unfolding craziness. Quiet and vulnerable, she carries a dark secret as she is brought to the village to save Ashoka. Her inclusion brings much depth to the narrative and eventually becomes a clever device to have a coming-of-age arc for his directorial debut, J.P. Thuminad, who traces his roots to Tulu theatre, never veers from the organic roots of his storytelling. Contrivances are kept at bay, so are gags, and even when being silly, it's never cheesy, cheap or insulting. Lot of it boils down to the fact that Thuminad is said to have based the characters on those familiar to him, and cast actors from the same theatre troupe as his as well as newcomers. Ultimately, Su From So succeeds because it subscribes to what's now a familiar adage of filmmaking—the most personal is the most to India Today Magazine- Ends
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Su From So Karnataka Box Office Update: Kannada blockbuster heads for Rs 80 crore plus finish after excellent 3rd Saturday
Su From So, directed by JP Thuminad and starring Raj B Shetty is the biggest beneficiary of word of mouth among Kannada movies released in 2025. After opening to collections of roughly Rs 1 crore in the state of Karnataka, the movie is well set for a lifetime total of over Rs 75 crore and possibly even Rs 80 crore, based on how it holds after the release of Coolie and War 2. Su From So Adds Over Rs 4 Crore Gross In Karnataka On 3rd Saturday; Heads For A Rs 80 Crore Plus Finish After 16 days, the total Karnataka collections of Su From So stand at Rs 54 crore and by the end of the weekend, it shall be flirting with Rs 60 crore gross. The trend of the movie is such that the week 3 collections will be higher than the opening week, and just a little under the second week. The only Kannada movie of 2025 that looks to not just challege Su From So but beat it comprehensively is Kantara: Chapter 1. Kantara: Chapter 1 is a sequel film to one of the most loved Kannada movies while Su From So doesn't have any such commercial trapping. Su From So Is Also Turning It On In Kerala; Can Do Rs 10 Crore Or So In Its Lifetime Su From So has been doing exceptionally well in Kerala. The movie opened to collections of Rs 8.50 lakh. Due to excellent word of mouth, the movie's second Friday was over 7 times as much as its opening day. The lifetime collections of the movie are expected to be around Rs 10 crore. Thanks to the movie's breakout in southern states, there is a high chance that Su From So will enter the coveted Rs 100 crore gross India club. So far, only KGF, KGF 2 and Kantara have managed to gross Rs 100 crore in India. Su From So In Theatres Su From So plays in theatres. Tickets for the movie can be booked from the box office, or from online ticketing applications. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Jatadhara teaser: Sonakshi Sinha and Sudheer Babu face off in a mythic setting
Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha will next be seen in the Telugu mythical drama Jatadhara, starring Sudheer Babu in the lead role. The teaser offers a glimpse into a world steeped in myth, where a battle between good and evil unfolds. Sudheer plays an ordinary man who rises to confront the demonic goddess Dhanapisachini, portrayed by Sonakshi. The dialogue-free teaser teases their fierce rivalry, framing the story as a self-contained spiritual journey set against a backdrop of a demonic uprising. Jatadhara is co-directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, with Kalyan, formerly an editor on films like Raakshasha Kaavyam and the short Tilak, making his directorial debut. The teaser, unveiled a few hours ago by 'Rebel Star' Prabhas, showcases Sonakshi Sinha in a commanding and menacing avatar, seemingly as a demon driven by revenge. Her disheveled hair and brooding eyes add to the ominous presence. Also Read | Su From So Movie Review: Raj B Shetty, JP Thuminad's satirical comedy drama is a masterclass for Bollywood and big-budget-obsessed filmmakers, studios The action set pieces unfold entirely within a temple setting, with subtle hints pointing to a connection with Lord Shiva and his eventual entry into the narrative. While some visuals and VFX in the teaser appear rough around the edges, the final film may well deliver a more polished experience. It will be interesting to see how Sonakshi Sinha's character is woven into the story, her menacing presence makes her the clear MVP of the teaser. Also Read | Freakier Friday movie review: Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis film raises racial-ethnic-mix bar, serves a bit of Karan Johar Jatadhara, backed by Zee Studios and Ess Kay Gee Entertainment, is slated to hit screens soon.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Salakaar review: This Naveen Kasturia series is a cringe-fest
In 1974, Pakistan's vaulting nuclear ambitions were spiked single-handedly by an Indian spy. And now, in 2025, the chatter around nukes is back again. Will Pak succeed this time around? How will India deal with the new threat? That's the thrust of Faruk Kabir's five-part series, 'Salakaar', reportedly based on real-life agent Ajit Doval's canny moves back in the 70s, which find a fresh airing. Said spy swans into Zia's mansion, where said leader is busy torturing a suspect, even as Project Kahuta, where the weapons of mass destruction are being built, is underway. You don't know what is more cringe-worthy: the cartoonish way in which the entire edifice collapses, or in the way, in the present day, Zia's grandson, the cruel Colonel Ashfaq (Surya Sharma) is back in the saddle, using a cricket bat to bash heads in. Actually, you could be spoilt for choice, because this whole thing is a cringe-fest. We are presented with the comely Indian agent Mariam (Mouni Roy), now working under an older Adhir (Purnendu Bhattacharya), being ferried to a secret hide-out where the new plant is under construction. She has a way of transmitting information back to New Delhi which involves a pair of glasses. Don't ask. Meanwhile, in a flashback, we see the spry Adhir, trying to get into the graces of the Pakistani establishment with one of the oldest tricks in the book, a kidnap gone wrong. Told you, don't ask. Also Read | Su From So Movie Review: Raj B Shetty, JP Thuminad's satirical comedy drama is a masterclass for Bollywood and big-budget-obsessed filmmakers, studios You may remember Rishi from the 1999 'Sarfarosh', in which John Mathew Mathan and his star Aamir Khan resurrected the spy saga: the former shone in his brief role as a patriotic Muslim. Here, you can see the flash of that actor through the exaggerated scowls: the only other actor who rises above this series is Naveen Kasturia. Both deserve better. Salakaar cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, Mukesh Rishi, Surya Sharma, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Ashwath Bhatt Salakaar director: Faruk Kabir Salakaar rating: One star
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Su From So Movie Review: Raj B Shetty, JP Thuminad's satirical comedy drama is a masterclass for Bollywood and big-budget-obsessed filmmakers, studios
Su From So Movie Review & Rating: There's a moment in the first act of JP Thuminad's satirical comedy drama Su From So where the de facto village leader, Ravi (Shaneel Gautham), fondly referred to by all as Ravi Anna, narrates a horror story to his yes-men during a drinking session. As he tells the tale 'authentically', one of the listeners frequently reminds the group, 'If you get scared (upon meeting the demon), you are done.' Particularly since the entire scene is set in a house where a funeral was held recently, the tension is palpable on everyone's faces. And in the first instance, when a noise pierces through the momentary silence around them, all of them spring up in panic, only to realise soon that they got scared for nothing. Interestingly, this scene effectively foreshadows what's about to unfold in Thuminad's directorial debut, where a bunch of naive villagers, ruled by their superstitions and age-old customs, encounter an 'unexplainable' event, following which they conveniently interpret every subsequent occurrence through the lens of their established beliefs and assume its the aftermath of the initial one, thus reinforcing their instincts. Su From So is like one of those bizarre stories that we narrate to our friends or cousins during sleepovers, where we intentionally blur the line between reality and fiction to keep them on the edge of their seats. Even though the listeners are aware that it's just a story on such occasions, they are ready to accept it without question, seeking to experience the chilling effect themselves. In a village located far, far away from the glitz of urban life, community is inseparable from people's existence. It's not just that everyone knows each other by name, but the concept of privacy is almost non-existent there, as whatever happens becomes everyone's business, which can be a blessing and a curse. Ravi Anna is the unofficial headman, whose word is final in the village. He is one of those strongmen frequently celebrated by local bards, particularly for his impressive physical strength. Though a mestri by profession, he is a jack of all trades and even knows how to conduct last rites. As the villagers' unhappening lives unfold, marked by small joys and sorrows, a sudden incident alters the fate of the entire locality. One night, to escape the consequences of a crime he committed, local youth Ashoka (Thuminad) pretends to be possessed. What he assumed would be a harmless lie ultimately affects his life, as the villagers begin to interpret all his actions through this new lens. At one point, they 'discover' that the ghost possessing him is one SUlochana From SOmeshwara (hence the title). 'All the time, she is watching something or the other on Ashoka's phone,' his mother says at one point, highlighting how even she, along with others, now scrutinise the youth's otherwise everyday actions. Ravi, meanwhile, takes this as a prestige issue after 'Sulochana' slapped him one night (it was actually Ashoka settling some old scores). Thus, he invites a renowned spiritual leader Karunakara Guru (Raj B Shetty) from Mangaluru. Things start to spiral out of Ashoka's control when the guru prescribes gruesome rituals for exorcism. Despite Ashoka claiming after a point that he is now fine, the villagers start attributing all bad occurrences around them to Sulochana, exacerbating the tension. To resolve the chaos, Ravi and a few others travel to Someshwara, where they meet Bhanu (Sandhya Arakere). Living in distress after her mother, Sulochana, passed away a few years ago, Bhanu is grappling with harassment from her uncle and other men in her native area. Hence, the news that Sulochana's spirit has 'possessed' Ashoka brings her a sense of relief, making her feel that she once again has someone with her. However, this only complicates matters further and intensifies the villagers' fears. The remainder of the story follows the various attempts of the villagers to find a solution to this predicament. One of the most interesting things about Su From So is that despite being extremely predictable — as in, the film doesn't feature even one incident, action or reaction from any of the characters that we couldn't have anticipated — the story still manages to keep the audience engaged, eager to see how the writer-director wraps up everything. Even as it traverses a very predictable path, JP Thuminad ensures that the moments are lively and vibrant, filled with situational and, at times, chaotic humour. The environment is familiar and the series of mishaps that occur highly believable, contributing to the enjoyable experience. Unlike typical mainstream films that draw heavily from successful past works, Thuminad largely focuses on the freshness of mundane actions in real life. For example, there's a shot in the movie where three people are riding on a Chetak scooter, and as it jumps over a hump in the road, the person sitting at the rear end lets out a sigh of relief as his seating position is finally set. Su From So is filled with many such relatable moments that evoke a sense of déjà vu in our own lives, adding to the film's charm. While modern filmmakers have largely moved away from assigning clear-cut heroic and antagonistic traits to their characters, instead opting to explore their greys as well, Su From So takes this concept to another level. Towards the end, the film subverts the traditional hero image by making Ashoka confront the severity of his initial crime, which ultimately led to all the chaos, by highlighting Bhanu as a victim of a similar experience at the hands of her uncle. Although his action was initially presented as a 'young man having fun', Thuminad eventually shatters this perception, indirectly calling out Ashoka and dealing him a tight metaphorical slap. This slap also lands on the faces of the many meninists among the audience who play victim many a time, saying, 'women blow things out of proportion', while ignoring their own privileges that shield them from such mistreatment and crimes. The impact of this moment is intensified by the fact that the writer-director himself has played Ashoka, emphasising the importance of unlearning. One of the film's biggest strengths lies in the performances of every actor on screen. From Shaneel, Thuminad and Sandhya to Prakash Thuminad (as Chandra), Deepak Rai Paanaaje (as Satheesh), Tanishka Shetty (as Chaithra) and even the background artistes portraying villagers, the cast elevates Su From So, creating a sense that they have coexisted in this world for decades and that it reflects their true life stories. While Raj B Shetty delivers a hilarious performance as Karunakara Guru, he also skillfully ensures that his stardom does not overshadow anyone or anything else. Instead, he simply serves as just one element in the larger tapestry, while also contributing to the film's market appeal. In a recent interview, Raj, who also co-produced the film, revealed that Su From So was made on a budget of Rs 5.5 crore, including the promotional expenses as well. This serves as a lesson not just to Bollywood, which struggles to produce smaller films and often faces mammoth debacles as a result, but also to studios and filmmakers across the country who create big-ticket films merely for the sake of it, without any substantial material to begin with. There isn't a single scene in Su From So where the visuals feel inadequate or incomplete. Thuminad carefully constructs the world of the film, demonstrating a clear vision of what to extract from each moment, proving that high-quality works can be achieved even on a small budget. Cinematographer S Chandrasekaran, editor Nithin Shetty, production designer Sushma Naik, and art directors Rajesh Kolake and Rajesh K Bandyod also deserve special recognition for their impressive contributions. Sumedh K's music and Sandeep Thulasidas' background score enhance the viewing experience further, offering a joyful ride. Su From So movie cast: Shaneel Gautham, JP Thuminad, Raj B Shetty, Sandhya Arakere Su From So movie director: JP Thuminad Su From So movie rating: 3.5 stars Anandu Suresh is a Deputy Copy Editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
