Athidhi Web Series Review
Rating: 2.5/5
Actors: Venu Thottempudi, Avantika, Aditi Gautham, Venkatesh Kakumanu, Ravi Varma, Bhadram etc.
Cinematography: Manoj Katasani
Music by: Kapil Kumar
Producer: Praveen Sattaru
Written and Directed by: Bharat YG
Release Date: September 19, 2023
OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hot Star
Episodes: 6
'Swayamvaram' and 'Chirunavtu' laid a strong foundation for Venu Thottempudi as the hero. After that, he did many films. Why did he get a gap? After some years, NTR made a re-entry as a character artist with 'Dammu'. Last year he acted in 'Rama Rao On Duty'. Now introduced to OTT with the 'Athidhi' web series (Athidhi Web Series Hotstar). This is an exclusive original series made for Disney Plus Hot Star! Produced by director Praveen Sattaru.
Athidhi Web Series Story:
Ravi (Venu Thottempudi) and Sandhya (Aditi Gautam) live in a big house. Ravi is watching his wife as her legs are dead. Maya (Avantika) comes to that house on a rainy night. Then YouTuber Saveri (Venkatesh Kakumanu) also arrives. Saveri, who came to make a video of the ghost house near Ravi's house, saw a ghost and came to Ravi's house with his life in his palm. Prakash (Ravi Varma) comes behind them.
Saveri fears that Maya is a ghost who has come to haunt him. Ravi says she is not a ghost. Is Maya really a ghost? Or is there someone else who is the real ghost? Has anyone actually seen Ravi's wife Sandhya? Or? Is it true that there are ghosts in the area? Is it a lie? - To know the answers to these questions, watch the 'Atithi' web series.
Athidhi Web Series Analysis:
Ghosts and ghosts are shown in the majority of series and movies as things that scare people. 'Anando Brahma' Think Different! Demons are afraid of humans in it. Oddly enough, it has been projected on the screen that demons are bad. But, for a change... 'Atithi' is a series based on the concept that there are good ghosts too.
Not much can be revealed about the story and narrative except to say that the ghost is good in 'Atithi'. If you do... the whole story is likely to be known. Those who hope to watch the web series will spoil their interest by giving spoilers. So... director and writer Bharat did not do anything new.
Director Bharat started the 'Athithi' interestingly. The first two or three episodes created curiosity about the story. Later that curiosity did not continue. That's the reason... they took a good ghost concept but the story and scenes were not interesting. Thrills are not real. He said in a dialogue with Venu that he should not look for logic in horror series and movies. Too many twists are predictable. After the major twist is revealed... some movies released in Telugu and Hindi also come to mind. The two stories in the middle are better than the original story!
There is nothing new in 'Atithi' in terms of narrative. The story wise...good ghost concept, nothing but the message at the end. Bharat has handled the starting scenes and episodes well. Praveen Sattaru's production values are good. Venu House set is good. In the end, when the Maharaja came to the scenes, they compromised. Be more careful there. The cinematography is good. Background music doesn't matter.
Athidhi Web Series Actors Performance:
Venu Thottempudi acted as com & composed. Not even a step forward... beyond the role of hero Ravi! His acting is simple. That's what the character needs! Especially his appearance is a plus for 'Atithi'. Aditi Gautam acted in the role of Sandhya. Nothing new has been done.
Avantika impressed with the role of Maya. She appeared in the first and third episodes as a woman who deceives with beauty. After that, he was impressed with the performance. Doing such a character is nothing new for Ravi Varma. Venkatesh Kakuman has a slightly longer character. He is okay with that. The scope of Bhadram's role is less. He didn't get a chance to laugh.
Finally, a slightly different 'Athidhi' from the regular horror series. Fewer thrills & horror moments. But, there are engaging episodes and scenes. Among the actors, Venu Thottempudi, Avantika, and Venkatesh Kakumanu's performances and those roles are memorable. If you start without any expectations... you will see slowly.