Odela 2 Movie Review : Tamannaah shines in an eerie but uneven spiritual thriller

Story: Bhavani aka Bhairavi (Tamannaah Bhatia), a fierce devotee of Lord Shiva who lives by the Aghora tradition, is summoned to Odela by the villagers when newlywed brides begin dying under supernatural circumstances. The force is revealed to be the spirit of Tirupati (Vasishta N. Simha), a sadistic serial killer whose reign of terror continues even after death. Bhairavi, embodying divine rage, must confront this evil in a battle where spirituality meets the supernatural.

Review: Ashok Teja’s Odela 2, penned by Sampath Nandi, attempts to combine horror, spirituality, and rural folklore into a gripping tale of good versus evil. The setup is atmospheric—the village, with its temples, chants, and rituals, is captured well, lending an authentic texture to the story.

Odela 2 opens with a chilling and promising start—a blood-soaked girl walks into a police station holding a severed head. The gruesome image instantly sets the tone and brings back the eerie vibe of Odela Railway Station, its predecessor. As the camera pans into the heart of Odela, the filmmakers invest in establishing the culture, rituals, and lifestyle of the village, drawing viewers into a world steeped in tradition and dread.

Tamannaah breaks away from her glamorous screen image, sinking into the intense role of Bhairavi with conviction. Her performance is fierce and grounded. Vasishta N. Simha is suitably menacing, while Hebah Patel adds an emotional layer, though her presence is limited. The supporting cast delivers solid performances across the board.

Technically, the film has its moments. Soundararajan’s cinematography bathes the visuals in a gloomy, ominous palette. The visual effects, while inconsistent, reflect commendable effort. Ajaneesh Loknath’s score is evocative and heightens the tension at key moments.

However, Odela 2 is not for the faint-hearted—the film is rife with gore, bloodshed, and violent spiritual encounters. The horror sequences rely on familiar tropes and gradually lose their edge. The second half, in particular, drags and suffers from a lack of narrative urgency. Fortunately, the climax redeems the film to an extent, offering an emotionally charged and visually impactful payoff.

Despite its flaws, Odela 2 is a bold attempt to push genre boundaries in Indian cinema. Watch it for Tamannaah’s powerful transformation and the rooted horror setting. But don’t expect a consistently gripping ride—this one’s more atmospheric than arresting.