Trikala review:
By anrwriting /Film critic
Rating: 2.75/5
In a week dominated by small-budget releases, Trikala arrives with an interesting premise, a talented cast, and an ambitious blend of mythology, horror, mystery, and family drama. Featuring Master Mahendran in the lead role alongside Shraddha Das, Ajay, Aamani, Ravi Varma, and Devi Prasad, the film attempts to explore themes of ancestral curses, destiny, and redemption. While it succeeds in creating curiosity and delivering a few effective horror moments, inconsistent storytelling prevents it from reaching its full potential.
Story:
The story begins in a royal dynasty plagued by a tragic curse. Desperate for an heir, Queen Sumitra Devi prays to Goddess Kateramma for a child. However, misguided by selfish advisors, the king commits a grave sin by participating in cow slaughter, believing it will bless him with offspring. The act results in a devastating curse upon the royal bloodline, causing future generations to be born with severe deformities and afflictions.
As generations pass, Surya Vardhan Varma (Devi Prasad) is born physically disabled. His son Vaitharan (Ajay) suffers from a rare condition that makes exposure to sunlight fatal. Forced to live in darkness throughout his life, Vaitharan grows up isolated and psychologically disturbed.
A turning point arrives when Sandhya (Aamani) enters the family as Surya Vardhan’s second wife. Her love and compassion bring stability to the household, and she becomes a mother figure to Vaitharan. However, tragedy strikes when Vaitharan murders both his father and later Sandhya herself.
What drives him to commit such horrific acts? How is Sampath (Ravi Varma) connected to the family’s downfall? Who are Shiva (Master Mahendran) and Maya (Shraddha Das), and how do they uncover the truth behind the curse? The answers unfold through a mix of supernatural mystery, investigation, and emotional revelations.
Performances:
Although Master Mahendran headlines the film, the narrative largely revolves around Ajay’s character. Ajay delivers a remarkably intense performance as Vaitharan, effectively portraying the psychological trauma and darkness within the character. His screen presence becomes one of the film’s strongest assets.
Master Mahendran performs adequately and brings sincerity to his role. Shraddha Das looks convincing as Maya, a psychology specialist and investigative journalist. Aamani delivers a heartfelt performance and lends emotional depth to the film, although the resolution of her character arc may disappoint some viewers.
Devi Prasad is convincing in his role, while Ravi Varma once again proves why he remains a dependable choice for cunning antagonist characters. Veteran actor Surya leaves a positive impression, and the late Fish Venkat’s appearance evokes nostalgia among audiences. Chatrapathi Sekhar also performs his part effectively.
Technical Aspects:
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its concept. The title Trikala and the tagline “Script of God” create expectations of a unique mythological narrative, and the story indeed possesses an intriguing foundation.
Director Mani deserves appreciation for choosing an unconventional subject. The opening portions are engaging and immediately draw viewers into the mystery. However, once the narrative shifts to the hero’s track, the screenplay becomes somewhat confusing. Despite this, the film manages to maintain audience interest through intermittent suspenseful moments.
The horror elements in the pre-interval sequence are executed effectively and are supported by a strong background score. The supernatural portions elevate the film and add much-needed momentum.
The music department presents a mixed result. While one song stands out, the background score significantly contributes to the film’s atmosphere, particularly during the horror sequences. Cinematography is another notable highlight. The flashback portions set in the royal era are visually appealing and add a sense of scale and richness to the narrative.
The production values are commendable for a small-budget film. The makers have clearly invested in casting and visual presentation, helping the film appear more ambitious than its budget might suggest.
Verdict:
Trikala is an ambitious attempt to blend mythology, horror, psychological drama, and mystery into a single narrative. The film benefits from a compelling premise, strong performances especially from Ajay and solid technical support. However, an occasionally confusing screenplay and lack of narrative clarity in the first half prevent it from becoming a truly memorable experience.
Despite its flaws, the film offers enough intriguing moments to keep viewers engaged and may particularly appeal to audiences who enjoy supernatural mysteries with mythological undertones.
Rating: 2.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
