The Telugu-language film Masooda is a spine-chilling horror entry that successfully blends supernatural scares with a strong emotional core. Directed by debutant Sai Kiran, the movie takes a familiar premise of a teenage girl’s possession and elevates it with a unique cultural setting and grounded characters. It stands out for its earnest attempt to create fear through atmosphere and narrative rather than relying on cheap jump scares, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre looking for a slow-burn experience.

Cast and Crew

Story

The story revolves around a single mother, Neelam, and her teenage daughter, Nazia, who live a simple, peaceful life in a middle-class apartment in Hyderabad. Their sole confidant is their kind but timid neighbour, Gopi, who helps them with day-to-day odd jobs. Their humble world is turned upside down when Nazia begins to exhibit strange and unsettling behaviour, pushing a deliberately-paced drama into full horror mode.

As Nazia’s condition worsens, Neelam, a science teacher, finds her rational beliefs challenged. She is forced to look beyond modern medicine and seek the help of exorcists to save her daughter. They uncover a chilling truth that Nazia’s possession is linked to a series of gruesome murders that haunted the Chittoor district in the late 1980s and a mysterious, vengeful spirit named Masooda. The narrative effectively peels back the layers of this past tragedy, connecting it to the present-day horror.

Review

Masooda is a deft horror film that raises questions about the definition of family and a mother’s resilience beyond conventional boundaries. The film’s strength lies in its ability to remain rooted, allowing the audience to connect deeply with its characters before the horror unfolds. Director Sai Kiran makes excellent use of the world he has built, easing the audience into the ordinary lives of the characters, which makes the supernatural invasion feel all the more terrifying and real.

The screenplay takes its time to build tension, establishing a strong sense of dread. While this slow-burn approach is largely effective, the film’s lengthy runtime of 160 minutes feels long-drawn at points, particularly in the final act where the narrative seems to lose some steam. Furthermore, the film concludes on a note that feels somewhat incomplete, seemingly holding its cards for a potential sequel, which might not sit well with all viewers. Despite these pacing issues, the story remains engaging and the local flavour adds a refreshing layer to the genre.

Technical Aspects

The technical team behind Masooda deserves special praise for creating a moody, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Cinematographer Nagesh Banell captures the middle-class setting in warm hues during the day, which starkly contrasts with the blues and reds of the night, masterfully using light and darkness to build an unsettling atmosphere. The use of rundown buildings, spooky forests, and flickering lights adds to the visceral experience.

Prashanth R Vihari’s background score is a monumental achievement. It shifts gears from comforting melodies to uneasy silences, where the smallest sound becomes a source of terror. The score doesn’t just accompany the scenes but actively elevates them, scaring the hell out of the audience without always resorting to loud, sudden noises. The sound design and art direction, including rotting walls and cluttered streets, further denote the decaying state of affairs both in the physical world and the spiritual one.

Performances

The performances across the board are sincere and effective, lending credibility to the supernatural drama. Sangeetha, as Neelam, delivers a powerful performance as the mother who must gather immense courage to save her child. She beautifully portrays the conflict of a science believer forced to rely on faith, making her character’s journey relatable and heart-wrenching.

Thiruveer enacts the role of Gopi with sincerity and a tinge of innocence. His character, who is essentially a cowardly neighbour, evolves throughout the film, and Thiruveer is effective in expressing fear while also showcasing the resolve to help those in need. Bandhavi Sridhar is given a difficult role as the possessed Nazia, which she handles remarkably well, balancing vulnerability with terrifying aggression without slipping into caricature. The supporting cast, including Subhalekha Sudhakar as Rizwan Baba, also pull off their roles with ease.

OTT Release

For those who prefer watching movies at home, Masooda is officially available for streaming online. You can watch the film on the OTT platform aha . It has also been listed as available on Prime Video in some regions, so it is worth checking your local Prime Video library as well .

Rating

4 out of 5 stars

Masooda earns a strong 4 out of 5 for its atmospheric horror, strong technical craftsmanship, and compelling performances, particularly from Sangeetha and Bandhavi Sridhar. The one-point deduction is for its occasionally long-drawn narrative and an ending that may leave some viewers wanting more closure. However, it remains a well-made horror offering and a refreshing entry in the Indian horror genre.

Conclusion

Masooda is a confident and chilling horror drama that proves a strong story and characters can be more frightening than visual effects. If you are a fan of slow-burn, atmospheric horror that doesn’t shy away from gore and is grounded in emotional reality, this one’s for you. Just be prepared for a lengthy, and at times, incomplete-feeling journey that nonetheless delivers a powerful punch.