Su From So Light Laughs Meet Predictable Village Horror

 

Release Date: August 8, 2025
Genre: Horror-Comedy
Director: J. P. Thuminad
Production Studio: Lighter Buddha Films (Produced by Raj B. Shetty)
Main Cast: Shaneel Gautham (Ravanna), J. P. Thuminad (Ashok), Sandhya Arakere, Prakash Thuminad, Raj B. Shetty (Swamiji)

Spoiler-Free Plot Summary:
Set in the superstitious village of Marlur, Su From So centers on Ashok (Thuminad), who becomes the subject of panic when villagers believe he's possessed by a ghost named Sulochana from neighboring Someshwara. Enter Ravanna (Gautham), a level-headed local who investigates the bizarre occurrence. The film blends rural folklore, social commentary, and slapstick humor as Ravanna unravels the truth behind the "possession," questioning whether it's supernatural terror or human trickery.

Critical Evaluation:

Acting & Chemistry:
Shaneel Gautham is the film's standout, delivering a restrained yet compelling performance as the skeptical Ravanna. His grounded presence anchors the chaos. J. P. Thuminad (also directing) is serviceable as Ashok but feels underutilized. Raj B. Shetty injects energy in a brief cameo as Swamiji, though his screen time is limited. The supporting cast (Prakash Thuminad, Deepak Rai Paanaaje) leans into broad, village-stereotype humor. Chemistry is functional but lacks spark, with Gautham often carrying scenes single-handedly.

Technical Execution:

Cinematography (S. Chandrasekaran): Captures the rustic village aesthetic adequately but lacks visual flair or atmospheric tension needed for horror. Night scenes feel flat.

Music (Sumedh K, Sandeep Thulasidas): The folksy background score suits the setting but fails to elevate scares or comedy. Songs are forgettable.

Screenplay & Pacing: The biggest weakness. The premise is simple but stretched thin, with repetitive gags and underdeveloped social messaging. The first half drags; the second improves slightly with situational humor but remains predictable.

Direction (Thuminad): Shows promise in creating authentic rural ambiance but struggles to balance horror and comedy. Horror elements lack tension, while jokes rely heavily on regional slang that doesn’t fully translate.

Strengths:
Authentic village atmosphere and relatable rural characters
Shaneel Gautham’s earnest, charismatic lead performance
Moments of genuine situational comedy in the latter half
Raj B. Shetty’s lively cameo adds a brief spark

Weaknesses:
Horror-comedy blend feels unbalanced: neither scary nor consistently funny
Overly familiar plot with zero surprises (feels like a Telugu "Anando Brahma" retread)
Weak horror execution; no suspense or dread
Cultural humor loses impact in Telugu translation
Pacing issues and excessive side characters clutter the narrative

Comparison & Audience Appeal:
Tonally similar to Telugu horror-comedies like Anando Brahma or Gorintaku, but lacks their punch or novelty. The rural setting echoes Kumari 21F without its visual style. Fans of Raj B. Shetty’s Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana may be disappointed by the shallow storytelling. Primarily appeals to viewers seeking undemanding, village-based humor – but even this demographic may find it overly generic.

Box Office & Reception:
Released quietly in Telugu after its Kannada run. Early audience reactions highlight its "timepass" quality but criticize the lack of scares and originality. The Telugu version faces an uphill battle against established local templates in this genre.

Su From So is a passable but forgettable entry in the village horror-comedy genre. While Shaneel Gautham’s performance and sporadic laughs offer modest entertainment, its weak horror elements, formulaic plot, and cultural disconnect in translation prevent it from leaving a mark.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Wait for Streaming. The film’s modest production values and inconsistent humor don’t justify a theatrical experience. It’s best suited as casual weekend viewing on OTT for undemanding fans of rural comedies – but keep expectations low.