Review: Samantha’s Subham Offers a Breezy Blend of Horror and Laughter
Release Date: May 09, 2025
Cast: Harshith Reddy, Gavireddy Srinivas, Charan Peri, Samantha, Shriya Kontham, Shravani Lakshmi, Shalini Kondepudi, Vamshidhar Goud
Director: Praveen Kandregula
Producer: Himank Duvvuru
Music: Shor Police (Songs), Vivek Sagar (Score)
Cinematography: Mridul Sujit Sen
Editing: Dharmendra Kakarala
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Samantha takes a new leap in her career with Subham, her first project as a producer. Helmed by Praveen Kandregula—best known for Cinema Bandi—this horror-comedy brings a mix of small-town flavor and supernatural intrigue to the big screen. So, does it deliver the laughs and chills it promises? Let’s find out.
Story Overview
Set in the early 2000s in the coastal village of Bheemili, Subham revolves around Srinivas (Harshith Reddy), a humble cable operator who marries Srivalli (Shriya Kontham). Their peaceful life turns upside down when, every night at exactly 9 PM, Srivalli begins to act oddly—emotionless and distant, as though she’s someone else entirely.
Srinivas soon discovers that his wife isn’t the only one showing strange behavior. Several women in the village are going through the same mysterious transformation. As he digs deeper, a strange link between these nightly episodes and an old TV serial begins to surface. What lies behind this eerie phenomenon? That forms the crux of the film.
What Works
The film’s core idea—tying horror to nostalgia via a TV serial—is both clever and unique. It lends a familiar charm to the plot, especially for audiences who grew up in that era. The humor sprinkled throughout the film is light and enjoyable, striking a balance between spooky and silly.
Harshith Reddy and Shriya Kontham deliver sincere performances, with a natural chemistry that holds the film together. Comic relief comes from Gavireddy Srinivas and Charan Tej, whose timing and expressions help keep things lively.
Shalini Kondepudi and Shravani Lakshmi also deserve mention for their convincing portrayals of supportive yet quirky spouses. Their scenes, filled with warmth and wit, add emotional grounding to the chaos.
What Doesn’t
While the premise is solid, the execution doesn’t always keep pace. The first half moves briskly, but the narrative begins to meander as the story progresses. Some scenes drag on, and the humor occasionally feels forced. The film regains momentum in the latter half, but several sequences feel formulaic and predictable.
Character development is somewhat uneven. While the main leads are fleshed out, supporting characters don’t get the same attention. Stronger writing and tighter storytelling would’ve elevated the overall impact.
Samantha’s much-anticipated cameo feels underwhelming. Instead of adding star power, the character comes off as unnecessary and her dialogues lack punch, missing an opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Technical Highlights
Director Praveen Kandregula attempts an unconventional genre mix and partly succeeds. Mridul Sujit Sen’s visuals match the quirky tone, while Vivek Sagar’s score amplifies the eerie yet playful mood. The songs by Shor Police are passable, though not particularly memorable. Editing could have been sharper—certain scenes could’ve been trimmed for better pacing.
The production values are modest but suit the film’s grounded setting, keeping it visually authentic without going overboard.
Final Verdict
Subham may not be a game-changer, but it’s a pleasant watch if you go in expecting light-hearted fun with a spooky twist. Despite some pacing issues and a few missed opportunities, it manages to entertain with its relatable characters, situational comedy, and a novel plot. Families and casual moviegoers looking for a simple, no-fuss entertainer this weekend will find Subham to be a decent pick.
Rating: 3/5
