Irrational Horror Flick Under Façade Of Science Vs Belief

Cast: Aadi Saikumar, Archana Iyerr, Madhunandan, Praveen, Annapoornamma, Swasika Vijay, Harsha Vardhan, Ravi Varma, Rangadham, Ayesha Mariam, Shivakarthik Danda Director: Ugandhar Muni Rating: 1.5/ 5 stars In ‘Shambhala,’ actor Aadi Saikumar plays a geoscientist and a staunch atheist, but his eventual transformation into a theist and believer feels forced and illogical. This lack of convincing transition reflects the film’s broader problem with logic. What begins as a potentially interesting debate between science and belief soon drifts into a routine and clichéd horror narrative. The initial conflict involving Lord Shiva and an Asura—where their respective drops of sweat create positive and evil forces at a place called Sambhalla—sets the tone. While the director claims creative liberty, the unnecessary inclusion of gods, goddesses, and repeated references to Vastu Shastra (which lacks scientific validation) dilutes the narrative further. For a film that positions itself as a science-versus-belief thriller, such elements only weaken its credibility. Director Ugandhar Muni attempts to blend spirituality with horror, reiterating the familiar idea that good-hearted humans remain unaffected by evil forces if they resist temptation. Unfortunately, this message is stretched into a tiring two-and-a-half-hour ordeal. Except for a few goosebump-worthy moments, the film expects audiences to accept irrational and superstitious happenings as reality—an approach that feels uncalled for. In a time when unscientific ideas are increasingly justified in mainstream cinema, Sambhalla also glorifies mystical occurrences while overlooking logic and sensibility. One glaring example is a cow producing blood instead of milk. A veterinarian attributes it to a stomach issue, but the director conveniently sidesteps this explanation and suddenly focuses on Sushumna Nadi, an energy channel from yogic tradition, pushing the narrative further into pseudoscience. The story unfolds when a meteor falls in a village, coinciding with the bizarre incident involving the cow, triggering panic among villagers. The geology department sends Aadi’s character to investigate the meteor’s true nature. However, he finds a village gripped by fear and blind belief in mystical happenings. Following multiple deaths, even the rational scientist turns into a believer, chasing supernatural elements tied to the land. Aadi Saikumar, who has been struggling for hits, chooses a seasonal supernatural thriller, but the plot remains highly fictional and unrelatable. Archana Iyerr gets scope to perform in the second half and delivers a decent act. Madhunandan shines in a crucial role, effectively portraying varied emotions. Ravi Varma is convincing in a terrifying role, while veteran Annapoornamma lends credibility with her experience. Harsha Vardhan and Praveen appear briefly but make their presence felt. The film had the potential to explore an engaging clash between science and belief, but it settles for familiar horror tropes, excessive mysticism, and shaky logic.



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