Fri Feb 28 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Adi Pinishetti’s “Sabdham” Offers a Mixed Bag of Thrills and Frustrations

**Hyderabad, March 1, 2025** – The much-anticipated horror film “Sabdham,” starring Adi Pinishetti and directed by Arivalagan and Venkatachalam, has hit theaters. The film, touted as a follow-up to the successful horror thriller “Vaishali,” utilizes sound as a central horror element. While delivering some genuinely frightening moments, “Sabdham” also leaves viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

The film centers on Vyooma Vaidyalingam (Adi Pinishetti), a paranormal investigator summoned to a medical college in Munnar where students are dying under mysterious circumstances. His investigation leads him to suspect Avantika (Lakshmi Menon), a lecturer at the college, and a chilling secret hidden within the central library, involving 42 spirits. The narrative unravels the connection between these spirits, Avantika, and the college’s past, particularly its former chairwoman, Dr. Diana (Simran), and Nancy Daniel (Laila).

The first half effectively builds suspense, with several genuinely terrifying sequences that will thrill horror enthusiasts. Adi Pinishetti delivers a compelling performance as the serious and dedicated investigator. Lakshmi Menon’s portrayal of Avantika is also noteworthy, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

However, the second half loses some momentum. While the flashback sequences intended to reveal the mystery of the 42 spirits and their connection to the events are intriguing initially, they eventually become confusing and contribute to a feeling of redundancy. The climax, while cinematically presented, feels somewhat contrived.

While the film’s technical aspects, particularly the sound design by Thaman and the overall production values, are top-notch, the convoluted storyline in the second half and somewhat anticlimactic ending prevent “Sabdham” from reaching its full potential. While it delivers on scares in parts, the overall experience is a mixed bag. The film is recommended with caution.

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