Bakasura Restaurant Movie Review: A Half-Baked Horror Comedy That Struggles to Satisfy
Sarkar Rating:3/5 Release Date : Aug 08, 2025
Cast
Praveen , Harsha Chemudu ,Garuda Ram,Krishna Bhagawan, Shining Phani
Crew
Director : SJ Shiva
Producers : Lakshmaiah Achari ,Janardhan Achari
Music Director : Vikas Badisa
Cinematographer : Bala Saraswathi
Editor : Marthand K. Venkatesh
Bakasura Restaurant is a Telugu-language horror comedy headlined by comedians Praveen and Harsha Chemudu. With an intriguing premise involving ghost-hunting and get-rich-quick schemes, the film promises a blend of laughs and chills. But does it deliver the goods or leave audiences hungry for more?
Story:
Paramesh (Praveen), a middle-class software engineer, lives in Hyderabad with four roommates. Despite struggling financially, he harbors big dreams of opening a restaurant of his own. With things not going their way, the group turns to making ghost-hunting videos for YouTube, hoping to earn quick money and viral fame.
During one of these spooky shoots in a mysterious palace, they stumble upon a Tantra Sastra book. What starts as a harmless ritual for wealth quickly turns into a nightmare when they accidentally awaken a dormant spirit. Strange and eerie occurrences follow, prompting the group to investigate the ghost’s identity and intentions. Is the spirit malevolent or misunderstood? The rest of the film unravels this mystery and reveals how Paramesh and his friends confront the supernatural forces at play.
Performances:
After a long gap in lead roles, Praveen makes a solid comeback. He delivers a sincere performance, effectively portraying a relatable middle-class man clinging to his entrepreneurial dreams. His monologues on the frustrations of middle-class life land well and offer a few emotional beats.
Harsha Chemudu, although limited in screen time, makes his presence felt in a crucial role. However, his character arc feels incomplete and underdeveloped. A more fleshed-out backstory could have added depth and made his flashback more impactful.
Among the supporting cast, Vivek Dandu and Shining Phani offer some laughs and do their part, while Krishna Bhagavan is serviceable in a minor role. Unfortunately, the female leads are underutilized and bring little value to the narrative.
Technical Aspects:
Director SJ Shiva attempts to blend horror and comedy, but the execution falls short. The screenplay lacks tightness and coherence, especially in the latter half. Cinematography by Bala Saraswathy is decent, capturing the eerie atmosphere well enough, though nothing stands out visually.
Vikas Badisa’s music works in a few spots, particularly during tense moments and lighthearted sequences. However, it doesn’t leave a lasting impact. Editing by veteran Marthand K Venkatesh could have been sharper—many scenes overstay their welcome and dilute the tension.
Production values are adequate for a mid-budget film. The palace set adds some visual intrigue but is underutilized.
Verdict:
Bakasura Restaurant serves a familiar dish with mild spice but lacks the flavor to leave a lasting impression. While the film starts off promisingly with a fun premise and decent humor, it loses momentum midway. Uneven writing, underdeveloped characters, and repetitive scenes drag down what could have been a quirky, enjoyable ride.
Though Praveen puts in a heartfelt performance and Harsha Chemudu shows flashes of brilliance, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on their talents. In the end, Bakasura Restaurant is passable but forgettable — a film you wouldn’t mind skipping for better weekend entertainment.
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