Rakasa Review: A Fun Fantasy Ride That Truly Clicks in the Second Half
Sarkar Rating: 3/5 Release Date : April 03, 2026
Cast
Sangeeth Shobhan, Nayan Sarika, Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Getup Srinu & Others.
Crew
Director : Manasa Sharma
Producers : Niharika Konidela & Umesh Kumar Bansal
Music Director : Anudeep Dev
Cinematographer : Raju Edurolu
Editor : Anwar Ali
What Is the Film About?
Rakasa follows Veerababu (Sangeeth Shobhan), an NRI who arrives in a mysterious village with the intention of stopping a marriage. However, he soon realizes that the place is haunted, with eerie signs pointing toward an impending doom. As per ancient scriptures, a human sacrifice is required to restore normalcy. What are these ominous signs? Why do they appear? And what happens when Veerababu himself becomes central to the sacrifice? The film unravels these questions through a mix of fantasy, horror, and comedy.
Performances
Sangeeth Shobhan fits seamlessly into the role of Veerababu. While the character doesn’t push him into entirely new territory, the quirky setup adds freshness. He balances innocence, humor, and subtle vulnerability with ease, making the role engaging.
Nayan Sarika plays her part effectively. Though her character doesn’t demand heavy emotional or performance depth, she contributes well to the narrative flow and the romantic track without overdoing anything.
Analysis
Directed by Manasa Sharma, Rakasa is a fantasy-horror-comedy reminiscent of films like Stree. The story kicks off by establishing its supernatural base, which becomes crucial for everything that follows.
The first half focuses on introducing the village, characters, and the quirky setup. While there are a few lighthearted moments, the humor largely feels routine and lacks a consistent punch. The narrative also takes its time to reach the core conflict, making portions of the first half feel stretched and tonally uneven.
However, the second half significantly improves the film’s momentum. Set largely in a deserted fort, the story becomes more engaging with an interesting twist that injects fresh energy into the proceedings. The final hour delivers genuine laughs and entertaining moments, even if it occasionally sacrifices logic for convenience.
The film’s self-aware, tongue-in-cheek humor works well in parts, but the climax—though bold—may divide opinions depending on how one connects with the fantasy element surrounding the protagonist.
Supporting Cast
The film boasts a strong supporting lineup including Tanikella Bharani, Brahmaji, and Ashish Vidyarthi. Meanwhile, Vennela Kishore and Getup Srinu take charge of the comedy, delivering laughs in their signature style. The ensemble cast does a decent job in supporting the narrative.
Music and Technical Aspects
Anudeep Dev’s music is largely forgettable, except for a passable romantic track. The background score follows a predictable pattern typical of the genre but complements the film adequately.
The cinematography stands out, effectively capturing both the village ambiance and the eerie fort sequences. Editing is crisp, ensuring the film maintains a steady pace despite predictable stretches. The writing shows promise in parts, though it lacks consistency.
Verdict
Rakasa offers a refreshing premise within the fantasy-horror-comedy space and delivers its best moments in the second half. While the first half feels flat and slow at times, the latter portions bring in humor and engagement that make it worth a watch.
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