SABDHAM MOVIE

SABDHAM MOVIE

 "Sabdham," released on February 28, 2025, marks the reunion of director Arivazhagan and actor Aadhi after their 2009 supernatural thriller, "Eeram." While "Eeram" utilized water as its central horror element, "Sabdham" intriguingly centers around sound. Despite its promising premise, the film has garnered mixed reviews from critics.

Plot Overview

Set in a medical college in Munnar, "Sabdham" begins with a series of mysterious student suicides, causing unrest among the faculty and students. To address the situation, the college dean enlists Ruben Vaidhyalingam (Aadhi), a paranormal investigator from Mumbai. Ruben's investigation reveals that the deaths are linked to Avanthika (Lakshmi Menon), a house surgeon and lecturer who is skeptical about the supernatural. As Ruben delves deeper, he encounters chilling paranormal activities associated with sound, leading to shocking revelations about the true cause of the deaths. 

Performances

Aadhi delivers a commendable performance as Ruben, portraying the character's determination and analytical prowess with conviction. Lakshmi Menon's portrayal of Avanthika is adequate, though her character's development is limited. Simran, in a brief role, leaves a minimal impact, while Laila's potential is underutilized. The supporting cast, including MS Bhaskar and Rajiv Menon, provide competent performances, though some roles are marred by underdeveloped characterizations. 

Technical Aspects

The film's technical departments excel in creating an eerie atmosphere. Arun Bathmanaban's cinematography effectively captures the misty, isolated setting of Munnar, enhancing the film's suspenseful mood. The sound design stands out, immersing the audience in the horror elements associated with sound. However, Thaman's background score, while initially effective, becomes overpowering in later sequences, diminishing the intended impact. 

Direction and Screenplay

Arivazhagan's attempt to replicate the success of "Eeram" falls short due to a weak screenplay. The film starts on an intriguing note, maintaining suspense and mystery in the first half. However, the narrative loses momentum post-interval, devolving into predictable horror tropes and melodrama. The introduction of new antagonists late in the story feels contrived, undermining the plot's coherence. The dialogues are often bland, and character interactions lack depth, making it challenging for the audience to connect emotionally. 

Critical Reception

"Sabdham" has received mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, noting that while the first half is intriguing, the second half becomes routine and lacks the emotional depth needed for a compelling horror thriller. Similarly, The New Indian Express highlighted the film's cacophony of intriguing yet ill-formed ideas, stating that despite its technical brilliance, "Sabdham" fails to deliver a cohesive and thrilling narrative. Telugu Cinema echoed these sentiments, praising the film's premise and technical aspects but criticizing its formulaic progression and lackluster climax. 

Conclusion

"Sabdham" presents an innovative concept by integrating sound as a central horror element. Despite strong performances, particularly by Aadhi, and commendable technical execution, the film falters due to its weak screenplay and predictable narrative. While it offers moments of suspense and intrigue, "Sabdham" ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact, falling short of the standards set by Arivazhagan and Aadhi's previous collaboration, "Eeram."