Ajay Bhupathi’s latest Telugu film, Mangalavaaram, takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, horror, and morality. Released in 2023, the movie binds together elements of social issues, religious beliefs, and a spine-chilling murder mystery. The plot leaves audiences on the edge of their seats.
The story unfolds in a small Andhra village where the favorite day of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mangalavaaram or Tuesday, turns ominous. A series of deaths occur, apparently connected to mysterious writings on the walls exposing illicit affairs within the community. The villagers, fearing a grudge-harboring murderer in their midst, take matters into their own hands.
As the story continues, the plot evolves from a murder mystery to revealing the worried life of a woman named Sailu. The challenge for the filmmakers is to seamlessly connect the subplots.
How were Vishwanadham and Sailu connected?
The film introduces Vishwanadham, a seemingly unrelated character, whose connection to Sailu becomes a pivotal announcement. Vishwanadham, a kind-hearted but distressed village doctor, had lost his own daughter to the dangers of the world. Upon finding Sailu in a dire state after a traumatic incident, he takes her under his wing, seeing her as a daughter. Sailu’s life has been marred by deceit, betrayal, and trauma, including a hypersexual disorder resulting from past traumas.
The climax exposes the dark secrets of Sailu’s past, leading to her tragic demise. Vishwanadham, seeking justice for Sailu, finds out a conspiracy involving the Elder, the village patriarch. Sailu found out that Elder’s wife was in an illicit affair. This led to a vicious plot by the Elder’s wife to maintain the village’s facade of morality.
The film’s climax takes an unexpected turn as the inspector, having discovered Vishwanadham’s plot, confronts him. In a shocking twist, Vishwanadham uses chloroform to subdue the inspector and reveals the true motives behind the murders. Ravi, Sailu’s long-lost love, had returned to the village, and together, they sought revenge against those who wronged Sailu.
Mangalavaaram: Who killed Sailu?
It is revealed that the Elder’s wife and her minions had planned Sailu’s death. They murdered Sailu after she saw the Elder’s wife in a compromising position. Later, they framed it as a suicide to maintain the village’s honor. In a series of well-executed murders, Ravi and Vishwanadham eliminated those responsible for Sailu’s suffering. The Elder, learning of his wife’s true nature, takes matters into his own hands and kills her.
The film concludes with the inspector reluctantly letting Vishwanadham go, as there is insufficient concrete evidence. The Elder, however, justifies his actions as a sacrifice for the village’s moral sanctity. The inspector leaves the village, believing that divine justice is at play, punishing the villagers for their mistreatment of Sailu’s pure soul.
Furthermore, The movie hints at a sequel, suggesting that the spirits of Ravi and Sailu may return to mete out justice. As Mangalavaaram ends, viewers are left with a sense of suspense and the promise of more haunting tales to come.
In essence, Mangalavaaram is a masterful blend of horror, suspense, and social commentary, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next installment in this chilling saga of revenge and divine justice.
