Subham review: Samantha's first production is a sweet, offbeat horror comedy

Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu joins the growing list of stars backing new-age Telugu cinema. Her debut production, 'Subham', directed by 'Cinema Bandi'-fame Praveen Kandregula, aims to deliver something small yet significant, placing a light-hearted, slightly absurd narrative over themes rooted in everyday social observations. The promotional material positioned the film as a quirky horror-comedy with an intriguing concept. While the film broadly lives up to that promise, the treatment itself isn't entirely new.advertisementThe idea of a television serial haunting real life has been explored before, most notably in '13B', starring Madhavan and directed by Vikram Kumar. But unlike that film, 'Subham' takes a more playful, comedic route while touching on different themes. It may not dig too deep, but it stays afloat with its simplicity, innocence, and rooted humour.Set in the sleepy coastal town of Vishakapatnam's Bheemili, 'Subham' follows three young men navigating their own ideas of manhood. As Srinivas prepares for his wedding, his already-married friends feed him outdated notions of masculinity, self-proclaimed 'alpha' behaviour, and confused takes on how to 'handle' women. But things take a bizarre turn on the wedding night. The fictional television serial 'Janma Janmala Bandham', which his wife is watching, starts to eerily influence real life. What follows is a quirky blend of satire, comedy, and supernatural mischief.advertisement
It's a premise that sounds outlandish, but in Director Praveen Kandregula's hands, it never goes overboard. In fact, 'Subham' is surprisingly tender. The director, much like in his debut 'Cinema Bandi', leans heavily on innocence and small-town warmth. The storytelling feels lived-in. The humour is not the kind that makes you burst out laughing, but it keeps you smiling. The jokes are situational, the characters familiar, and the conflicts oddly believable.The choice of using daily soap as the supernatural trigger is both clever and culturally apt. Telugu households have long been influenced by daily serials, especially for women, where fiction and reality often feel mixed. 'Subham' turns this idea around, not to make fun of it, but to show how deep-rooted patriarchy can be, even among people who mean well. The film makes its point without being too serious or preachy.Vasanth Mariganti's writing brings in both the absurdity and the message with some flair. The dialogues are witty and natural, if a bit too many in number. A fun dosa-making scene between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and a conversation about water tanks and their quality in the first meeting are light-hearted moments that still manage to say something meaningful.advertisementBut despite having many cute moments, the second half stretches a bit, especially when the characters try to figure out what's happening. The pacing dips, and a few scenes feel repetitive. The film could've been tighter with a shorter runtime. Samantha deserves credit for backing a concept-heavy film like this in her first outing as a producer. The production values from Tralala Moving Pictures are solid and stay true to the film's tone. However, her cameo feels oddly placed. She looks stunning, but the quirky mannerisms and styling don't land as intended. That said, the other surprise cameos blend in well and add to the fun. The horror elements may not fully deliver on the scare factor, but the makeup and CG (computer graphics) departments have done a neat job. The film works more as a comedy set against a horror backdrop than a true horror-comedy, and that feels intentional.The film mixes comedy, horror, and satire. Even if the blend isn't perfect throughout, the attempt feels honest. The climax brings it all together in a sweet and simple way, using the same TV serial that caused the confusion. It avoids going overboard and ends on a warm note.advertisementAmong the actors, Harshith Reddy makes the strongest impression. His comic timing and screen presence hold the film together. Shriya Kontham shines in emotional moments. The rest of the cast fits in well with the film's world. The technical side stays within its limits. Vivek Sagar's music adds a nice touch, especially in the background score.'Subham' is a light, quirky horror comedy with a good heart. It doesn't try to take itself too seriously, and that works in its favour. In a space filled with loud, big-budget films, this one feels small, simple, and refreshing.3.5 out of 5 stars for 'Subham'.

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