Choo Mantar Movie Review: Sharan Shines, But Chemistry Falters Slightly in Supporting Acts

Choo Mantar Storyline: Four friends venture into Nainital's Morgan House, seeking hidden treasure. Once owned by British officer George Morgan, the house hides dark secrets and an evil entity, forcing the group into intense battles for survival.

Choo Mantar Movie Review: Sharan, a seasoned performer, delivers a dependable performance, staying true to his established style. Prabhu Mundkur makes a strong impression in a limited role, making the most of his screen time. Meghana and Aditi seamlessly align with their characters, delivering commendable performances. Chikkanna brings his trademark comedic timing but his on-screen chemistry with Sharan falls slightly short of expectations, leaving room for a stronger dynamic. Overall, the cast puts forth a solid effort, but the interplay between key characters could have been more impactful.

Director Navaneeth, known for his debut Karva, returns with Choo Mantar, a horror-comedy featuring an ensemble cast led by Sharan. The film attempts to balance scares and laughs but ends up being a mixed bag.

The story revolves around Dynamo alias Gautham (Sharan), an exorcist who runs ‘Choo Mantar and Co.’ with his team—RJ (Chikkanna), (Aditi Prabhudeva), and Nakul (Kiran Chandrashekar). Their quest to unearth a secret treasure in the haunted Morgan House in Nainital lands them in a ghostly mystery tied to the mansion's colonial past.

What Works

Sharan shines in his comfort zone, balancing humor and occasional thrills. Prabhu Mundkur, though in a smaller role, delivers a memorable performance. Aditi Prabhudeva and Meghana fit well into their characters. Chikkanna, with his signature comic timing, keeps the laughs coming, even if his chemistry with Sharan could have been stronger.

Resul Pookutty’s sound design significantly enhances the horror elements. Anup Kattukaran’s cinematography captures the eerie atmosphere of the mansion effectively.The first half is engaging with a decent mix of scares and jokes. The film delivers sporadic suspense and plot twists that keep viewers somewhat invested.

What Falls Short

Predictable Storyline: The narrative follows familiar tropes of haunted mansions, buried secrets, and ghostly encounters, making it feel formulaic.

Comedy Execution: While comedy is Sharan’s strength, it often feels forced rather than arising naturally from situations.

Second Half: The latter part of the film becomes repetitive and lacks the punch needed to sustain the initial momentum.

Choo Mantar offers a decent blend of scares and laughs, but it doesn’t go beyond the expected. It’s an enjoyable watch for fans of the horror-comedy genre, but its lack of novelty and reliance on clichés might leave some wanting more.

If you enjoy lighthearted horror films with a sprinkle of comedy, Choo Mantar is worth a try—but don’t go in expecting groundbreaking storytelling.