Choo Mantar movie story: The narrative of the film Choo Mantar revolves around Gautham (Sharan), a specialist in the paranormal, along with his companions Akanksha (Aditi Prabhudeva), RJ (Chikkanna), and Nakul (Kiran Chandrashekhar). They embark on an investigation into the enigmatic Morgan House, a reputedly haunted estate located in the remote region of Nainital, where it is said that a hidden treasure lies. The legends surrounding Morgan House instil fear in many, leading to the belief that those who venture there often vanish without a trace. The central questions arise: Is the mansion truly haunted and as perilous as rumoured? And does a treasure await discovery?

Choo Mantar movie review: There was a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Choo Mantar, as director Navneeth had previously demonstrated his talent for the horror genre with Karvva. Additionally, leading actor Sharan has been actively seeking to broaden his repertoire while still maintaining his comedic roots. The expectation was that this collaboration would yield a horror comedy that successfully balanced both fright and humour. Unfortunately, this expectation was not met.

To be fair, Navneeth does manage to create a reasonably engaging first half; however, he stumbles in the second half, culminating in an unsatisfactory conclusion that appears to be a mere setup for a sequel. It is disheartening to note that while Navneeth resolves some elements of the primary narrative, he neglects significant plot points in his attempt to expand this 'universe,' which I consider to be the film's most considerable shortcoming.

The premise leading to the interval suggests that a character will arrive to resolve the haunting at Morgan House, specifically Gautham (Sharan). This is the resolution that audiences anticipate, yet the outcome presented is both ineffective and disappointing. This occurs despite Navneeth employing many conventional horror techniques, such as a house with a dark past, jump scares, flickering lights, moving furniture, a sinister child, levitation, and more.

Faced with the necessity of appealing to Sharan’s primary audience, the narrative incorporates comedy that is largely attributed to Chikkanna. This comedic element does not arise organically from the situation but rather follows a conventional set-up and punchline structure, which lacks originality unless one finds humour in the mere utterance of “Shaa…” only to have the character deliver an unexpected line.

Had Navneeth at least provided moments of genuine fright that could induce a racing heart or provoke nervous laughter, he might have been excused. However, by adhering to clichéd horror movie conventions, he offers predictable scenarios that are easily anticipated. Avinash Basutkar’s background score strives to enhance the emotional impact of the scenes, yet it faces significant challenges, ultimately being undermined by the unfolding narrative.

Choo Mantar does not present a challenge for Sharan as an actor; his performance is exceedingly conventional, which represents a significant missed opportunity, especially considering his willingness to explore roles beyond his usual range. Prabhu Mundkur has limited material to engage with, yet he fulfils his role adequately, even managing to pull off a pink night suit with flair. The responsibility for generating scares falls primarily on the female leads, Meghana Gaonkar and Aditi Prabhudeva, with the former delivering a commendable performance. Unfortunately, their commendable efforts do not yield the desired impact.

Choo Mantar movie verdict: Horror films, regardless of their incorporation of other genres, cater to a specific audience, for whom Choo Mantar may feel like a repetitive experience. However, for fans of Sharan, there may be a sense of novelty, as this represents uncharted territory for him. Nevertheless, in the broader context, Choo Mantar appears to be a squandered opportunity.

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