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Yakshini, backed by the producers of the Baahubali movie franchise, marks actress Vedhika’s debut on OTT. The Telugu fantasy series also stars Rahul Vijay, Lakshmi Manchu, and Ajay in key roles and is now available for streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar. Read our review to find out more about it.

Story:

Cursed by Kubera, the King of the Yakshinis, Maya (Vedhika), a Yakshini, must kill 100 humans to return to her homeland, Alkapuri, with the 100th victim being a willing virgin. She finds the innocent Krishna (Rahul Vijay), falls in love with him, and marries him. However, as she prepares to kill him, Mahakal (Ajay) intervenes. Who is Mahakal, and why does he hate Maya? How does Jwalamukhi (Lakshmi Manchu) fit into this? Is Krishna aware of Maya’s deadly plan? Can Maya complete her mission and return to Alkapuri? Discover the answers in this series.

Plus Points:

It’s been a long time since Telugu audiences have seen actress Vedhika in Telugu projects. In her maiden OTT series, the actress shines in her role, delivering a satisfactory performance and looking beautiful, perfectly embodying the essence of a Yakshini.

Rahul Vijay gets a role that suits him well and entertains with his performance. Ajay, as Mahakal, justifies his character and creates the necessary tension in the show. Manchu Lakshmi is fine in her given space. The remaining supporting actors are adequate in their respective roles.

Minus Points:

The series, which blends fantasy, thrills, and comedy, is just okay in terms of story. The simple plot requires a more gripping narration to keep the proceedings interesting.

The show starts strong in the first three episodes, dulls in the fourth, almost concludes in the fifth, and the sixth and final episode feels like an over-extended 30-minute segment with a predictable ending.

The story lacks proper twists and turns, making it straightforward with a simple screenplay. The predictability of the plot highlights where the screenwriters needed to infuse more creativity to maintain interest.

Lakshmi Manchu is adequate in her role, but extending her character’s storyline and adding an emotional touch would have enhanced Yakshini. The emotional connection between Vedhika and Rahul Vijay could have been deeper for a better impact.

Technical Aspects:

Director Teja Marni attempts to manage the show well, but the screenplay needed to be more engaging to make the familiar story move at a faster pace and conclude effectively in just five episodes. One would expect better CG work, especially considering that the same producers who funded Baahubali are behind this fantasy series. This aspect is a significant disappointment.

The music by Priyadarshan Balasubramanian provides a decent ambiance, and the cinematography by Jagadeesh Cheekati is satisfactory. The production quality is good. The editing is fair but requires improvement in several areas.

Verdict:

On the whole, Yakshini is a 6-episode series, a blend of fantasy, thrills, and comedy that entertains in parts. Despite adequate performances by Vedhika, Rahul Vijay, and Ajay, the straightforward narrative lacks a compelling screenplay, resulting in a predictable plot. The poor CG work, lack of a more profound emotional connection, and a few unnecessary scenes are notable drawbacks. Even if you are a hardcore fan of fantasy dramas, it is advisable to keep your expectations low. Others can explore alternative entertainment options.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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