If you think you’ve seen every horror-thriller trope out there—think again. Ghatikachalam, the latest psychological dhamaka now streaming in Hindi on Amazon Prime Video, dares to take horror down a different alley—one lined with trauma, tangled minds, and just a pinch of the paranormal. Originally released in Telugu on May 31, this eerie ride got its Hindi dub on June 24, and it’s already sparking whispers among thrill-seekers.
At the heart of this unsettling tale is Kaushik, played by the electrifying Nikhil Devadula—a medical student stuck in a life he never asked for. Sent to study medicine not by choice but by a controlling father, Kaushik is your classic good-boy-gone-quiet. But when a strange skeleton appears in his hostel room, everything shifts. Voices begin whispering. Commands get darker. And something—or someone—called Ghatikachalam takes hold.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill ghost story with jump scares and creaky doors. Director Amar Kamepalli, backed by writers M.C. Raju and Srinivas Malkari, taps into something deeper—the horror of a mind crumbling under years of silence, pressure, and pain. The line between mental illness and spiritual possession? It’s razor-thin, and the film dances on it with eerie elegance.
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Let’s talk cast—alongside Nikhil’s layered, rage-filled performance, you’ll spot Durga Devi, Aarvika Gupta, Shan Kakkar, and Bhavana Nagendh, all lending texture to a twisted domestic world. Each character adds a brushstroke to Kaushik’s spiraling descent, though not all are given enough to chew on.
The film’s production values punch above their weight. Sai Maneendhar Reddy’s sound design delivers spine-prickling thrills, and Flavio Cuccurullo’s background score weaves Indian emotion with chilling ambiance. It’s one of those rare horror flicks where the sound does half the scaring—especially in those long, tense silences before Kaushik snaps.
But let’s be real—Ghatikachalam isn’t flawless. It lingers too long in familiar territory, repeating scenes and emotional cues until the dread feels more like déjà vu. The second half, in particular, slows to a crawl, repeating breakdowns instead of building to a true crescendo. And the film’s depiction of psychiatry? Let’s just say the “doctor” might as well have been a family friend throwing vague advice over chai.
Happy to bring you this film, A pulse-pounding journey full of thrills, twists, and relentless excitement! 🎬🔥#Ghatikachalam 😈 Trailer is out now!
— Director Maruthi (@DirectorMaruthi) May 23, 2025
– https://t.co/E8PWzJkik1
In theatres May 31st 🎟️@NikhilDevadula #Samyureddy @Amar10401242 @ParkyPrabhakar @anilandbhanu… pic.twitter.com/GufRB4VVOe
Still, what really hurts is the film’s potential slipping through its fingers. It wanted to say something powerful—that the real horror isn’t in ghosts, but in homes where children grow up unseen, unheard, and broken by the people who claim to love them. That core message? Chilling. But somewhere in the ghostly effects and drawn-out exposition, the emotional gut-punch gets diluted.
Yet, Nikhil Devadula is the soul of this story. His performance? A full-blown revelation. The eyes, the twitching fingers, the quiet rage—it’s all there, making you believe, even when the writing falters. This guy is one to watch, no two ways about it.
But here’s the tea—the Hindi dubbing doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s functional, but the nuance is lost in translation. If you can, stick to the original Telugu with subtitles for the full masala experience.
Final Verdict:
Ghatikachalam is like that haunted house you’re curious to enter—it may not be perfectly built, but there’s enough inside to chill your bones. It’s not just about ghosts. It’s about being haunted by expectations, neglect, and a scream that was never heard. If you’re looking for a weekend thriller with a twist of emotion and a touch of supernatural spice, give it a shot. But keep your expectations—and your popcorn—light.
