Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting had me hyped from the get-go. A Telugu thriller about a cursed village where brides keep dying? A badass female cop taking charge? Directed by Poluru Krishna, the guy behind Recce, and led by YouTuber-turned-actress Abhignya Vuthaluru? Sign me up. Set in the creepy, 1980s vibe of a fictional Andhra village, this supernatural crime series promises chills and smarts. But while it kicks off with a bang and Abhignya’s a total star, it kinda loses its spark halfway through, tripping over a predictable story and some rough edges. Here’s the rundown.
A Cursed Village and a Fearless Cop
Picture this: Viraatapalem, a remote village stuck in the 1980s, where every bride mysteriously drops dead on her wedding day. For years, this curse has scared everyone off from tying the knot. Enter Meenakshi, aka Meena (Abhignya Vuthaluru), a tough-as-nails police constable who gets posted to this eerie town. When another bride, Malli, dies after marrying Ranga, Meena’s not buying the “curse” excuse. She teams up with Kittu (Charan Lakkaraju), a rough-around-the-edges ex-con with his own demons, to dig into what’s really going on. As they poke around, they uncover a tangle of superstition, old-school traditions, and some seriously shady secrets. To catch the killer, Meena pulls a bold move—going undercover as a bride herself. Will she crack the case or end up the next victim?
Abhignya Shines and the Vibe’s Creepy
Right off the bat, Viraatapalem hooks you. The idea of a village where brides can’t survive their wedding day is super creepy, and the ‘80s setting—think dusty roads, old radios, and flickering lanterns—gives it a cool, retro chill. Abhignya Vuthaluru is the real deal as Meena. She’s got this quiet fire, balancing grit and heart, and you’re rooting for her the whole way. Whether she’s staring down skeptical villagers or chasing leads, she makes Meena feel real, not like some over-the-top hero.
The show’s got some gutsy themes, too, taking shots at superstition and the way women get boxed in by tradition. A few scenes about Meena dealing with workplace sexism hit home without feeling preachy. Charan Lakkaraju’s Kittu is a solid partner-in-crime, bringing a scrappy energy that keeps things lively. The supporting cast—Lavanya Sahukara, Surabhi Prabhavati, and others—does a decent job, with a couple of them stealing scenes. The early episodes are tight, with sharp dialogue and a spooky atmosphere that makes you wanna keep binging.
Predictable Twists and Amateur Vibes
Here’s where things go south. Viraatapalem starts losing steam around the halfway mark. The story gets way too predictable—you’ll probably guess the killer before the big reveal, which sucks the suspense right out. The pacing drags, especially in the later episodes, where it leans on tired crime show tropes instead of playing up the supernatural angle. The motive behind the deaths feels kinda weak, and some characters’ backstories are so thin you barely care.
The production’s a bit of a letdown, too. The visuals can look cheap, like something you’d see on a low-budget TV drama, with shaky camera work and sets that don’t always convince you. The supernatural stuff, which should’ve been the hook, feels half-baked—more like a mild ghost story than a proper scare-fest. There’s also been some chatter about the show feeling too close to ETV Win’s Constable Kanakam, which adds to the vibe that it was rushed out the door. By the time the final twist hits, it’s not enough to pull things back together.
Abhignya’s the Star, Others Tag Along
Abhignya Vuthaluru carries this show on her shoulders. She’s got this natural, no-BS vibe as Meena, making every scene she’s in pop. Charan Lakkaraju’s Kittu is a great sidekick, adding some rough charm and a bit of heart. Surabhi Prabhavati stands out in a supporting role, but the rest of the cast—Ramaraju, Gowtham Raju, Satish—feels like they’re just going through the motions. They’re fine, but the script doesn’t give them much to chew on.
The Bottom Line: A Fun Start That Fades Fast
Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting had all the pieces for a killer Telugu thriller: a spooky curse, a tough lead, and some bold ideas. Abhignya Vuthaluru’s a total standout, and the first few episodes reel you in with their creepy, small-town vibe. But the story gets too predictable, the pacing slows to a crawl, and the production feels a bit cheap, making it hard to stay hooked. If you’re into slow-burn mysteries or just wanna see Abhignya do her thing, it’s worth a weekend binge. Just don’t expect it to blow your mind.
Rating: ★★½ / 5
Watch It For: Abhignya Vuthaluru’s awesome performance and the cool cursed-village setup.
Skip It If: You want a twisty, scary thriller with polished production.
Where to Watch: Streaming now on ZEE5, all eight episodes ready to go in Telugu with English subtitles.