Kalinga is a 2024 Telugu-language fantasy horror thriller directed by Dhruva Vaayu, who also plays the lead role. The film is set in the village of Kalinga, Telangana, and follows the story of Lingam (Dhruva Vaayu), an orphan who makes a living by selling local liquor. Despite his carefree lifestyle, Lingam falls deeply in love with Paddu (Pragya Nayan). However, their relationship faces challenges when Paddu’s father disapproves and sets a daunting condition: to win Paddu’s hand in marriage, Lingam must retrieve the family’s lost land documents from the clutches of the powerful village head, Patel (Aadukalam Naren).
The task is perilous, as the land in question is shrouded in mystery and fear. Villagers believe that those who cross its boundaries never return, leading to rumors of a supernatural force at play. Undeterred, Lingam embarks on this dangerous mission, confronting both human adversaries and eerie occurrences. As he delves deeper, he uncovers dark secrets about the village and his own unexpected connection to the supernatural events.
Kalinga” received mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India praised Dhruva Vaayu’s performance, noting his raw and intense portrayal of Lingam, and highlighted the film’s impressive direction and visually stunning moments. However, the antagonists were perceived as less impactful.
OTTplay appreciated the film’s intriguing storyline and Dhruva Vaayu’s dual role as actor and director but pointed out pacing issues and unnecessary scenes that diluted the overall impact.
Starcast Kalinga Movie
| Actor/Actress | Role |
|---|---|
| Polar wind (Linga) | Linga |
| Pragya Nayan | Voice |
| Aadukalam Naren | Village Elder |
| My Name is Tanikella | (Role not specified) |
| Shiju AR | (Role not specified) |
| Irene Muralidhar Goud | Paddu’s Father |
| Gandhi on Strike | (Role not specified) |
| Lakshmana Meesala | Linga’s Friend |
| Preethi Sundar Kumar | (Role not specified) |
| Balagam Sudhakar | (Role not specified) |
| Prayer | (Role not specified) |
| Sanjay Krishna | Bali |
| Harishchandra Rayala | (Role not specified) |
Release
The film premiered globally in Telugu on September 13, 2024.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Direction | Polar Air |
| Writing | Dhruva Vayu, Rama Rao Jadhav, Yakub Sheikh |
| Producer | Deepthi Kondaveeti, Prithvi Yadav |
| Cast | Dhruva Vayu, Pragya Nayan, Aadukalam Naren, Tanikella Bharani |
| Photography | Akshay Ram Podishetti |
| Composition | Naresh Venuvanka |
| Music | Vishnu Shekhara, Ananth Narayanan AG |
| Production Company | Big Hit Productions |
| Release Date | September 13, 2024 |
| Movie Length | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
