‘Odela 2’ review: A spiritless sequel that fails to rise beyond its divine intent

After garnering a fair amount of attention with Odela Railway Station on OTT in 2022, creator Sampath Nandi returns with Odela 2, this time aiming for grandeur and mass appeal. With Tamannaah Bhatia cast as a mystical Naga Sadhu and an expansive promotional campaign, expectations were high. But does the sequel manage to surpass its predecessor?

Story

Picking up after the events of part one, Tirupati (Vasishta Simha), who died in the previous film, is given a Samadhi Shiksha instead of cremation. This act leaves his soul restless, turning him into a vengeful spirit wreaking havoc in Odela village. As rapes and murders escalate, the villagers turn to Radha (Hebbah Patel), who brings in her estranged sister Shiva Shakti aka Bhavani (Tamannaah), a spiritually elevated Naga Sadhu. The story then shifts to Bhavani’s reluctant return and her confrontation with the evil Tirupati. But the journey from premise to payoff is marred by lackluster storytelling.

Performances

Despite being the film’s USP, Tamannaah appears far too late and fails to leave an impact. Her portrayal lacks the divine gravitas needed for a role steeped in spiritual power. Vasishta Simha holds his ground with decent performance, but it’s a one-note character. Hebbah Patel disappoints with limited and unimpactful scenes. Murali Sharma’s role is brief and forgettable. Overall, the performances are either underwhelming or overtly melodramatic.

Technicalities

Director Ashok Teja’s inexperience shows, and Sampath Nandi’s script lacks novelty or emotional depth. While Soundararajan’s cinematography is passable, the editing by Avinash is choppy and repetitive. Drone shots are overused, making the film visually monotonous. Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score is serviceable in parts but falls flat during the climax. The CGI is poorly executed, pulling viewers out of the narrative.

Analysis

Odela 2 tries to merge spiritual mysticism with horror but ends up being a chaotic blend of clichés. Instead of focusing on a tight narrative, the film throws in everything—supernatural elements, excessive gore, and preachy segments—none of which land effectively. The screenplay is predictable and dull, failing to create any emotional or thrilling high points. Even Tamannaah’s much-hyped character lacks any elevation-worthy moment.

In the end, Odela 2 feels like a missed opportunity—ambitious in scale but hollow in execution. And the hint at a third part only adds to the fatigue.