A Solid Premise That Fails to Deliver Emotional Depth

Agnyathavasi, directed by Janardhan Chikkanna, is a decent thriller that carries the feel of a novel set in the woods. While the premise is promising, the film struggles to evoke the emotional investment needed to make the story truly impactful.

Rangayana Raghu plays a quiet, mysterious village cop who finds more joy in farming than in policing, thanks to the town’s uneventful nature. But when a death occurs, he suspects murder — setting off a chain of events that form the core of the mystery. Who did it and why becomes the central question.

The story is set in the 1990s, during India’s economic liberalization, when many were migrating to the US. This backdrop adds interesting layers — the J2K conflict, the shift from letters to emails, themes of guilt, consciousness, and responsibility. But unfortunately, these elements are never fully fleshed out. They exist as intriguing ideas but are never given enough space to breathe or evolve.

The nonlinear screenplay adds complexity but not clarity. Rather than building suspense, it creates impatience due to the lack of emotional connection with the characters. The character arcs — Siddu Moolimani, Rangayana Raghu, Paavana Gowda, and Ravishankar Gowda — remain surface-level. Their motivations and transformations are stated in dialogues, but not shown through impactful scenes, making their journeys feel unconvincing.

Charan Raj’s music stands out, offering a haunting atmosphere that occasionally lifts the narrative. Rangayana Raghu, however, is the undeniable show-stealer. His performance is subtle and immersive — a reminder that he deserves more such meaty roles.

In conclusion, Agnyathavasi explores themes like guilt and internal conflict but fails to bring them to life on screen. It’s a commendable attempt with flashes of brilliance, especially in concept and performance, but ultimately let down by its writing and emotional flatness.