Psychological Thriller Mareechika Starring Anupama Parameswaran Opens in Hyderabad
The Telugu psychological thriller film Mareechika, starring Anupama Parameswaran, Regena Cassandrra, and Viraj Ashwin, released in theatres across Hyderabad on Friday, May 29, 2026. Directed by Satish Kasetty, the film attempts a unique mystery narrative but has opened to mixed reviews due to its slow pace and underwhelming execution.
The story revolves around Venkatalaxmi, played by Anupama Parameswaran, a college student who deeply adores Sanju, also known as Sanjay, played by Viraj Ashwin. Sanju, the son of a local corporator, runs a coffee shop to maintain his independence. Venkatalaxmi hides her feelings, only for Sanju to marry her new NRI friend, Mareechika, played by Regena Cassandrra. The plot takes a dark turn when Mareechika kills Sanju, prompting Venkatalaxmi to approach the police.
The film attempts to blend psychological, romantic, and mystery elements, drawing thematic comparisons to films like One: Nenokkadine. Critics noted that the director’s vision to deliver a non-routine film is commendable. The interval block and the final act, particularly a sequence involving actor Ajay Ghosh, Regina, and Anupama, stand out as engaging highlights. The lead actors—Regena Cassandrra as the NRI, Anupama Parameswaran in an innocent role, and Viraj Ashwin—all delivered neat performances.
However, the film suffers from a slow pace, with the first half testing the audience's patience during crucial setup scenes. While the second half improves towards the climax, the process of untying the mystery plot knots creates confusion. Additionally, the depiction of the police investigation was criticized as poorly handled, with the fictional officers putting minimal effort into solving the crime, which ultimately weakens the overall impact of the film's premise.
On the technical front, Mareechika features a decent music score and background tracks composed by veteran music director Ilaiyaraaja. The cinematography was handled by Arvind Kannabiran, with editing by Junaid Siddiqui. The film was produced by Rajiv Chilaka and Meghhaa Chilakka.
