Let me tell you, Rudhiram isn’t an easy watch. Written and directed by Jisho Lon Antony, the journey through this psychological thriller starring Aparna Balamurali and Raj B. Shetty is dark and uneasy. It’s intense, disturbing, and, at times, hard to sit through—but it’s also captivating in its own way.
The movie pushes us right into an alarming situation. Swathi (Aparna Balamurali) is trapped in a room, scared and helpless, with her dog Pikku. It doesn’t take us long to realize how twisted things are when a masked man creeps around. At the same time, we meet Dr. Mathew Rosy (Raj B. Shetty), a well-respected physician who seems to be a perfect gentleman to everyone around him. However, as the movie goes on, it becomes evident that underneath his charming exterior, Mathew is hiding something very dire.
At first, you’re left wondering why Mathew is doing all of this and what his ultimate goal is. Without giving anything away, let’s just say that the reasons behind his actions are disclosed later on, and, although important to the story, they’re not exactly unconventional. You’ll likely find it quite predictable if you’ve watched a lot of thrillers.
The performances are the most notable and standout part of Rudhiram. Aparna Balamurali is excellent as Swathi, with you feeling every bit of her fear, frustration, and determination. Raj B Shetty, as Mathew, is out-and-out chilling. Something about the way he alternates between being soft-spoken and threatening bothers you.
The film also does a great job with its technicalities. Jisho's direction, and cinematography by Sajad Kaaku, are supreme, particularly the way confined spaces are shot to give you a sense of claustrophobia. The music? Bang on. It makes sure you don't de-stress even for a moment by increasing the intensity and weight of each scene.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: this movie is unsettling. Some viewers may find the scenes of torture a bit too much. It’s not the kind of film you “enjoy”—it’s the kind you endure, and that’s part of what makes it work.
In addition to not just being perfect, it doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. The idea of a psychopath with a traumatic past driving his actions? We’ve seen that before. But what works here is the way the plot develops and the performers’ ability to really live in their roles.
Simply put, don’t go expecting twists you’ve never seen before. If nothing else, Aparna Balamurali and Raj B. Shetty are enough reasons to give it a watch.
Film: Rudhiram
Director: Jisho Lon Antony
Cast: Raj B Shetty, Aparna Balamurali, Kumaradas T N, Ramesh Varma, P K Babu
Rating: 3.5/5