Verdict: A decent female-centric thriller that builds solid suspense in the second half and benefits from a committed lead performance, though it has some uneven pacing. Worth a theatre watch for fans of mystery and psychological tension.
Pros:
Payal Chengappa’s sincere and intense lead performance
Gripping last 45 minutes and effective background score
Promising directorial debut with some stylish presentation
Cons:
First half can feel slow or routine at times
Supporting elements and some plot turns don’t fully land for everyone
About Mayookha 2026
Detail
Information
Title
Mayookha
Directed by
Srikanth Kandragula
Written by
Srikanth Kandragula, Chinthakindi Kiran Kumar & team
Mayookha hit theatres on 9 October 2026 as a female-oriented psychological thriller. It follows a young professional living alone in a city who finds her quiet life disrupted by a series of brutal murders targeting single women. Strange things start happening inside her own apartment, and she begins to believe she could be the next target.
The film is the directorial debut of Shree Tej SK and stars Payal Chengappa in the lead. Early audience reactions on X and other platforms have been largely positive, with many calling it a good Dasara pick for thriller lovers. The movie had already picked up recognition at film festivals before release, including a Best Mystery Movie award, which helped build curiosity.
The story is straightforward and focuses on fear, paranoia, and the unsettling feeling of not being safe even in one’s own home. Without giving away key twists, it revolves around the heroine noticing odd occurrences, investigating the threat, and dealing with the growing tension as the mystery deepens. The narrative mixes present-day suspense with flashback portions that many viewers found impactful.
Audience feedback from X, premiere shows, and early discussions highlights Payal Chengappa’s performance as a major plus. Viewers praised how she carries the emotional and tense moments, with several calling her portrayal convincing and strong. The background score by Sibi Mathew Alex is frequently mentioned as a big highlight that elevates the tension. Many specifically pointed to the last 45 minutes as the best part of the film edge of the seat, thrilling, and well-executed.
The flashback sequences and the child artist Master Shanmukh Charan’s contribution also drew appreciation. Director Shree Tej SK’s debut effort has been called promising, with some noting the Hollywood- and Korean-inspired visual treatment and colour grading. At the same time, reactions are not uniformly glowing. A few early reviews and comments noted that the first half moves slower and some scenes feel familiar or routine.
The overall runtime (around 2 hours 11 minutes) and certain supporting turns did not fully satisfy everyone. Still, the dominant sentiment on social media leans positive for a mid-scale thriller, with people recommending it especially for those who enjoy suspense and psychological tension. If you like movies that rely on atmosphere, a central mystery, and a strong female lead performance rather than big action or star power, Mayookha is worth watching in theatres for the theatrical experience and the score-driven climax stretch.
Those who prefer faster pacing throughout or more layered writing may find it average and can wait for streaming. Overall, it is a sincere attempt that delivers enough thrills in the second half to make it a reasonable one-time watch for the genre audience.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
