The much awaited Kannada horror comedy film ‘Chu Mantra’ has finally released on 10th January 2025! In Sharan’s incarnation, the film tells the story of a mysterious Morgan House, where a paramall assistant and his team Saket go in search of curiosity. 50 minutes of spectacular VFX effects have been used in this 143-minute film. Directed by Navneet, the film has been shot in London, Sri Lanka, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Mysuru and Bengaluru. Artists like Aditi Prabhudheva, Chikkanna, Meghna Gaunkar have also played important roles. Will Gautam and his team be able to solve the mysteries of Morgan House? To know this, definitely watch ‘Chhoo Mantar’!
| Title | Choo Mantar |
| Language | Kannada |
| Genre | Horror Comedy |
| Director | Navneeth |
| Producer | Tarun Shivappa |
| Production Company | Tharun Studios |
| Release Date | January 10, 2025 |
| Running Time | 143 minutes |
| Music | Title Track: Chandan Shetty Songs & Score: Avinash R Basutkar |
| Cinematography | Anup Kattukaran |
| Editor | Venki UDV |
Cast:
- Sharan as Gowtham/Dynamo (plays a paranormal expert)
- Aditi Prabhudeva as Akanksha/Clara
- Chikkanna as RJ aka Ramesh Jadugar
- Meghana Gaonkar as Catherine
- Prabhu Mundkur as Alex
- Rajani Bharadwaj as Mogra
- Gurukiran as George Morgan
- Om Prakash Rao
- Vijay Chendur
- Dharma
- Shankar Ashwath
- Kiran
Story
Gautam, a renowned paranormal expert, sets out to search for an ancient treasure along with his teammates Akanksha, RJ, and Nakul. This treasure is said to be hidden beneath the Morgan House, a scary and haunted place. Immersed in their treasure hunt, all four are unaware of the dark history of this place. Morgan House is situated in the middle of a dense forest, which has been deserted for a long time and whose name makes people tremble with fear at the mention of it. As the team steps inside the mansion, strange occurrences begin to occur—such as a mysterious wind whispering their names, shadows passing in front of them, and mysterious messages written on the walls.
In search of the treasure, they reach the secret rooms of the mansion and there they find an old diary, which contains the tragic story of the mansion’s former residents. The further they go, the more the terror of the mansion increases. Caught in a web of ghostly occurrences and mysterious puzzles, they must face their greatest fears. Will they be able to find the treasure, or will they become part of the mystery themselves?
Review
‘Chu Mantar’ directed by Navneet has brought a new wave in Kannada cinema. This film is a combination of horror and comedy, which both scares and makes the audience laugh. Sharan has played the role of a paranormal expert in the character of Gautam very well. His timing and expressions are amazing. The pair of Aditi Prabhudeva (Akanksha) and Chikkanna (RJ) have also made the film more interesting with their presence.
The story of the film revolves around the Morgan House, where a team arrives in search of hidden treasure. But as they uncover the layers of this mysterious place, many horrifying truths are revealed to them. The 50 minutes of visual effects have given the film an international look. Chandan Shetty’s title track and Avinash R Basuthkar’s background score perfectly complement the mood of the film. Anup Kattukaran’s cinematography work is also praiseworthy, especially in the scary scenes.
However, the pace of the film slows down at some places, and some comedy scenes seem a bit forced. But overall, ‘Chhoo Mantar’ is an entertaining package that gives its viewers a value for money experience. If you are fond of horror-comedy and want to see something different, then ‘Chhoo Mantar’ is a good option for you. The film not only entertains, but also forces you to think on many occasions. This 143 minute journey will keep you glued to your seat.
Director Navneet has presented a new story in a very interesting way, which can prove to be a new benchmark for Kannada cinema.
Trailer
In conclusion, ‘Chhu Mantar’ can prove to be an important step forward in Kannada cinema. This film is not only a package of entertainment but also sets a new standard from a technical point of view. With 50 minutes of high-quality visual effects, international shooting locations, and a strong ensemble cast, the film shows what regional cinema can reach. Sharan and his team have made a film that can attract not only the Kannada audience but also the pan-India audience. Even though there are some shortcomings, overall ‘Chhoo Mantar’ is a successful effort that sets a new precedent in the horror-comedy genre.