Rakkasapuradhol, a Kannada thriller released on February 6, unfolds in the misty village of Rakkasapura where Inspector Shiva investigates a series of women’s murders amid local superstitions. Raj B Shetty portrays the suspended alcoholic cop battling schizophrenia, which causes him to hallucinate and both aids and hinders his probe. Directed and written by Ravi Saranga, the 2-hour film features Swathishta Krishnan and Archana Kottige, clashing police authority with village priest Siddaya’s influence.

The narrative echoes recent thrillers like Anweshippin Kandethum by pitting rational investigation against religious dogma in a superstitious setting. It introduces supernatural elements such as the demonic Kolli Deva, symbols of fire and blood, and unresolved tensions between Shiva and community leaders. While the protagonist receives detailed backstory, secondary characters lack similar depth, limiting emotional investment in their arcs.

Raj B Shetty anchors the film with a nuanced performance, conveying Shiva’s grief, isolation, and vulnerability through hallucinations of the dead and his tender bond with neighbor Belli, a child facing her own family absence. Technical choices like loud music and generic visuals occasionally disrupt immersion, and a key twist arrives prematurely. These elements prevent the solid mystery framework from fully engaging viewers.

Rakkasapuradhol delivers a methodical slasher structure with an unnerving finale and intricate reveals, though subtler execution and better character development could elevate it further in the Kannada thriller landscape. It highlights ongoing genre trends blending mental health struggles with rural folklore conflicts.