Does “Mruthyunjay” Work as a Gripping Crime Thriller ?

Release Date: March 06, 2026

Cast: Sri Vishnu, Reba Monica John, Veer Aryan, Baby Ooha, Sudarshan and others

Director: Sri Hussain Sha Kiran

Producers: Sandeep Gurram, Vinay Chilakapati

Music Director: Kaala Bhairava

Cinematographer: Vidya Sagar Chinta

Editor: Sreekar Prasad

Story:
Jai alias Mruthyunjay works in a newspaper called “Swechha” where he collects advertisements related to death notices. Though he is good at his job, his dream is to join the crime bureau department as a journalist. However, due to lack of experience he does not get the opportunity. One day, while collecting an advertisement related to a death notice, Jai senses that something suspicious lies behind that death. As he begins to investigate the matter, he slowly uncovers shocking truths and eventually finds himself facing a powerful and dangerous person. What happens next and how Jai deals with the situation forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points:
Sri Vishnu, who is mostly known for entertaining the audience with comedy-based films, tries a completely different genre with this movie and delivers a strong performance. He portrays the serious role of a determined journalist convincingly and keeps the audience engaged. The way the film explores the mystery behind a death and the curiosity of the protagonist to uncover the truth is presented effectively. Another major highlight of the film is the powerful villain character. Veer Aryan performs impressively and creates a strong presence on screen. The mind game between the hero and villain in the second half is engaging and adds suspense to the narrative. Reba Monica John also delivers a good performance as a police officer and impresses especially in the climax action sequence. The absence of a forced romantic track also works well for the film’s serious tone.

Minus Points:
Although “Mruthyunjay” is an honest attempt, certain flaws prevent it from reaching the next level. The opening portions of the film are its biggest drawback. The way the story begins and how the hero’s background is introduced does not create much excitement. The first half moves at a very casual pace and the film only gains momentum closer to the interval. The pacing issues in the first hour are quite noticeable. Some scenes between Sri Vishnu and his friends could have been written in a more engaging manner. Moreover, the core concept of the film is not entirely new, so audiences expecting a very fresh or unique storyline might feel slightly disappointed.

Technical Department:
Kaala Bhairava’s background score plays a crucial role in enhancing the suspense and elevates several intense scenes effectively. Vidya Sagar’s cinematography looks neat and supports the mood of the film. The production values are also decent. Director Sri Hussain Sha Kiran handles the cat-and-mouse game between the hero and villain quite well, especially in the latter half. However, the first half could have been more gripping with tighter writing and narration.

Verdict:
Overall, “Mruthyunjay” turns out to be a decent crime thriller. Sri Vishnu impresses with his performance and his attempt to explore a new genre. Reba Monica John and Veer Aryan also support the film well with their performances. The mind game between the hero and villain in the second half keeps the audience interested. However, the slow and less engaging first half slightly affects the overall impact. Fans of crime thrillers can give this movie a try.

Rating: 3/5