Movie Name : Cheekatilo
Streaming Date : Jan 23, 2026
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sobhita Dhulipala, Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, Vadlamani Srinivas, Ravindra Vijay
Director : Sharan Koppisetty
Producer : D. Suresh Babu
Music Director : Sricharan Pakala
Cinematographer : Mallikarjun
Editor : KSN
Related Links : Trailer
After a long gap, actress Sobhita Dhulipala has returned to Telugu cinema with Cheekatilo, a web original that marks her debut in the Telugu OTT space. The series is directed by Sharan Koppishetty. Cheekatilo was released today in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil, on Amazon Prime Video and here is our take on how it fares.
Story:
Sandhya (Sobhita Dhulipala), a journalist who quits her job over TRP-driven ethics, starts her own podcast. When her colleague Bobby (Aditi Myakal) and Bobby’s boyfriend are murdered, Sandhya uncovers a pattern linking multiple similar killings. Determined to expose the truth, she investigates the case and shares details through her podcast Cheekatilo, with support from Amar (Vishwadev Rachakonda). Who is behind the murders and why forms the core of the story.
Plus Points:
Sobhita Dhulipala takes on a role that is relatively new for her and handles it with ease. She convincingly portrays the inner pain of a woman haunted by unresolved truths. Vishwadev Rachakonda has limited screen time, but he makes good use of the scope given and leaves an impression.
While crime thrillers often reveal the antagonist early, Cheekatilo keeps the culprit hidden until the pre-climax. However, although the mystery is preserved, the film does not generate the tension required to make that reveal truly gripping.
Director Sharan Koppishetty attempts to explore the idea of unknowingly suppressing trauma through a few scenes, and the narrative from pre-climax to the climax works reasonably well. Aamani, despite limited screen presence, performs effectively. Vadlamani Srinivas gets a neat role, and seeing him in a different shade is refreshing.
Minus Points:
The core issue with Cheekatilo lies not in its concept but in its execution. In serial crime thrillers, sustained tension is crucial to keep viewers engaged. While the story offers ample scope for suspense, the narrative unfolds in a largely flat manner.
Because of this approach, the sense of urgency, what happens next and who could be the next target, rarely comes through. Scenes follow one another, but very few moments create genuine anticipation.
The police investigation, in particular, lacks seriousness and feels artificial, reducing its impact on the narrative. Similarly, the film does not convincingly establish how Sandhya’s podcast gains massive popularity in such a short span, making certain developments feel rushed and overly cinematic.
Several supporting characters, including those played by Ravindra Vijay, Jhansi, Suresh, and Vishwadev, are underwritten, limiting the emotional depth the story could have achieved. At certain points, repetitive scenes make the narrative feel stagnant, as though the film is reluctant to move forward.
Technical Aspects:
While Srikanth Pakala’s background score attempts to create a tense atmosphere, the flat writing prevents those moments from fully landing. Editing by KSN is passable, though trimming a few portions could have improved the pacing. Mallikarjun’s cinematography is adequate and suits the mood of the film. Production values are decent.
Director Sharan Koppishetty, along with co-writer Chandra Pemmaraju, presents a familiar story in a different setup. However, inconsistent execution and the lack of engaging narrative beats make the final result feel routine.
Verdict:
On the whole, Cheekatilo is a crime thriller that works in parts. Sobhita Dhulipala delivers a sincere performance, and the underlying message is clear and well conveyed. However, weak execution in a few portions, a lack of sustained tension at places, and some repetitive moments prevent the film from becoming a compelling thriller. If you enjoy thrillers, you may give it a try, but keep your expectations in check.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
