The landscape of Telugu cinema is undergoing a massive shift toward larger-than-life dark fantasy and mythological epics, and director Mani Tellaguti's Trikala - The Script of God is a highly commendable, atmospheric addition to this trend. Moving far away from routine, comedy-infused horror templates, Trikala constructs a dark, mystical world in the vein of acclaimed dark fantasies, utilizing the deep-rooted concepts of karma, reincarnation, and tantric mysticism. Presented and distributed globally by Chaganti Production LLP, the film is a technically grand visual experience that stands out as a highly unique cinematic experiment.
The narrative of Trikala is woven across a captivating dual timeline that keeps viewers hooked through its sheer lore. The story begins centuries ago in the legendary, prehistoric land of Kumari Kandam. To protect powerful, ancient tantric secrets and sacred scriptures from falling into the hands of rising dark forces, high-power sages forge a divine weapon called "Shakti Yetha" and entrust it to the warrior-king Trikala Varma. When Trikala Varma falls in battle, the sages preserve his soul inside a mystical cocoon called the "Maya Andam", prophesying that his spirit will rise again to confront evil during the Kali Yuga.
In the modern era, the mystery unfolds when a young man named Shiva (Master Mahendran) arrives in the city in search of his missing girlfriend, Nidhi (Sahithi Avancha), while carrying a smartphone mysteriously possessed by a malevolent spirit. His path intersects with Vaitaran (Ajay), a man suffering from a rare, genetic skin disease that makes him severely intolerant to sunlight, who is bound to an ancient, haunted ancestral bungalow. The narrative reaches its peak when a pragmatic psychiatrist, Dr. Maya (Shraddha Das), enters this haunted estate to investigate, only to find herself trapped inside a dark web of black magic as a tantric cult attempts to activate the ancient Maya Andam.
Anchor to this supernatural maze is the film's main lead, Shraddha Das, who delivers a masterfully controlled and magnetic performance. Often celebrated for her stunning, drop-dead gorgeous visual appeal and curvaceous figure, Shraddha steps into a highly performance-oriented role as Dr. Maya. Dressed in beautifully simple, elegant cotton sarees, her understated style highlights her natural beauty and striking facial features, making her an absolute visual delight in every frame. Even in a de-glam role, her sophisticated screen appeal and sensuality remain spectacular and undeniable. The camera absolutely loves her, capturing her expressive, arresting gaze that perfectly conveys the rising psychological dread of her character's plight. Dr. Maya represents the voice of logic and science thrust into an illogical, terrifying nightmare, and Shraddha portrays this transition with brilliant emotional depth and vulnerability. Her commanding screen presence anchors the entire second half, proving once again that she is a highly versatile actress who can seamlessly blend effortless glamour with serious, dramatic acting.
The supporting cast stands up beautifully alongside her. Ajay delivers a career-best, intensely physical performance as the tormented Vaitaran, utilizing custom-designed masks and brooding body language to capture the agony of his character's curse. Master Mahendran acts with wonderful, natural ease, bringing an innocent vulnerability to Shiva, while veteran actress Amani provides the much-needed maternal warmth and heavy emotional weight.
Technically, Trikala is outstanding. Cinematographer Pavan Chenna works wonders behind the lens, capturing dense forest backdrops, sprawling temples, and dusty caves with rich, dark-toned visual design, golden lighting, and sharp shadows. This visual grandeur is heavily elevated by the audio department. Harshavardhan Rameshwar's melodious tracks add rich depth, while composer Shajith Humayun delivers a spine-chilling, theatrical background score that ramps up the panic during the movie's terrifying black-magic sequences. Furthermore, the visual effects (VFX) and CGI are remarkably polished, with the creation of the divine Maya Andam and the stunning, action-packed interval block leaving a lasting impression.
While the screenplay gets slightly complex towards the final act as it attempts to tie reincarnation, quantum tech, and tantric black magic into a single narrative, any minor pacing issues are easily forgiven. The film's unique mythological premise, state-of-the-art visual style, and, most importantly, the highly impactful performance of Shraddha Das make Trikala - The Script of God a must-watch. Currently streaming on Sun NXT since July 9, 2026, it is a dark mystic gem well worth experiencing.