Choo Mantar

Gowtham aka Dynamo is a paranormal expert and has his own team which includes RJ, Akanksha and Nakul. Due to Akanksha's insistence, they all plan to visit Morgan House in Uttarakhand which is now deemed as a haunted house and probable location with hidden treasure. Morgan House is haunted by a spirit and we see a family of four, moving into it. Soon they start experiencing paranormal activity with their child acting strange. What happens to the family? What is the story behind the spirit? Does Gowtham and crew find the hidden treasure? The film tries to answer all of this with an half hearted attempt at building an horror universe.

Navneeth is an ambitious director but his vision is hindered by pretty mediocre vfx and the attempt at generating horror is undone by it as well as the poor background score. The one toned narrative remains uneven and the only positive was the pre-interval reveal about the events happening with the family and Gowtham's crew. The attempt should have been at making a true blue horror film with the focus on the exorcism as the comedy dialogues remained completely flat. There wasn't much double meaning dialogues which was another plus. But the overuse of green screen and not filming in the actual locations, impact the viewing experience severely. The half hearted attempt at building an horror universe with not just a sequel announcement but aligning itself with an existing classic looked extremely forced.

"Choo Mantar," directed by Navaneeth, is a Kannada horror-comedy that artfully blends supernatural elements with humor. The film follows Dynamo (Sharan) and his team-RJ (Chikkanna), Akanksha (Aditi Prabhudeva), and Nakul (Kiran Chandrashekar)-as they delve into the mysteries of the haunted Morgan House in Nainital, rumored to conceal a hidden treasure.

The narrative unfolds across three timelines: 1945, revealing the house's sinister past; 2004, where a ghost hunter seeks answers; and 2024, with Dynamo uncovering the truth. This structure adds depth and intrigue, keeping viewers engaged.

Sharan delivers a compelling performance, seamlessly balancing humor with the film's eerie atmosphere. Chikkanna's comedic timing complements Sharan's, enhancing the film's entertainment value. Aditi Prabhudeva and Meghana Gaonkar add unexpected twists to their roles, while Prabhu Mundkur and Kiran Chandrashekar, along with Rajani Bharadwaj, support the story effectively.

Technically, the film excels. Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty's work amplifies the horror experience, and cinematographer Anup Kattukaran captures the mansion's ominous ambiance with finesse.

While "Choo Mantar" may not offer groundbreaking horror, it stands out for its unique blend of genres, engaging performances, and technical excellence. It's a must-watch for fans of horror-comedy and those seeking a fresh take on the supernatural genre.

Aditi Prabhudeva, one of Kannada cinema's most charming actresses, has been a fan favorite for her natural beauty and strong screen presence. From her breakout roles in films like Ranganayaki (2019) and Old Monk (2022) to her relatable YouTube vlogs, she's consistently impressed with her effortless appeal. However, her recent appearance in the horror-comedy Choo Mantar (2025) has sparked a wave of discussion among fans-some of whom feel she didn't quite shine as brightly as usual. So, what's behind this shift? Is it the postpartum phase, the movie's makeup, or simply a matter of perception?

A New Look in Choo Mantar Released on January 10, 2025, Choo Mantar sees Aditi Prabhudeva playing Akanksha, part of a quirky team exploring the haunted Morgan House alongside Sharan, Meghana Gaonkar, and Chikkanna. The film, directed by Navaneeth, blends spooky thrills with comedy, and Aditi's role has been praised for fitting the narrative well. Critics have noted her ability to sync with her character's demands, bringing depth to the ensemble cast. Yet, some viewers have pointed out a stark contrast to her usual on-screen glow, citing visible pimples, uneven lips, a prominent nose, and a fuller face as distractions.

Fans familiar with Aditi's YouTube channel-where she often appears bare-faced and radiant-were quick to notice the difference. "She looks so good without makeup on her channel, but in Choo Mantar, the heavy makeup makes her skin look off," one viewer remarked. Another added, "Her lips and nose seemed exaggerated, and the pimples were hard to miss. She's usually stunning-what happened here?" Postpartum Timing: A Natural Factor?

Aditi welcomed her first child, a daughter, in December 2024, just a month before Choo Mantar hit theaters. This timing has led to speculation that postpartum changes might be at play. Pregnancy and the early postpartum period often bring physical transformations-hormonal acne, water retention, and slight weight gain are common as the body adjusts. If the film was shot in late 2024, Aditi could have been pregnant or freshly postpartum, which might explain the fuller face and skin issues some fans noticed.

However, Aditi hasn't publicly addressed these observations, and her natural resilience has always been part of her charm. In her YouTube videos, she's glowed even during this phase, suggesting that the movie's presentation might be more about styling than her actual state.

Movie Makeup: The Real Culprit?

Interestingly, the heavy makeup in Choo Mantar seems to be a bigger talking point. Unlike her no-makeup YouTube persona, the film's aesthetic demanded a layered look-likely foundation, contour, and perhaps special effects to suit the horror-comedy tone. This could have clogged pores or irritated her skin, especially if she was already sensitive post-pregnancy. "The makeup looks caked on," a fan noted. "It's like they tried too hard to fit the spooky vibe, but it backfired on her skin." In a genre like horror-comedy, the focus isn't always on glamour. The eerie Morgan House setting called for a raw, less-polished vibe, and the makeup team might have prioritized mood over perfection. Compare this to her glamorous roles in earlier films or her natural YouTube glow, and the contrast becomes clear. The pimples and uneven texture could simply be a case of movie magic gone slightly awry.

Still a Star at Heart Despite the chatter, Aditi's performance in Choo Mantar hasn't been overshadowed. Reviews highlight her contribution to the film's quirky charm, and her chemistry with the cast keeps the story engaging. Fans agree she's "all good" at her core-her talent and appeal remain intact. This isn't the first time an actress's appearance has sparked debate, but it's a reminder that cinema is as much about artifice as it is about authenticity.

So, was it the postpartum phase or the movie's makeup that altered Aditi Prabhudeva's look in Choo Mantar? Likely a bit of both. Her natural beauty shines through in real life, but the film's demands painted a different picture. As she settles into motherhood and her next projects, fans can rest assured-this is just a temporary detour for a star who's always been a standout.

What do you think of Aditi's Choo Mantar look? Drop your thoughts below, and catch the film streaming on Amazon Prime Video now!

Choo Mantar is an absolute treat for fans of entertaining yet well-crafted cinema. Despite not featuring star actors, the casting is spot-on, with every character fitting their role perfectly. Sharan and Aditi deliver outstanding performances, and Chikkanna's comedy adds the perfect dose of laughter we've come to expect from a Sharan movie.

The first half is incredibly engaging, with an outstanding twist at the intermission that left me stunned. The makers deserve credit for not cramming in unnecessary songs, allowing the narrative to flow seamlessly. While the second half is slightly flatter compared to the first, it doesn't take away much from the overall experience.

A special mention to the Vishnu Dada scene-it was an unexpected surprise that added depth and nostalgia. If this marks the beginning of continuing Vishnu Sir's legacy through Nagavalli-inspired stories, I am all for it.

The cliffhanger ending has raised expectations for potential sequels, and I can't wait to see what's next. Overall, Choo Mantar is a decent, well-executed film that entertains while staying true to its genre.

Obviously those giving this 10 are part of the cast and crew of the film production. Not much abput this film can score any points. Acting utterly atrocious, over dramatic, unbelievable, facial mannerisms laughable bordering on atrocious, dialect of dialogue far from helping the horror genre, actually it hindered it. The only redeeming point i could offer this flaming wreck is for some of the set design, cinematograhy and as for the must lauded sound design what a laugh this was nothing more than the typical soundscapes sound found in most B horror in this day and age.

Dont waste your time much better horrors out there.