Cheekatilo OTT Review: Sobhita Dhulipala Crime Thriller Struggles to Shine

Cheekatilo, starring Sobhita Dhulipala, premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 23, 2026. The film follows Sandhya, a journalist-turned-podcaster, as she investigates a string of gruesome murders. While Sobhita delivers a strong performance and the film tackles socially relevant themes, inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, and predictable plot points make it a moderately engaging watch rather than a gripping thriller.

Cheekatilo: The Premise

Cheekatilo, directed by Sharan Koppisetty and produced by D. Suresh Babu, is a gritty crime thriller designed for OTT audiences. The film centers on Sandhya, played by Sobhita Dhulipala, a journalist who leaves her sensationalist TV career to create a podcast focused on true crime.

The story kicks into high gear when Sandhya’s close friend and partner are murdered, drawing her into a chilling investigation that uncovers a series of connected crimes. The film attempts to balance suspense, social commentary, and emotional depth, but while the concept is compelling, execution remains inconsistent.

Sobhita Dhulipala: The Heart of the Film

Sobhita Dhulipala’s performance is the backbone of Cheekatilo. She portrays Sandhya with emotional restraint, intensity, and authenticity, allowing the audience to feel her fear, determination, and vulnerability. Her ability to convey subtle emotion ensures that even in slower narrative stretches, viewers remain engaged.

Her nuanced performance is particularly effective in scenes where Sandhya confronts survivors or digs into the investigation’s darker aspects. While the script doesn’t always provide depth, Sobhita’s acting keeps the story from completely losing momentum.

Story and Narrative: Ambitious but Uneven

The plot of Cheekatilo is ambitious, tackling the investigation of a serial killer through the lens of a journalist-turned-podcaster. The premise is modern and relevant, reflecting the popularity of true-crime podcasts in real life.

However, the screenplay suffers from uneven pacing. Several scenes that should build tension feel flat, while crucial plot points are rushed. The film oscillates between suspenseful sequences and melodramatic exposition, which dilutes the narrative tension.

Some viewers may find the investigative elements predictable, as the killer’s identity and motives are revealed without enough surprises or twists. Consequently, while the premise has potential, the execution fails to fully realize it.

Supporting Cast: Mixed Impact

The supporting cast includes Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Aamani, and Vadlamani Srinivas. While they deliver competent performances, their characters are underwritten, limiting audience investment.

• Viswadev Rachakonda provides a steady presence but lacks a meaningful arc.
• Chaitanya Visalakshmi’s police officer role is too superficial to add tension or depth.
• Aamani and Vadlamani Srinivas are present in the narrative but serve primarily as exposition devices.

In essence, the supporting characters contribute to the story mechanically rather than organically, which weakens the film’s ensemble strength.

Alos Read : New Super Mario Galaxy Trailer Reveals Yoshi – Full Breakdown, Story Clues & Fan Reactions

Themes and Social Commentary

Despite its shortcomings, Cheekatilo attempts to address important social issues. The film explores themes such as societal indifference toward survivors of abuse, victim-blaming, and the need for awareness about sexual violence.

The film’s climax includes a monologue urging audiences to break the silence and support survivors, signaling a clear intent to educate while entertaining. These socially relevant elements elevate the film’s purpose beyond mere crime procedural storytelling, even if they are sometimes undermined by graphic violence and uneven pacing.

Technical Craft: Strengths and Limitations

Technically, Cheekatilo demonstrates solid craftsmanship.

• Cinematography effectively uses darkness and shadow to convey suspense, aligning with the title’s literal meaning (“Cheekatilo” translates to “In the Dark”).
• Background Score by Sricharan Pakala enhances tension, particularly during investigative sequences.
• Editing maintains clarity in most sequences, though abrupt transitions occasionally disrupt narrative flow.

However, polished visuals and sound design cannot fully compensate for weak plot construction or inconsistent pacing. The film looks sleek but sometimes lacks the emotional and narrative depth that thrillers require.

Audience Reception

Public reactions have been mixed.

• Positive Feedback: Many viewers appreciated Sobhita Dhulipala’s performance and the attempt to integrate social messages within a thriller framework.
• Negative Feedback: Critics and audiences noted that the film’s suspense felt predictable, and the pacing lagged in several key sequences.

Overall, the audience response suggests that while the film has merits, it does not consistently deliver the intensity and intrigue expected from a gripping OTT thriller.

Comparing Cheekatilo to Other OTT Crime Thrillers

When compared to other contemporary crime thrillers like Drishyam 2 or Raat Akeli Hai, Cheekatilo falls short in:

• Sustained tension throughout the narrative.
• Complex characterization beyond the lead protagonist.
• Unpredictable plot twists that shock or surprise the audience.

Where it succeeds is in:

• Modern narrative relevance with the podcasting angle.
• Sobhita Dhulipala’s restrained yet impactful performance.
• Attempting to embed social commentary within a thriller format.

Verdict: Should You Watch Cheekatilo?

Cheekatilo is worth watching if you are interested in crime thrillers with social relevance and a strong female lead. Sobhita Dhulipala’s performance alone makes the film engaging in key sequences.

However, if you are looking for a taut, edge-of-your-seat thriller, the film may feel underwhelming due to predictable twists, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped supporting characters.

In short: it’s a moderate OTT experience — entertaining at times, educational at others, but not fully satisfying as a suspense-driven thriller.

Alos Read : Supergirl Teaser Reveals Jason Momoa as Lobo – First Look, Character Breakdown & DC Future

FAQs

Q1: What is Cheekatilo about?
A: Cheekatilo follows Sandhya, a journalist-turned-podcaster, investigating connected murders while confronting social issues around abuse and justice.

Q2: Where can I watch Cheekatilo?
A: The film is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Q3: Who plays the lead in Cheekatilo?
A: Sobhita Dhulipala stars as Sandhya, the central character.

Q4: Is Cheekatilo a good thriller?
A: It has a strong premise and engaging moments but suffers from inconsistent pacing and predictable plot points.

Q5: Does the film have social messages?
A: Yes, it highlights victim-blaming, abuse awareness, and the importance of speaking out.

Q6: How long is Cheekatilo?
A: The film has a runtime of approximately 115 minutes.

Cheekatilo may not redefine the OTT thriller genre, but it offers an earnest performance from Sobhita Dhulipala, relevant social themes, and a contemporary investigative angle. For fans of crime dramas, it provides enough intrigue and commentary to make it worth streaming — just manage your expectations regarding suspense and narrative depth.

Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates and information about celebrities and entertainment.