Hey guys! Whats up? Today i am super excited to share my thoughts on “Pendulum” movie which is now available in Telugu on ETV Win from May 22, 2025. This movie is really different from usual telugu movies we watch and i think you all gonna find it super interesting! Let me tell you all about this mind-twisting thriller that will make your brain work extra hard!
Movie Summary
“Pendulum” is a Malayalam film directed by Rejin S. Babu that has been remade into Telugu. The tale revolves around Dr. Mahesh Narayan (Vijay Babu), who has lately returned to Kerala from Australia with his wife Shwetha and daughter Thanmayi. During a one-day family trip to Marayur, strange things start happening. Dr. Mahesh experiences déjà vu, has weird dreams, and is mysteriously found unconscious on the side of the road after being hit by a truck.
The movie connects Dr. Mahesh’s experiences with another storyline involving two children named Amir and Angel who share dreams. As the story unfolds, we discover that Dr. Mahesh is somehow connected to these children through lucid dreaming and time loops. With help from his friend Dr. Jain Joseph and lucid dream expert John Master, Dr. Mahesh tries to uncover the mystery behind these strange occurrences and how they all connect together.
Story Analysis
The story of “Pendulum” is not your typical mass masala movie! It deals with very complex ideas like lucid dreaming (where you know you are dreaming and can control it) and time travel. The screenplay combines elements that remind of international movies like “Inception,” “Edge of Tomorrow,” and the series “Dark.”
The movie starts a bit slow and the initial parts with the two teenagers feels a bit different from the main story. But once the lucid dreaming concept is introduced in the second half, the movie becomes super engaging! The director treats time as non-linear, which means past, present and future all happen together.
The best part is how the movie manages to keep you guessing about what’s real and what’s a dream. Dr. Mahesh’s journey to discover the truth about his strange experiences makes you think deeply about reality and dreams. However, sometimes the movie feels like it’s trying to be too complex and the ending leaves some questions unanswered.
Technical Aspects
The technical aspects of “Pendulum” are really impressive considering its budget constraints:
Direction
Rejin S. Babu has done a good job directing this complex story. The way he builds the lucid dream sequences is very creative, especially how he uses simple match cuts in conversation scenes rather than expensive visual effects. The director clearly has a good understanding of the concepts he’s trying to portray.
Cinematography
Arun Damodaran’s cinematography deserves special praise! Unlike many sci-fi movies that rely heavily on green screen effects, “Pendulum” uses minimal visual effects and focuses more on creating atmosphere through lighting and camera angles. The dream sequences are shot in a way that makes them feel both real and surreal at the same time.
Editing
Sooraj ES’s editing helps maintain the mystery and keeps the non-linear narrative flowing. The way the different timelines are intercut helps the audience follow the complex story without getting too confused.
Writing
The screenplay is mostly good but dialogues sometimes feel stiff and unnatural. This is one area where the movie could have been better. The concepts are explained well, like in the scene where John Master explains lucid dreaming to Dr. Mahesh, but some conversations feel more like lectures than natural dialogue.
Lead Actor Performances
Vijay Babu (Dr. Mahesh Narayan)
Vijay Babu gives a very convincing performance as the confused and determined Dr. Mahesh. He effectively portrays the character’s helplessness and desperation as he tries to make sense of the strange events happening around him. His facial expressions and body language perfectly capture the feeling of someone caught between reality and dreams.
Devaki Rajendran (Shwetha)
As Dr. Mahesh’s wife, Devaki Rajendran does a good job making her character feel real and relatable. She brings warmth to the movie and helps ground the story in reality.
Anumol (Angel)
Anumol plays a character shrouded in mystery, and she handles her scenes brilliantly. Her acting heightens the film’s intriguing tone.
Supporting Cast
Ramesh Pisharody, Prakash Bare, Indrans, and Shobi Thilakan all deliver strong supporting performances that help build the world of the movie. Special mention to the child actors who, despite having some overly dramatic dialogues, do their best with the material.
Music and Background Score
Jean P Johnson’s music for “Pendulum” perfectly complements the mysterious and thrilling nature of the story. The background score enhances the tension during key scenes without becoming overwhelming. The songs “Mayum Kaalangal,” “Athirukal Marayave,” and “Roohin Nizhale” are well crafted and complement the film’s theme.
The music has a dreamlike quality to it, which perfectly matches the movie’s concept. The use of certain musical cues helps distinguish between reality and dream sequences, making it easier for the audience to follow the complex narrative.
Rating (4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I’m giving “Pendulum” 4 out of 5 stars because:
- It brings fresh sci-fi concepts rarely seen in Telugu cinema
- The performances, especially by Vijay Babu, are excellent
- The technical execution is impressive for its budget
- The story keeps you engaged and thinking
I’m deducting one star because the dialogues sometimes feel unnatural, and the ending could have provided more clear explanations for some plot elements.
Final Verdict
“Pendulum” is definitely worth watching if you love mind-bending thrillers and are tired of usual commercial movies! It’s refreshing to see such a unique concept being explored in a South Indian film. The combination of lucid dreaming and time travel creates a fascinating story that will keep you thinking about it long after the movie ends.
For Telugu movie lovers looking for something different from the usual action-romance formula, “Pendulum” offers a welcome change. The dubbed version maintains the essence of the original while making it accessible to Telugu audiences.
While it may not be perfect and might confuse some viewers who prefer straightforward narratives, “Pendulum” represents the kind of experimental filmmaking that deserves support. It shows that our regional cinema can tackle complex sci-fi concepts just like international films.
So guys, don’t miss “Pendulum” now streaming on ETV Win from May 22, 2025! Get ready for a mind-twisting journey that will make you question the nature of dreams and reality. Let me know in the comments what you think about the movie after watching it!
Credits: ETV Win
Also Check:
