The Telugu language commercial cinema landscape has seen its fair share of supernatural horror and fantasy tales, varying in their quality. One can either find enjoyment in these films for their entertainment value or disdain them for appearing to lack a deeper purpose. Virupaksha, directed by Kartik Varma Dandu, falls into the latter category, as it attempts to rekindle the supernatural fantasy genre without much success. It leaves us questioning why Telugu cinema struggles to craft a captivating narrative in this genre that would keep audiences engaged throughout the film.

The story of Virupaksha revolves around a remote village where a malevolent supernatural entity discreetly takes control, initiating a series of killings among the adult population. The central question is how this malevolent force will be apprehended and ultimately vanquished.

The narrative unfolds by delving into the tragic history of the village. It starts with a man suspected of performing black magic, leading to a horrific incident where he and his wife are burned alive by a fearful and outraged mob of villagers. This brutal act was incited by someone who manipulated the villagers' fear of their children succumbing to an unexplained plague. The couple's young son witnesses their gruesome death and is subsequently sent to an orphanage due to the villagers' distrust of his lineage.

Years later, the story introduces Surya and his mother, who visit the village for a festival. Unaware of the village's dark past, they plan to stay at the home of their relatives. As Surya becomes enamored with a local girl named Nandini, the plot explores their budding relationship and the challenges they face due to their different backgrounds and upbringings.

The festival takes a sinister turn when an infected man dies in front of the village deity, triggering a lockdown announced by the village priest, who believes that lifting the curse requires adherence to strict rituals. This leads to fear and tension among the villagers, who obediently follow the priest's guidance due to their strong belief in blind faith.

The story takes a dark turn when a friend of Nandini's defies the lockdown and meets a tragic end, inadvertently breaking the spiritual protection surrounding the village. Her death sets off a chain of inexplicable suicides among the villagers. Surya, determined to uncover the truth, investigates the deaths and begins to suspect supernatural forces at play.

Surya's quest for answers eventually leads him to the realization that Nandini is connected to the deaths. He believes that someone from the village helped trigger the curse. Surya embarks on a race against time to find a way to save Nandini from being sacrificed and unravels a shocking revelation about her true identity. She is revealed to be the daughter of the man accused of black magic and the woman who was killed, making her the rightful heir to the curse. Nandini and her brother sought revenge for their parents' unjust deaths by using dark magic.

In a desperate bid to stop the ritual and save Nandini, Surya kills her. The possessed villagers collapse, and the malevolent spirit exits her body. The film concludes with Nandini's cremation and Surya's plea to the villagers to reject blind faith and rumors. He proposes the establishment of a school in honor of Nandini's father, a tribute to his memory.

However, the story takes a chilling turn as Surya's eye color changes, suggesting that the malevolent spirit of Bhairava may have possessed him. This hints at the potential for a sequel, indicating that the revenge is far from over.

Virupaksha leaves us with a sense of uncertainty, as the supernatural forces that drove the story continue to linger, potentially setting the stage for future developments in the narrative.