Police Complaint (2026) Review: A Cold Case Haunted By Superstition

This Police Complaint review starts with a simple point: Sanjeev Megoti's Telugu thriller is better at building dread than at paying it off. It mixes a police procedural with supernatural unease, and it keeps you curious for most of its long running time.

The film arrived in India on 12 June 2026 with a UA16+ censor rating. Here is how it works, where it slips and whether it deserves your evening.

Police Complaint Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Police Complaint plot opens with a terrible crime. A pregnant woman is killed in what appears to be a black magic ritual, and the case goes cold.

Years later, a police officer decides to reopen the file. Soon, people connected to the crime begin to die in mysterious ways, and the investigation points toward a disturbing network of superstition, corruption and buried secrets. The tagline, "The past never stays buried," sums up the mood well.

This is an action-labelled film in the database, but it plays more like a horror-tinged mystery. Expect investigation and suspense rather than constant set pieces.

What Works in Police Complaint

The biggest strength is atmosphere. Reviews single out the horror sequences and suspenseful moments as the film's best assets, and that matches the way the story is built around fear of the unseen.

The screenplay also tightens as it goes. The Hans India notes that it gradually intensifies and keeps curiosity alive, and another critic says the first half sets up suspense and mystery before the second half picks up speed.

• Slow-burn setup: the mystery gets room to breathe.

• Social edge: superstition and corruption give the scares a real-world sting.

• Late momentum: the pace rises in the back half.

If you like crime stories with a chill, our Mystery movie reviews and Thriller movie reviews pages have more in the same vein.

Police Complaint Cast and Performances

The Police Complaint cast is led by Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and she is the film's anchor. One review calls her performance commanding and says she carries the film with remarkable confidence. That fits a role built around a determined investigator.

She is joined by Naveen Chandra, Saptagiri, Ragini Dwivedi, Rajshri Nair and P. Ravi Shankar. I can't speak to every character here without drifting into spoilers, but the ensemble gives the mystery a healthy number of faces to suspect.

Saptagiri's presence may surprise viewers who know him for comedy, though how the film uses him is best left to discover. Overall, the supporting cast serves the plot rather than stealing attention from the lead.

Where Police Complaint Stumbles

The main complaint is the ending. The Times of India headlined its review "An intriguing mystery with an underwhelming payoff," and that echoes the common worry that the setup promises more than the resolution delivers.

At 156 minutes, the film is also long for a mystery. A slower first half tests patience, especially if you come expecting the high-octane action the genre label suggests.

Critics are not unanimous either. IndustryHit gave it 3/5 and Indian Community gave it 4/5, while IMDb shows 6.1/10 on a Prime Video listing. That adds up to a decent, not remarkable, reception.

Is Police Complaint Worth Watching?

Yes, Police Complaint is worth watching if you enjoy cold-case mysteries with a supernatural shadow. Director Sanjeev Megoti, who also wrote the film, builds a creepy, curious investigation and gives Varalaxmi Sarathkumar a strong platform.

Just set your expectations. The journey is more satisfying than the destination, and the long runtime asks for some patience. For a wider look at the genre, browse our Action movie reviews.

If you like Indian cop dramas, you might also check out Kartavya (2026) Review: A Cop's Duty Meets Family Peril. You can find more production details on the Police Complaint Wikipedia page.

Who Will Enjoy Police Complaint

• Fans of Telugu thrillers that blend police work with horror.

• Viewers who like slow-burn mysteries that speed up in the second half.

• Anyone who wants to see Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in a commanding lead role.