Ayyana Mane Review: A haunting premise dimmed by weak execution; Ayyana Mane glimmers with promise but fails to ignite in the Kannada OTT space

Set against the lush and misty backdrop of 90s Chikkamagalur, Ayyana Mane brings an eerie, atmospheric tale rooted in one family's dark past. At the center of it is a spine-chilling premise: a house where daughters-in-law mysteriously die, one after the other. When the youngest son, Dushyantha (Akshay Nayak) brings home his new bride, Jaaji (Kushee Ravi), a chain of unsettling events unfolds. Her arrival marks the sudden death of Dushyantha’s father, sending Jaaji into a spiral of fear and curiosity as she begins to uncover the secrets of the house.
Jaaji’s journey is one of quiet strength and subtle investigation. Her fears of being the next victim are palpable, yet she bravely delves into the past, trying to decode the mystery. Is it a family curse, or is something far more sinister at play in Ayyana Mane?The six-episode series, each around 20 minutes, opens with promise and atmospheric tension. However, the narrative loses momentum as it progresses. The screenplay often feels choppy, as if a movie were sliced into episodes without a natural flow. Subplots are introduced but not fully developed, and the transitions between scenes feel abrupt, impacting the overall viewer engagement.
One of the series’ major strengths lies in its haunting music, composed by L.V. Muthu and Ganesh, sons of the legendary L. Vaidyanathan. Their background score elevates many scenes, wrapping them in a layer of unease and emotional depth. The eerie compositions beautifully align with the setting and tone of the story, becoming one of the standout elements of the series.

Performance-wise, Kushee Ravi delivers a strong portrayal of Jaaji, capturing the innocence and growing fear of a new bride trapped in a mystery-laden household. Akshay Nayak, as Dushyantha, complements her well.
However, it is Mansi Sudheer who truly grabs attention, especially in the series' climax, with her compelling performance that leaves a lasting impression.Actor Vijay Shobraj, Hitha Chandrashekar, Anirudh Acharya, RJ Anoopa, Kushi Chandrashekar, and Archana Kottige all deliver in their roles, but unfortunately, the limited screen time and hurried pacing prevent their characters from making a deeper impact. A bit more screen space for these supporting actors could have added more strength and depth to the narrative.
Director Ramesh Indira and producer Shruti Naidu deserve appreciation for attempting something fresh and different in the Kannada OTT space. Ayyana Mane stands out as one of the first original web series in Kannada and shows that the industry is ready to experiment with genre and form. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. A more polished script and cohesive storytelling could have transformed this series into a true milestone.
Ayyana Mane is a chilling idea with promising performances and haunting music but falls short in storytelling and pacing. It feels more like a film cut into parts than a gripping episodic thriller. While it may serve as a decent one-time watch, the series doesn’t quite live up to the hype. A flickering candle of suspense rather than a blazing torch for Kannada’s OTT future.