Megastar Chiranjeevi teamed up with Anil Ravipudi for the first time for the family entertainer Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu. The movie features Nayanthara as the female lead. The biggie is also special since it features Victory Venkatesh in a cameo. Amid good expectations and fan frenzy, the movie hit the big screens today. Let’s see how it is.
Story:
As the title suggests, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is all about an NSG officer, Shankara Varaprasad (Chiranjeevi), who has a broken marriage with a wealthy woman, Sasirekha (Nayanthara). The leading lady divorces the protagonist after a few misunderstandings. The rest of the film is about how Shankara Varaprasad fixes his troubled married life.
Plus Points:
Inarguably, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu showcases the most entertaining avatar of Megastar Chiranjeevi post comeback, and it’s a delight to watch the legendary actor at his absolute best. The actor’s energy levels even at this age are remarkable, and he looks highly charming and stylish.
Chiru has earned massive stardom not just due to his larger-than-life mass roles, but more for his relatable characters that connect directly with middle-class audiences. Anil Ravipudi depicts his love towards Chiru by perfectly understanding this and presents the Megastar in a way we once adored him. If Waltair Veerayya brought back vintage Chiru to some extent, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu does that to a great extent. Be it comedy or dance or emotions, Megastar proves why he is the king of entertainment.
Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is a family drama that primarily deals with the broken marriage of the lead pair. In his trademark style, Anil Ravipudi loads the movie with enjoyable comedy sequences, but there are also some sensible emotions. They are not great, but they seem sensible in a film that is made purely to entertain audiences. Especially the portion where Chiru addresses the growing divorce cases is neatly presented.
Comparatively, the first half is more entertaining, and the editing here is tight with a fast-paced screenplay. Chiru’s scenes with kids came out very well. Nayanthara shines in a neat role, bringing her signature charm. Her scenes with Megastar came out pretty well. Especially their initial conversation scenes, which rely mostly on gestures, are beautiful.
Venkatesh’s track, though short-lived, is amusing. Chiru and Venky dancing to each other’s popular songs is purely a treat to watch. Venkatesh’s styling is very well done. The lyrical songs have already become good hits, and they are presented well on screen. The surprise folk song is a blast during the interval.
Minus Points:
Just like Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is also made solely with the intention to amuse audiences by offering a harmless fun experience, and in this process, logic goes for a toss. To enjoy the proceedings, one needs to forget the logical part.
The story isn’t new, and if someone expects novelty, they might be a bit disappointed. The main complaint is the villain track, which is quite routine in nature. Sudev Nair, who shined in Pawan Kalyan’s OG, played the antagonist, but his character is underwritten as the family drama and fun moments dominate his portions.
The second half feels a bit stretched, and the editing could have been tighter here. It’s not that this hour is bad, but due to a few repetitive moments, the impact is slightly reduced. The climax also has a tinge of comedy, with the hero and villain engaging in banter, but the fight sequence lacks punch and the movie ends on a rather simple note.
Technical Aspects:
Bheems Ceciroleo did a good job, and his songs are neatly translated onto the screen. Sameer Reddy’s cinematography is fine, and some visuals are pretty good. The editing, as stated earlier, is a mixed bag. The styling and looks of Chiru are damn good.
Anil Ravipudi once again delivers as he packs the film with enough captivating moments. Self-deprecating humor isn’t explored often in our industry, and it’s good to see him regularly explore this angle. As promised, the director presents the Megastar in a way fans and audiences will celebrate him, while also ensuring there is a touch of emotion. That said, there are some over-the-top moments which Anil should try to control, as at times they can become draining for viewers.
Verdict:
On the whole, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is an enjoyable family drama with a good amount of fun moments and decent emotions. This is easily Megastar Chiranjeevi’s most entertaining avatar post comeback. His minute expressions, comic timing, histrionics, and emotional act will please audiences and fans. The highly engaging first half, Nayanthara and Venkatesh’s presence, and good music are the other major positives. However, the momentum drops in the second half, with repetitive scenes, regular villain track, and a simple climax. Had these aspects been handled better, the impact would have been much higher. Still, Anil Ravipudi packs the film with enough ingredients, making this flick a satisfactory festive watch.
