The Sankranthi season brings with it the promise of big-screen family entertainers, and director Anil Ravipudi's latest offering, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, starring Megastar Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara, fits squarely into that bracket. Promising a light-hearted escape, the film delivers intermittent laughs but ultimately feels like a low-effort attempt, earning a modest rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.
A Festive Setup with Familiar Charm
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by high-concept plots, Anil Ravipudi has carved a niche with his defiantly uncomplicated, Telugu-first family comedies. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu continues this tradition, presenting itself as a cinematic feast meant for every member of the family. The film boasts a stellar cast led by the ever-dynamic 70-year-old Chiranjeevi, who plays Shankara Vara Prasad, a celebrated but bumbling national security officer. He is joined by the radiant Nayanthara as Sashikala, his estranged, ultra-rich wife, and features a special appearance by Victory Venkatesh.
The setup is classic Ravipudi. Shankara is a reimagined, older version of Chiranjeevi's iconic Chantabbai character—a hero who is often the butt of the joke. The film follows a pattern where his bold claims about his competence are immediately undercut by comical failures, only for him to redeem himself later. The early portions work reasonably well, establishing a cute and believable dynamic between Chiru and Nayanthara, despite the noticeable age gap. The meet-cute sequences and the evolution of their relationship into an ego tussle involving their children form one of the film's more engaging aspects.
Where the Comedy Loses Its Spark
However, the film's initial charm quickly gives way to complacency. The narrative takes a turn when Shankara, in a Main Hoon Na-inspired plot, moves into a boarding school to reconnect with his two estranged children. While the premise holds potential for heartfelt and clever comedy, the execution falters. The writing begins to rely heavily on contrived situations and forced gags.
Instead of organic humour flowing from character traits, the film resorts to "low-hanging" comedic ideas. Jokes involving an overweight child, a tribal man, and a group of women discussing false cases against their husbands feel dated and lazy. A far-fetched villain track is inserted seemingly just to justify the high-flying action sequences, and Venkatesh's cameo, while welcome, lacks a solid purpose or impactful integration into the story.
This cavalier attitude extends to the film's social consciousness. In one particularly jarring scene, the male protagonist slaps his female counterpart—a moment treated with alarming triviality. The film offers feeble arguments to downplay the act and, in a problematic twist, ends with the woman apologizing. When a child in the audience can predict the slap, it highlights a serious lapse in the filmmakers' sense of responsibility.
Performances and Final Verdict
On the performance front, Chiranjeevi's energy is undeniable. He throws himself into the goofy role with gusto, proving his timeless screen presence. Nayanthara brings elegance and ease to her part, making her romantic equation with the Megastar work better than one might expect. The supporting cast, including Sharat Saxena and Zarina Wahab, perform adequately within the film's broad framework.
Clocking in at 165 minutes, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is not a complete dud. It offers a breezy, undemanding watch compared to more intense big-screen fare. Yet, for a team comprising a hit-maker director and iconic stars, the output feels underwhelming. The film settles for easy, contrived laughs when it had all the ingredients to deliver a genuinely clever and memorable family entertainer. It serves as a reminder that even festive spreads need thoughtful preparation to truly satisfy.
