Starring: Sharwanand, Krithi Shetty, Vikram Aditya, Seerat Kapoor, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ravindran, Ayesha Khan, Rahul Ramakrishna, Shiva Kandukuri
Director: Sriram Adittya
Producer: T.G. Vishwa Prasad
Music Director: Hesham Abdul Wahab
Cinematographers: Vishnu Sarma, Gnanashekar V.S.
Editor: Prawin Pudi
In “Manamey,” Sharwanand returns to the big screen alongside Kriti Shetty as the female lead. Directed and written by Sriram Adittya, the movie’s trailer raised anticipation among the audience. The film premiered worldwide on June 7, inviting eager audiences to see how it fares.
Story: In an unexpected twist, Vikram(Sharwanand) a carefree man and Subhadra (Kriti Shetty) a woman on the brink of marriage find themselves suddenly responsible for a baby named Kushi(Vikram Aditya). How do they navigate these new responsibilities? What happened to Kushi’s parents? Is there a deeper connection between them and Kushi’s family? The answers unfold in this intriguing story.
Performances and Technical Aspects: Sharwanand delivers a strong performance as the cheerful and easy-going Vikram. His playful character brings some amusement but the weak narrative overshadows his efforts. Krithi Shetty looks good on screen but her performance lacks memorable moments.
Seerat Kapoor and Ayesha Khan shine in their guest appearances making a notable impact. Vennela Kishore’s few jokes land well, providing some comic relief. Rahul Ramakrishna takes on a routine role while baby actor Kushi charms with her cuteness.
Supporting actors Sachin Khedkar, Thulasi, Mukesh Rishi and Seetha perform their roles well. Adith Ram makes a brief guest appearance and Shiva Kandukuri fits into his role nicely. Rahul Ravindran plays a villain but fails to make a significant impression.
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music adds to the film’s atmosphere though the original songs are not particularly memorable. The cinematography by Gnana Sekhar and Vishnu Sharma stands out with its visual appeal. Prawin Pudi’s editing especially in the second half could use more polish. The production values are decent but the CGI lacks consistency. The costume design however is commendable for its creativity.
Analysis: “Manamey” brings a fresh premise of two individuals unexpectedly taking care of a friend’s baby. Despite this unique starting point and some humorous moments from Sharwanand, the film falters in several areas.
The movie begins slowly and struggles to pick up pace in the first half. The decision of the lead characters to take responsibility for the baby feels unconvincing. Their initial challenges as caretakers fail to leave a lasting impression. The film’s midpoint is predictable and the second half continues along a similar uninspired path. The plot is reminiscent of numerous films where the lead characters realize their love for each other through interactions with an older couple. This familiarity is compounded by the presence of a stereotypical villain a restaurant needing renovation and an accomplished fiancé. The villain’s role ends abruptly and the subplot about the restaurant is forgotten entirely.
While the story starts with promise it loses momentum as it approaches the interval lacking the emotional depth needed to engage the audience in the second half.
The film’s focus on Vikram Adittya’s character as Kushi wanes significantly in the second half. The latter part lacks emotional resonance with various subplots and characters diverting attention from the main narrative.
Writer-director Sriram Adittya struggles to maintain the engagement established in the first half affecting the overall viewing experience. The predictable storyline and weak climax contribute to the film’s shortcomings.
Certain characters like Shiva Kandukuri, Seerat Kapoor, and Mukesh Rishi, could have been better developed to enhance the plot. The lack of strong emotional scenes between the leads is another issue. While the score enhances some scenes, the songs fail to leave a lasting impression.
Verdict: Overall, “Manamey” offers a below-average family drama. Sharwanand delivers a commendable performance, and Krithi Shetty impresses in her role. The music adds flair to some scenes but the film’s lackluster second half and shallow emotional depth detract from its overall impact. While “Manamey” may not appeal to everyone, it can potentially entertain family audiences to some extent with its light-hearted moments and engaging performances.
Bottom Line: Leaves the heart hanging mid-air
Rating: 2/5
