Starring: Shiva Kandukuri, Megha Akash, Priya Vadlamani, Pragathi Shrivastav, Suhas, Daali Dhananjay, Srikanth Iyengar, Madhunandhan, Harshita Chowdary, Garima Kaushal
Director: Bharath Peddagani
Producer: Narala Srinivas Reddy
Music Directors: Gopi Sundar
Cinematography: Rahul Shrivatsav
Editor: Prawin Pudi & Release Date : June 23, 2023
Manu Charitra is one film that has been stuck in the making for over three years now. The film has been released and stars Shiva Kanduuri and Megha Akash in lead roles. Read our review here.
Plot
Manu(Shiva Kandukuri) keeps dating girls but breaks up with them all of a sudden. The girls who date him have no idea why he is doing this until one girl(Priya Vadlamani) reprimands him. Then, the film heads back into the flashback and things are showcased in a way that Manu is doing all this as he had a bad breakup with Jennifer(Megha Akash). He starts looking for Jenny in all the women and fails. But one fine day, he finds the right one but this story has issues with a political backdrop. What is it and how Manu got back in life is the story of Manu Charitra.
Performances
Manu Charitra has decent performances which save the day for us. Dhanajaya, the Kannada actor gets a key role in the film and he is good as the bad guy. Srikanth Iyengar, Priya Vadlamani, and Suhas get key roles and they do what is required without going overboard. Shiva Kandukuri is known as a young actor who is new to acting. But he pulled off his intense role with ease. Though he struggles initially in the film when it comes to the key second half, he impresses. Megha Akash has put on weight but he looks good and plays her lead role impressively.
What’s Good
Performances
Songs
Emotions
What’s Bad
Routine Story
Runtime
Lag in scenes
Simple climax
Analysis
Manu Charitra is about a breakup story and has things set up in a way that the hero goes through issues after having a bad breakup. We have seen many films in this genre and there is nothing new when it comes to the storyline in Manu Charitra. The film’s hero reminds us of Arjun Reddy and even drinks like him and is aggressive in many scenes. But Shiva Kandukuri does well in his role and makes sense with his performance.
But what goes wrong is the pace of the film. Manu Charitra is almost three hours and it is painfully long. There are so many scenes that were not required at all by the director and he could have trimmed it to make more sense in the narrative. Also, the manner in which the hero behaves in key scenes of the breakup looks forced.
Gopi Sundar has composed the music and he has done a great job. The songs are soothing and have nicely been placed in the narrative. Editing is pathetic but the visuals were good. A more intense drama between the lead pair would have made this film a whole lot different. There is nothing new you have seen in Manu Charitra when it comes to story-wise. But there are moments that are relatable as how good students spoil their life in the name of love is showcased so well.
Manu Charitra is a simple film that is dragged for no reason. The essence of the film is neat and so are the performances. Though there are no bad scenes, the film also does not have great scenes that will hold your attention. Watch the film when it comes on OTT.
Bottom Line- Lenghty and old school
2.5/5
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