“Manu Charitra,” written and directed by Bharath Peddagani, has made its way to the screens, featuring an ensemble cast including Shiva Kandukuri, Megha Akash, Priya Vadlamani, and Pragathi Shrivastav. The film attempts to weave a tale of love, mystery, and connections with the underworld. Let’s delve into the film and see how it fares.
Manu Charitra (2023)
Release Date: June 23, 2023
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
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
“Manu Charitra” revolves around Manu (Shiva Kandukuri), a brilliant student who inexplicably breaks up with the girls he loves without giving them any explanation. Among his love interests is Sravya (Priya Vadlamani), who loves him deeply. As the story progresses, we discover the reasons behind Manu’s peculiar behavior, his connections with local goon Rudra (Dhananjay), and the mysteries that unfold.
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The protagonist’s character is well-crafted, and Shiva Kandukuri delivers a captivating performance, especially in the flashback sequences. His on-screen presence is charismatic, and he portrays the depths of sorrow with conviction. Megha Akash shines in her role and shares good chemistry with Shiva Kandukuri. Pragathi Shrivastav, in her debut role, performs well as a North Indian girl.
The music by Gopi Sundar stands out, with a couple of songs leaving a lasting impact. The first half of the film maintains a good pace, and the engaging flashback sequences hold the viewer’s attention. Supporting actors Suhas, Srikanth Iyengar, and Priya Vadlamani deliver decent performances.
One of the main drawbacks of “Manu Charitra” is its excessive length, particularly in the second half. Certain sequences could have been trimmed to improve the overall pacing. The reasoning behind the protagonist’s multiple love interests could have been better presented. The emotional depth and narration in the second-hour lack finesse, with a disjointed flow in the storytelling. Some scenes bear similarities to those seen in previous films.
The film loses its charm when it delves into the realm of goons, making it less captivating. Dhananjay’s portrayal of a regular villain fails to bring anything new to the table. The dialogues leave much to be desired.
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Gopi Sundar’s music and background score elevates the film, enhancing the viewing experience. Rahul Shrivastav’s cinematography showcases the beauty of Warangal City. The production values are commendable, although the editing falls below expectations.
Director Bharath Peddagani’s execution is lackluster, with a partially engaging first half and a lengthy second half. While he handles the love portions well, the political and underworld-related scenes could have been better presented.
“Manu Charitra” is an average romantic action drama that falls short of its potential. The film manages to engage during the love-oriented segments, but other aspects drag it down. Shiva Kandukuri, Megha Akash, and the rest of the cast deliver decent performances. However, the film’s duration and the second half’s execution could have been improved. Overall, “Manu Charitra” is a passable watch for this weekend.
