Movie: Manu Charitra
Rating: 1.75/5
Banner: Proddutur Talkies
Cast: Shiva Kandukuri, Megha Akash, Pragathi Shrivastav, Priya Vadlamani, Suhash, ‘Daali’ Dhananjay, Srikanth Iyyengar, MadhuNandhan, Harishita Chowdary, Garima Kaushal and others
Music: GopiSundar
Director of Photography: Rahul Shrivatsav
Editor: PrawinPudi
Art Director: Upendar Reddy
Action: ‘Real’ Sathish, Jashuva, Nandhu
Producers: Narala Srinivas Reddy
Written and Directed by: Bharath Peddagani
Release Date: June 23, 2023
The only notable movie that hit the theaters this weekend is “Manu Charitra”, starring Shiva Kandukuri.
Let's weigh its merits and demerits.
Story:
In Warangal, Manu (Shiva Kandukuri) works for the rowdy Rudra (Daali Dhananjay). Manu approaches and proposes to gorgeous girls. He splits them up once they agree to his love.
When a girl calls him a cheater, Manu's pal Nandu (Suhas) explains why he became that way.
Manu was a good student who liked a Christian girl named Jennifer (Megha Akash) but she left him owing to several incidents.
To forget her, he seeks to find love again but could not do so. But Manu's life takes a dramatic change when he meets Jaanu (Pragathi Shrivastav).
Will he ever be able to forget Jennifer? Will Jennifer re-enter his life?
Artistes’ Performances:
Shiva Kandukuri appears in different shades, including a dedicated student and an alcoholic devadas. While he appears neatly in the role of a student in Megha Akash's love episode, he doesn't fit in with the 'Arjun Reddy' shade of character. First and foremost, Shiva Kandukuri neither has the body language nor acting skills to play such roles.
Megha Akash convincingly portrays a typical small-town decent girl. There are several actresses, but none of them make any distinct impression.
Pragathi Shirvastav's character, Jaanu, appears and acts immature way.
Technical Excellence:
Gopi Sundar has given music. Two songs are okay. Cinematography is adequate. Nothing much to talk about other technical departments.
Highlights:
Couple of episodes
Drawback:
Directionless narrative
Boring and never-ending second half
Silly climax
Analysis
Since "Arjun Reddy" became a cult hit in the Telugu cinema industry, young actors have tried to imitate the protagonist's style - wearing a beard, continually drinking and smoking, and behaving violently.
The film has had such an impact on the young filmmakers that they believe that simply scripting a story about a protagonist who resorts to drinking to avoid forgetting the girl he loves is enough to make a captivating viewing.
What they are overlooking is the soul of "Arjun Reddy" and why the film’s content clicked with the youngsters.
"Manu Charitra," set in Warangal, features a protagonist who, like Vijay Deverakonda in "Arjun Reddy," fell in love with a girl in college and is unable to forget her even after two years.
The title refers to Manu's story. Manu is the name of the hero in this story. However, this story is so sloppy and confused that it only superficially mimics the style of “Arjun Reddy”.
The hero is proposing to and breaking up with girls in order to forget his true love Jennifer, played by Megha Akash. However, in the second half, the same protagonist falls in love with a girl who, like Jennifer, had made prayers to God.
In a parallel to the hero's love stories, we witness a fierce political competition between two leaders, and the assassination of the city's mayor consumes a great deal of drama. The entire second half of the film bores us to death.
The film's most serious flaw is its aimless plot. At the end of the climax, you wonder what the director was trying to tell all through.
"Manu Charitra" is yet another example of the aimless youth-oriented films that are currently reaching theaters. When the storyline is weak, copying any hit film does not guarantee an engaging watch. It's a big bore. You cannot sit through it.
Bottom line: Tasteless Khichdi
