The film Bhola Shankar, with Chiranjeevi in the lead role, was released at the box office in 2023 and faced a disastrous result. After this film, Chiranjeevi started the movie Vishwambhara under the direction of Vasishta. However, due to heavy criticism on the teaser of this film, the project was kept aside, and it is well known that Chiranjeevi joined hands with Anil Ravipudi—who delivered a super duper hit at the box office last Sankranti—and launched the film Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu. The film was completed within the planned time and a decision was taken to release it during Sankranti, that is, on January 12. A day earlier, from the night of January 11 itself, premiere shows of this film were held on a large scale in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The premiere shows received a good response in both states. Among the films in the Sankranti race, while Prabhas’ Raja Saab received mixed responses, it can now be said that all eyes have turned towards Chiranjeevi’s film.
In Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, Chiranjeevi is seen in the role of a National Security Officer. He works under a Union Minister. Chiranjeevi narrates his love story as well as his divorce story himself. Chiranjeevi marries Nayanthara, who has won the Best Industrialist award three times consecutively in the country. Even though her father does not like this marriage, she goes ahead with it. Later, due to differences arising between the two, they separate within a short time. After that, Shankara Varaprasad is not even given a chance to see his children. Since Shankara Varaprasad works under a Union Minister, with the help of a recommendation letter, he joins the school where his children study as a PET teacher and gets closer to them. After learning the matter, Shashirekha brings the children to her house. Later, an attack takes place on Shashirekha’s father. Thinking that the state police are not sufficient to protect his family, help is sought from the Centre, and Shankara Varaprasad re-enters Shashirekha’s house along with his team. Who actually attempted the attack on Shashirekha’s father, and how Shankara Varaprasad solved it, forms the crux of the movie.
In this film, Chiranjeevi looks very stylish. From the first fight onwards, in every scene, Chiranjeevi impresses with his trademark performance. Director Anil Ravipudi, as usual, seems to have focused more on keeping the film engaging without any boredom rather than on the story itself. In this regard, he has been successful to a large extent. Even though the story does not have much strength, the way the film has been handled becomes crucial here. The director presents Chiranjeevi very stylishly in songs as well as in action sequences. Heroine Nayanthara delivers a powerful performance with her action in the role of Shashirekha. The Chiru–Nayanthara combination works well in this film. Director Anil Ravipudi once again introduces the character of Bulli Raju in this movie and tries to generate laughter for a while.
Hero Venkatesh makes an entry in the second half in the role of Venky Goud. Though his screen time is brief, during the time he appears, Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh together generate good fun. The antics performed by the two together are also appealing. In the climax of the movie, the scenes between Zarina Wahab, who plays Chiranjeevi’s mother, and Nayanthara are crucial. Targeting his core strength of family relationships, Anil Ravipudi drives the story forward while inserting comedy in between and can be said to have delivered another hit for the Sankranti festival. The overall taking of the film is rich, and the background music is also appealing. Catherine Tresa, Harshavardhan, and Abhinav Gomatam create buzz as officers in Chiranjeevi’s team. Overall, with Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, director Anil Ravipudi succeeds in engaging the audience even without a strong story. The film has been designed in such a way that the entire family can watch it without any discomfort.
Rating: 3/5