The Background:
The Hit Machine Anil Ravipudi has joined hands with Megastar Chiranjeevi for the first time. This is all that one needs to know, and is the background for Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. Will Anil Ravipudi continue his super impressive success streak?
Story:
As the title suggests, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is about Shankara Vara Prasad (Chiranjeevi), a National Security Officer. He falls in love with Sasirekha (Nayanthara), a billionaire’s daughter, and marries her. The father-in-law doesn’t like their marriage and successfully manages to separate them.
The major story involves Shankara Vara Prasad trying to reunite with Sasirekha. A subplot involves an unknown threat to Sasirekha’s family.
What’s Good?
The storyline of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is as basic and simple as it comes. There is zero surprise or any twist in it. Which also means it is par for course for a typical Anil Ravpudi film. He is known for such flimsy and superficial plots.
However, what has been working for Anil Ravipudi or what he has been successfully able to do from the start of his career is come up with a highly engaging screenplay that holds the audience’s attention with the nonstop entertainment. The director likes to call them ‘items’. So, he packs the screenplay with items and that does the trick.
The same Anil Ravipudi’s brand of item filled screenplay is seen in Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu as well. Without even remembering the actual content, one can instantly recall the various blocks with their hooks – the brief love story with wonderful ‘Sasirekha’ and Ilayaraja’s Sundari, OTP, the school segment, Meesala Pilla block and finally the extended guest appearance featuring Victory Venkatesh.
These are some of the blocks that instantly come to mind long after the show is over. That’s the success of Anil Ravipudi. Do all of them work as they are intended to? It might not be the case? Is there nothing else beyond the blocks, it is not the case either and some bits come providing laughs in between as well.
What’s Bad?
The problem with Mana Shankara Vara Prasad is also something we see among most of Anil Ravipudi’s films, especially since F2. The gags run out of steam during the second half. The second half as it is has less blocks that work with the biggest one involving a star appearance being just okay.
The drama isn’t given enough scope to leave an impact. The conflict is just an excuse to find moments to add punches. The result is while some of the gags, fun do work, the story stagnates. There is no progress at all. And to overcome the issue a new thread involving a villain is introduced. It is as generic as it comes. Luckily, it doesn’t take an over dramatic route to end as that would have been so out of place.
What’s Worse?
Nothing is in the worse zone, but the initial few scenes do give an impression if things could go that way. Its the world establishment at the start where one wonders if things might go progressively bad with cringe. But, things settle down soon enough and these doubts are put to rest.
The Takeaway:
Anil Ravipudi’s skillful direction in extracting the right performance from Chiranjeevi is the biggest takeaway from Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. Post his comeback to movies, Megastar Chiranjeevi has not been able to bring back his vintage energy, charm and ease. We have only seen them in parts in a few films, that’s it. Here we get that Vintage Megastar for a larger part.
The sheer energy and timing of Chiranjeevi is the biggest highlight of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. He overpowers all the issues and lifts even the ordinary moments. It is a feast for the fans and pleasure to watch him in a free flow for the movie lovers.
Understanding the star’s strength and using him effectively is Anil Ravipudi’s victory. The packaging with a good supporting cast (even though they have minor roles), music, and little bit of action makes Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu an enjoyable fare for the Sankranthi season.
Screentime:
As most of the runtime is filled with Megastar, there is very little time to look elsewhere. The mobile screentime, as a result, is hardly there.
Bottomline: Dynamite Combo Delivers
Rating: 2.75/5
