Cast: Narne Nithin, Sangeet Shobhan, Ram Nithin, Gauripriya Reddy, Anantika Sanilkumar, Gopika Udyan, Vishnu, Anudeep, Muralidhar Goud, Raghubabu, and more.
Director: Kalyan Shankar
Music: Bheems Cicerolio
Cinematography: Shyam Dutt -Dinesh Krishnan b
Producers: Harika Suryadevara, Sai Saujanya
Release Date: 06-10-2023
Oh, how the youth of Tollywood have stolen the spotlight recently! With relatable topics hitting the silver screen, they’ve won us over. Adding another notch to the cinematic belt, we welcome “MAD” a fresh off the shelf youthful entertainer. The debutante Narne Nithin, Junior NTR’s brother-in-law, and Sangeet Shobhan (Santhosh Shobhan’s sibling) amidst others, have dived into the industry’s eclectic waters with this one. Promising hearty laughter, did the film live up to it? Did the filmmakers strike gold? Let’s delve into the rollercoaster that MAD promises to be!
The Storyline
Embark on a journey with Manoj (Ram Nitin), Ashok (Narne Nitin), and Damodar (Sangeet Shobhan), tight-knit friends from the Royal Institute of Engineering College (RIE). Their bond solidifies over victorious basketball matches and shared meals at Bhagwan’s canteen. Love isn’t far behind, with Manoj pining for Shruti (Gauri), Ashok desired by Jenny (Anantika), and Damodar (DD) ensnared by love letters from the elusive Vennela. As DD dwells in love with the unseen Vennela over four years, the revelation of her identity unfolds an intriguing twist. Will the trio conquer love? Only the film reveals!
The Execution
The first half dilly-dallies around character intros, campus banter, and blooming romances, while the latter half swoops into DD’s pursuit of Vennela, the love tales of Manoj and Ashok, and a chaotic stint at the ladies’ hostel by DD’s gang. While the story doesn’t bring a plethora of surprises, the character’s antics and dialogues ensure consistent entertainment, keeping ennui at bay. The audience gets a nostalgic, fun-filled tour through the engrossing engineering college life for a brief two hours.
Performances
Narne Nithin as Ashok acted from initial seriousness to impressive levels later. His elevation scenes are notably praiseworthy. The acts by Sangeet Shobhan and Vishnu emerge as the film’s special treat, with Sangeet impressing with his rapid-fire dialogues and charismatic acting. Vishnu, alias Laddu, clinches applause with his comedic timing. Ram Nithin portrays the lovestruck Manoj charmingly, while Gauri and Anantika deliver commendable performances. Comedians Raghubabu and Muralidhar Goud unfurl waves of laughter, and ‘JatiRatnalu’ Movie director Anudeep in a cameo is scintillating. Kudos to the new actors for their earnest performances.
Direction Insights
Director Kalyan Shankar plunges into the vibrant world of college campuses, exploring student mindsets and ambitions. His portrayal in “Mad” is genuinely applaudable, introducing characters and plot points in a refreshingly new light, ensuring a seamless, easy-to-follow story sans the shadows of predecessors. He splendidly demonstrates the blissful purity of college friendships through “Mad,” orchestrating a performance that induces laughter in scene after scene.
Technical Tidbits
A slight disappointment emanates from music director Bheems, with room for more engaging melodies. Nevertheless, cinematographers Shyam Dutt and Dinesh Krishnan elevate the movie, beautifully encapsulating the campus vibes and character nuances. With stellar production values, producer Harika Suryadeva’s inaugural venture beams with success.
Pluses
The Acting Ensemble
Comedic Segments
Dialogues
Cinematography
Minuses
The Music
A Somewhat Predictable Storyline
Rating: 3.5/5
In essence, “Mad” sways hearts not with a groundbreaking story, but with its effortless, lively, and utterly entertaining portrayal of youthful college life, making it a fun watch!
