Mithra Mandali: A Review of a Telugu Comedy with a Twist
In the realm of Telugu cinema, where ensemble casts and quirky narratives have long been a recipe for success, the resurgence of buddy comedies centered around good-for-nothing friends is a recent phenomenon. The late director EVV Satyanarayana was a master of this style, crafting films that relied on the caliber of their cast rather than leading stars. The premise would often have a quirky hook, and the films would guarantee laughter and value at the box office, despite not featuring big names.
Fast forward to the present, and films like Jathi Ratnalu, MAD, Om Bheem Bush, and Aay have reignited this style, with stories centered around aimless buddies. Mithra Mandali, directed by debutant Vijayendar S, attempts to capitalize on this formula, blending pop-culture references and Telugu culture with a love story that takes a jibe at extreme casteism.
The film opens with a politician, Narayana (VTV Ganesh), as the torchbearer for his caste, doing whatever it takes to uphold its pride. The plot takes a turn when Narayana's daughter, Sweccha (Niharika NM), elopes for love, leading to a series of chaotic events involving four wastrel friends (Priyadarshi, Rag Mayur, Prasad Behara, and Vishnu Oi).
The central idea of Mithra Mandali is a love story with a cheeky twist, but it falls short in character development and emotional depth. Sweccha's character is often treated like a mechanical plot device, and her love story is taken for granted. The film's humor, while self-aware, becomes repetitive and tiresome, especially in the second hour.
The film's strength lies in its oddball characters, smart backstories, and eccentric situations, but the writing fails to provide the necessary vigor to the humor. The attempt to make an unserious film on serious social issues falters gradually. The conversational songs, composed by RR Dhruvan, are forgettable, and the makers' desperation to infuse momentum with a song modeled on Amitabh's 'Mere Angne Mein' in a serious situation falls flat.
Despite the talented cast, including popular names like Priyadarshi, Vennela Kishore, and VTV Ganesh, the film struggles with timing and improvisation. Rag Mayur and Vishnu Oi do their best to stay true to the spirit of the situations, but the heavy lifting is largely done by Prasad Behara and Sathya, who brings a much-needed spark to the film.
In conclusion, Mithra Mandali, while retaining its parody tone, could have benefited from a more sincere approach to emotions and a stronger focus on character development. The film's execution, with its cluttered and flimsy moments, spoils the fun, leaving audiences with a cacophony of noise rather than genuine laughter.
