- Cast- Teja Sajja, Manchu Manoj, Ritika Nayak, Shriya Saran, Jagapathi Babu and Jayaram
- Director- Karthik Gattamneni
- Genre- Action-adventure film
- Certification- U/A
- Rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Review by- Prasad Anand Kasture
Introduction
Mirai, directed by Karthik Gattamneni, is an ambitious attempt to blend mythology with futuristic fiction. It’s not flawless and not exactly a brilliant film, but it certainly isn’t bad either. What work is its scale, vision, and action, giving audiences a big-screen experience.
Story & Screenplay
Set in a mythological–futuristic universe, Mirai follows the journey of a mighty warrior, the Super Yodha (Teja Sajja), who must protect Emperor Ashoka’s nine sacred scriptures, texts powerful enough to turn mortals into deities. Standing against him is Mahabir Lama (Manchu Manoj), leader of the ruthless Black Sword group, who wants to seize the scriptures and plunge the world into darkness.
The integration of mythology with fiction is impressive. However, the commercial elements, mainly the misplaced comedy, dilute the impact. Just when the audience gets involved, the film breaks its flow with humor that feels unnecessary. This is a recurring issue in recent Telugu spectacles like Hanuman and Kalki, and Mirai isn’t an exception.
Direction
After Eagle, expectations from Karthik Gattamneni weren’t very high, but Mirai turns out to be a far superior effort. He stages several mass moments that work well, especially the interval, the post-interval fight, and the climax. Emotional beats don’t fully land, but the overall execution is engaging enough.
Performances
Teja Sajja continues to evolve with each film. He delivers well in both mass and emotional moments, showing noticeable growth as an actor. Ritika Nayak is decent, though her role doesn’t leave much impact. Manchu Manoj impresses as Mahabir Lama, his performance and backstory add depth, though his menace could have been pushed further. The supporting cast including Shriya Saran, Jagapathi Babu, Jayaram and others also did their parts well. Shriya, in particular, stands out with her performance.
Action & Entertainment Value
The action is the highlight of Mirai. Well-choreographed set pieces, especially the post-interval fight, stand out. The single-take sequences are impressive and the execution is sharp. Tanja Keller’s action portions also deserve a mention. On the flip side, the comedy doesn’t add much value. While not outright bad, it breaks the flow and stretches the film unnecessarily. Still, there are plenty of whistle-worthy moments scattered throughout, especially at the interval, in the second half, and in the climax.
Music & Technical Aspects
Music works strongly in the film’s favor. The background score gives the action and mass scenes extra punch. There’s only one song and it fits into the story instead of breaking it. The cinematography, handled by Karthik himself, looks rich and gives the film a larger-than-life feel. With a budget of around Rs 60 crore, the makers have spent wisely. AI effects are used in places, they work in some scenes and look patchy in others, but overall the film looks good on the big screen.
Pros
- Fresh blend of mythology and fiction
- Performances and action sequences
- Strong BGM and impactful cinematography
- Whistle-worthy mass moments
Cons
- Forced comedy breaks the flow
- A bit stretched – Emotional connect could have been stronger.
Verdict
Mirai is not a perfect film, but it is a solid big-screen entertainer. The blend of mythology and fiction, strong action, and performances make it worth watching. Families and kids in particular are likely to enjoy it.
