Movie: Mad
Rating: 2.75/5
Banner: Sithara Entertainments & Fortune Four Cinemas
Cast: Narne Nithin, Sangeeth Shobhan, Ram Nithin, Sri Gouri Priya Reddy, Ananathika Sanilkumar, Gopikaa Udyan, Raghu Babu, Racha Ravi, Muralidhar Goud, Vishnu, Anthony, Srikanth Reddy and others
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
DOP: Shamdat - Dinesh Krishnan B
Editor: Naveen Nooli
Presenter: S. Naga Vamsi
Producers: Haarika Suryadevara & Sai Soujanya
Written and Directed by: Kalyan Shankar
Release Date: October 6, 2023
The fact that a popular production banner, Sithara Entertainment, is producing a youthful drama piqued everyone’s interest. Many newcomers appear in the film, including NTR Jr's brother-in-law Narne Nithiin.
Let's see if this film has the potential to become the next "Jathi Ratnalu," as the producers claim.
Story:
Three engineering students become close friends. It's Manoj, Ashok, and Damodar. Manoj, the handsome guy, has feelings for Shruti, a fellow student. Ashok, who pretends to be an orphan to avoid scrutiny, is in love with Jenny. Damodar, a funny boy from a middle class background, also claims that no girl at his college would ever propose to him. Surprisingly, a girl writes to him the next day to tell him she likes him.
Damodar believes his two friends are pulling a joke on him. When he receives a call from her the following day, he begins to suspect that it is not a joke.
Who is this mysterious Vennela, and why does she refuse to make an appearance? Is there a happy ending in store for Ashok and Manoj's stories, too?
Artistes’ Performances:
The real show stopper is Sangeeth Sobhan. The film relies heavily on his terrific comedic act. His livewire performance makes even the simplest gags effective.
Narne Nithiin, Jr. NTR's brother-in-law is the weakest wicket in the lead cast. He lacks screen presence and energy. He is a misfit for student's character.
Ram Nithin has a cute appearance and has good timing in performance as well.
These three actors' girlfriends, Sri Gouri Priya Reddy, Ananathika Sanilkumar, and Gopikaa Udyan, do their jobs well.
Vishnu is the other actor who steals the show. He does an amazing job narrating the entire film.
Technical Excellence:
The camerawork is just okay. Among the songs, the folk number “College Papa” is fine. Dialogue writing is good with fun vibe but the vulgarity here and there disturbs. Editing is neat.
Highlights:
Sangeeth Sobhan and Vishnu’s act
Overall fun vibe
Drawback:
Wafer thin story
Goes overboard at many places
Vulgar dialogues
Analysis
Naga Vamsi, the film's producer, claimed that "Mad" would be funnier than "Jathi Rathnalu,” the blockbuster. He also stated that if someone claims he/she did not laugh during the film, he will refund the ticket price. The film, however, is no match to "Jathi Rathnalu" in terms of nonstop comedy. However, Naga Vamsi does not need to refund money to anyone because the film contains numerous laughing moments.
"Mad" is the type of film that doesn't care about telling a story, leaving a message, or giving emotional or logical moments. The film makes no claim to provide them. Its main mantra is comedy, and it adheres to it completely.
Let's be honest: "Mad" is not "Jathi Ratnalu"; it doesn't even come close. "Jathi Ratnalu" featured three excellent actors known for their comic timing (Naveen Polishetty, Priyadarshi, and Rahul Ramakrishna). Only one of the lead actors is capable of comedy in this film. However, "Mad" manages to generate a number of good laughs.
While some of the jokes are adult-oriented, the humor settles into a more normal zone as the film progresses. The version released in USA is completely uncensored with many overboard vulgar dialogues in the first and second half.
Campus situations and other sequences are predictable. But the laughs keep on coming. This is why, even when things get zany and silly, the film still manages to entertain.
However, certain episodes, such as male students donning burqas and entering a ladies hostel and causing a commotion, look silly. Such old-fashioned comedy should have been avoided. Even the jokes about malpractice, and principal jokes lack freshness.
Overall, "Mad" is a time pass entertainer to the target audience who happen to be youth; with plenty of fun, laughs, and predictable moments. Don't expect it to be "Jathi Rathnalu," but as a campus drama, it delivers jokes.
Bottom line: Just For Youth