What’s it about?
Laddu (Vishnu Oi) tells the story of his time as a college student to a group of incoming engineering students. Manoj (Ram Nithin), Ashok (Narne Nithin), and Damodar (Sangeeth Shobhan) were three of Laddu’s best friends from his days as an engineering student.
While Ashok is head over heels for Jenny (Ananthika), Manoj is dating Sri Gouri Priya’s Shruti. Damodar is convinced that no woman could ever love him. But then one day a girl writing under the name “Vennello Adapilla” sends him a letter. Will he finally meet his Vennela before he graduates?
Analysis
The trailer suggested that “Mad” is a campus entertainer. MAD is an acronym that stands for three college students: Manoj, Ashok, and Damodar. Alternatively, the ‘3 Idiots’ of this college drama. It is also a ‘mad’ drama in the sense that it provides constant laughs while not caring about the plot or taking itself seriously.
The director’s intention is to generate comedy no matter what. Some jokes are fresh, some are rehashed, but it provides fun moments.
Though some sequences and the overall structure are reminiscent of Raj Kumar Hirani’s classic “3 Idiots,” this one isn’t concerned with emotional aspects or message, instead focusing solely on providing LOL moments.
Some comedic episodes like ladies hostel episode sound silly but who cares? The film is unapologetic in presenting comedy.
Despite the lack of a strong story, the director does a good job of keeping the suspense element about “vennello aadapilla,” the girl who writes letters to Damodar without giving her name or revealing her identity, alive. So, it serves as a foundation for the fun quotient until the end.
As usual, these types of youthful entertainers only work when the actors own them. Sangeeth Shobhan as Damodar steals the show in this case. You keep laughing when he’s in the frame. Vishnu Oi (of “Taxiwaala” fame) is another standout. This duo rules the entire show.
Narne Nithiin, NTR’s brother-in-law, and Ram Nithin are neat choices for the roles. All of the lead actresses are charming.
Among the technical departments, dialogue writing deserves special mention. Kalyan Shankar, the new director, demonstrates his talent.
Bottom line: “Mad” is a fun entertainer. A comedy-filled campus drama. There is no strong plot or logic; it attempts to provide LOL moments. It will appeal more to its intended audience, the youth. A time-pass watch.
Rating: 3/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Mad
Cast: Narne Nithin, Sangeeth Shobhan, Ram Nithin, Sri Gouri Priya Reddy, Ananthika Sanilkumar, Gopikaa Udyan, Vishnu Oi, and others
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
Editor: Navin Nooli
DOP: Shamdat – Dinesh Krishnan B
Art Director: Raam Arasavilli
Fights: Karunakar
Producers: Haarika Suryadevara and Sai Soujanya
Written and Directed By: Kalyan Shankar
Release Date: Oct 06, 2023
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