Movie Name: Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu
Release Date: January 12, 2026
Rating: 3.25/5
Starring: Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa, Sachin Khedekar & Others
Director: Anil Ravipudi
Producers: Sahu Garapati, Sushmita Konidela
Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo
Cinematographer: Sameer Reddy
Editor: Tammiraju

Megastar Chiranjeevi joins hands with director Anil Ravipudi for the first time in Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, a family entertainer featuring Nayanthara as the female lead. Adding to the excitement, Victory Venkatesh appears in a special cameo. Released amid strong expectations and fan frenzy, let’s see how the film fares.

Story:

Shankara Varaprasad (Chiranjeevi) is an NSG officer whose married life with Sasirekha (Nayanthara), a wealthy woman, hits a rough patch. Misunderstandings lead to divorce, leaving Shankara struggling to fix his broken relationship. The rest of the film follows his journey to mend his marriage and restore family harmony.

Plus Points:

Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu showcases one of the most entertaining post-comeback avatars of Megastar Chiranjeevi. Watching him in full-flow — be it comedy, dance, or emotional sequences — is a sheer delight. His energy, charm, and screen presence remain unmatched, proving once again why he is hailed as the king of entertainment. Anil Ravipudi understands Chiranjeevi’s strengths perfectly and presents him in a lovable, relatable middle-class character that connects instantly with family audiences. While Waltair Veerayya brought back vintage Chiru partially, this film does it to a much greater extent.

The film’s first half is breezy and highly engaging, packed with Ravipudi’s trademark comedy sequences blended with light emotional moments. Though the emotions aren’t deeply layered, they feel sensible within a film designed purely for entertainment. A special mention goes to the sequence where Chiru addresses the rising divorce trend — neatly written and well presented. His scenes with children are delightful, and his chemistry with Nayanthara works beautifully, especially their initial gesture-based interactions that come across naturally charming.

Nayanthara brings grace and warmth to her role, while Venkatesh’s cameo track adds an extra dose of fun. The Chiru–Venky dance-off to their iconic songs is a festival treat for fans. The songs are already popular, and their on-screen presentation enhances the festive mood, with the surprise folk track at the interval standing out as a major highlight.

Minus Points:

As with many Ravipudi entertainers, logic takes a backseat to humor. The film is designed for harmless fun, and viewers need to overlook realism to enjoy the ride. The storyline itself is familiar, so those expecting novelty might feel underwhelmed. The villain track is routine and underwritten, with Sudev Nair’s antagonist lacking strong impact as the narrative focuses more on family drama and comedy. The second half slightly drags due to repetitive moments, and the editing here could have been sharper. The climax fight, mixed with comedic banter, lacks intensity and wraps up on a rather simple note.

Technical Aspects:

Bheems Ceciroleo’s music works well, with songs neatly integrated into the narrative. Sameer Reddy’s cinematography is clean, offering pleasant visuals throughout. Editing is crisp in the first half but slightly loose in the latter portion. Styling and presentation of Chiranjeevi deserve special appreciation — his look and screen presence elevate the film’s appeal. Anil Ravipudi once again delivers an entertainer filled with self-deprecating humor and crowd-pleasing moments. While a few over-the-top scenes slightly test patience, his core strength lies in presenting Chiranjeevi in a celebratory yet emotionally grounded manner.

Verdict:

Overall, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is a satisfying family entertainer loaded with fun moments and light emotions. Chiranjeevi’s performance, comic timing, expressions, and emotional depth make this his most enjoyable post-comeback role so far. The engaging first half, Nayanthara’s charm, Venkatesh’s cameo, and lively music are major strengths. However, a stretched second half, predictable villain track, and a simple climax slightly reduce the overall impact. Still, Anil Ravipudi delivers a festive-friendly entertainer that audiences and fans can comfortably enjoy.

Final Rating: 3.25/5
Source: andhraportal.com