Spectacle – A Grand Vision with Engaging Moments
Hyderabad, India – Following in the footsteps of recent mythological-fantasy blockbusters, Karthik Gattamneni’s highly anticipated film, Mirai, starring Teja Sajja, has finally arrived in cinemas. Released globally on Friday, September 12, 2025, Mirai promised to be a sweeping epic, aiming to intricately weave together elements of faith, science, history, and myth. Backed by People Media Factory, known for previous successes like Karthikeya 2 and Hanu-Man, the film generated considerable buzz, especially with Teja Sajja returning to the superhero genre after his breakout role in Hanu-Man. Expectations were sky-high for another underdog-turned-superhero saga, hoping to deliver a visual spectacle and a landmark entry in the Indian superhero genre.
A New Chapter in Indian Superhero Cinema
Mirai introduces audiences to a world where ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology intersect with modern-day challenges, demanding a saviour to protect humanity from an impending doom. Directed by Karthik Gattamneni, who also takes on the roles of writer and cinematographer, the film features a notable cast including Teja Sajja, Manchu Manoj, Ritika Nayak, Shriya Saran, Jayaram, and Jagapathi Babu. The movie positions itself as a spunkier, contemporary reimagining of devotional epics, drawing inspiration from Hindu mythology while adopting the sensibility and energy of a modern Hollywood superhero blockbuster. The core ambition is evident: to deliver big thrills on a relatively modest budget, a feat that has earned it considerable appreciation.
Storyline & Plot Analysis: An Underdog's Journey Against Ancient Evil
What is the plot of Mirai?
At its heart, Mirai explores the timeless struggle between good and evil, centring on a young warrior destined to protect sacred knowledge. The narrative begins in the aftermath of the Kalinga war, where Emperor Ashoka, burdened by destruction, secretly transfers his immense power into nine sacred scriptures. These scriptures, entrusted to nine trustworthy warriors, have been guarded across centuries by their descendants. Flash forward to the year 2000, the ruthless Mahabeer Lama, also known as Black Sword (Manchu Manoj), leader of the menacing Black Sword group, embarks on a quest to steal all nine scriptures to achieve immortality.The story then shifts focus to Ambika (Shriya Saran), a yogini who holds the ninth and most vital scripture, linked to immortality. A powerful premonition reveals Mahabeer’s destructive agenda, compelling her to take drastic measures. Her child, Vedha Prajapathi (Teja Sajja), born under a destined star, grows up as an orphan in Hyderabad, unaware of his sacred lineage. The narrative truly kicks off when Vibha (Ritika Nayak), a student from Ambika Ashram, seeks out Vedha to convince him to embrace his destiny as the "chosen one" to stop Mahabeer. Vedha’s journey involves accessing Mirai, a divine weapon linked to Lord Rama, hidden in the Himalayas, a staff he must wield to counter Mahabeer’s sorcery.
Does Mirai have a unique storyline and pacing?
While ambitious in its fusion of faith, science, history, and myth, some critics argue that the film occasionally strains logic and belief, particularly in its concept of "spiritual physics" which is deemed meaningless. The historical narrative of Ashoka’s Buddhist expansion is notably overwritten by a story of Hinduism’s spread through these scriptures, a creative liberty likened to Harry Potter's Horcrux concept. The film's reliance on a largely linear storyline also contributes to a sense of predictability, diminishing the narrative tension that a story of this scale typically demands. The heroism of Vedha and the villainy of Mahabeer are at times vaguely written, requiring the audience to accept them as a given rather than being fully convinced.However, the film is lauded for its largely engaging fantasy drama, particularly in its "five superbly executed blocks" that are seamlessly integrated into the story. These include the pre-interval sequence, Vedha's transformation, the antagonist's backstory, montage sequences with the Jaithraya song, and the climax involving Lord Rama. The first half, in particular, is noted for its brisk pace and intriguing visuals, drawing audiences into the mysterious world of Mirai. Despite an overall runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes, the pacing in the first half is generally engaging, though some sequences, like the hero's introduction, forced comedy, and romantic tracks, are criticised for feeling stretched and out of place. The second half, while containing impactful moments, tends to lose momentum and become somewhat predictable, with certain scenes dragging.
Performances & Acting: Stellar Portrayals Elevate the Narrative
How does Teja Sajja perform in Mirai?
Teja Sajja, as Vedha/Superyodha, shines with a confident and compelling portrayal of the underdog warrior. His "fiery" and intense action sequences, combined with his strong screen presence, reinforce the notion that he is "here to stay" in the industry. He brings both believability and subtle vulnerability to his character, particularly in scenes related to his mother. While some early reactions described his acting as "artificial" in certain comedic and romantic scenes, many agree he convincingly performs action sequences and emotes genuinely in sensitive moments, carrying the film without traditional song-and-dance numbers. His performance shows maturity and confidence compared to his earlier work, marking a significant step forward in his career.Who plays the villain in Mirai and how is their performance?
Manchu Manoj plays the main antagonist, Mahabeer Lama, also known as Black Sword. In his return to the big screen, he delivers a "menacing" and "ferocious" performance. His controlled yet impactful portrayal, coupled with strong screen presence and dialogue delivery, makes him a memorable villain, drawing comparisons to Lord Voldemort. Critics have hailed his role as a "strong comeback" and he is praised for "stealing the show with his nonchalance and on-screen charisma".How is Shriya Saran's role in Mirai?
Shriya Saran, as Ambika, provides a surprisingly committed and emotionally resonant performance as Vedha's mother. Her ability to eschew glamour and deliver one of her best portrayals in recent times adds significant emotional depth and gravitas to the narrative. Her character's reveal is noted as an impactful block within the film.Ritika Nayak portrays Vibha, an ascetic guide, with charm and a fresh presence. While her character is crucial, the role offers limited scope for a standout performance. She is well-cast and avoids stereotypical "heroine" tropes, maintaining focus on the main plot.
Among the supporting cast, Jayaram (Agastya Rishi) and Jagapathi Babu (Angama Bali, a tribal chieftain) deliver impressive performances despite their limited screen time, making their presence felt. Getup Srinu, in a comedic friend role, manages to generate a few laughs, and is praised for being kept in check by the director, avoiding his usual over-the-top style. However, the comedic tracks involving directors Venkatesh Maha and Kishore Tirumala are largely criticised as unnecessary, lacking finesse and feeling irrelevant to the main plot. The overall Mirai cast delivers a strong effort.
Direction & Screenplay: A Visionary Attempt with Notable Flaws
What is Karthik Gattamneni's directorial style for Mirai?
Karthik Gattamneni wears multiple hats as director, writer (with Manibabu Karanam), and cinematographer for Mirai, demonstrating a clear and unified vision. His directorial style is lauded for being "grand in vision, sharp in execution, and engaging in writing". He is especially commended for his ability to translate a massive visual spectacle onto the screen with a comparatively limited budget, proving that a director with a proper vision doesn’t always need "hundreds of crores" to achieve grandeur. His deep understanding of Indian values and traditions, particularly in depicting mother-son or mentor-disciple relationships, forms the emotional backbone of the story.The screenplay, co-written by Gattamneni and Manibabu Karanam, is ambitious in its attempt to merge ancient mysticism with modern storytelling. It’s praised for delivering "five very well executed blocks" that seamlessly integrate into the narrative, providing regular adrenaline rushes for the audience. Dialogue writing, a point of criticism in Gattamneni's previous film Eagle, is notably more balanced and avoids being over-the-top in Mirai. Lines like "Devudiki Eduru Velle Vadini….Nuvvu Edurukobotunnav" effectively summarise the film's core.
Are there any weaknesses in Mirai's screenplay?
Yes, the screenplay also faces criticism for its "oversmart, underwrought manner" in blending history and myth. The linear narrative style makes the plot predictable, as the stakes are revealed early on, dampening the impact of Vedha’s journey to embrace his destiny. This lack of surprise contributes to a perceived absence of mystery and emotional resonance in key moments, such as Vedha’s first encounter with Mahabeer or his acquisition of the divine weapon. The concept of "Spiritual physics" as a punchline is criticised as meaningless, representing a strain on logic and belief. Despite these narrative weaknesses, the film's ability to create a memorable villain in Mahabeer Lama is a notable achievement.Technical Aspects: A Visual Feast Backed by a Powerful Score
How are Mirai's visual effects and cinematography?
Mirai truly excels in its technical departments, with its visual and auditory elements consistently enhancing the cinematic experience. Karthik Gattamneni’s cinematography is described as "outstanding" and "visually stunning". The camera work, in seamless conjunction with the visual effects, elevates the film beyond typical commercial fare, delivering a sleek and immersive experience. The inventive visual palette, incorporating effective VFX, animation, and AI-rendered imagery, contributes significantly to the film’s grandeur. The Visual Effects (VFX) team deserves significant appreciation for delivering "top-notch visuals in most parts with a limited budget". The creation of the "giant eagle" and other high-octane sequences like fast-paced chases and combat choreography are especially praised. The film manages to create a "visually spectacular entertainer" with "superb VFX", proving that vision can outweigh a massive budget. However, there are mentions of "excessive usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI)" leading to some "artificial" visuals, particularly in the first half. The magical Mirai stick itself is noted for appearing "flimsy and snappable".
What about Mirai's background score and editing?
Gowra Hari’s background score is a standout asset, often hailed as the "best thing happened to the film". His "first-rate output" and "terrific background score" elevate numerous sequences, taking them to the next level. Specifically, his work during the pre-interval sequence in the Himalayas involving Vedha and the giant eagle, and the 'Jaithraya' song, are highlighted for inducing "goosebumps". Unlike his score for Hanu-Man which relied on traditional chants, Mirai features an original background score that works immensely in its favour. The decision to omit the 'Vibe Vundi Baby' song is seen as a "good call" to maintain the film's flow.Sreekar Prasad's editing is generally competent but identified as an area for improvement. Critics suggest that it "would have been better, especially in the first half," with at least ten minutes of unnecessary comedy sequences that could have been trimmed. Sharper editing, particularly in the second half, could have made the film even more engaging and addressed the issue of scenes tending to drag.
Highlights & Weaknesses: Balancing Ambition with Execution
What are the highlights of Mirai?
The film’s greatest strengths lie in its five very well-executed blocks, the phenomenal background score by Gowra Hari, and the stunning visual effects, particularly the breathtaking bird sequences and the impactful climax. Teja Sajja’s confident and committed performance as Vedha and Manchu Manoj’s menacing portrayal of the Black Sword are significant assets. The unique story backdrop, inspired by Ashoka’s Nine Unknown Men and references to the Ramayana, adds an intriguing layer. The film is praised for achieving grandeur and visual spectacle on a mid-sized budget of approximately ₹50-60 crore, making it a commendable effort for the Telugu industry. The first half is widely considered engaging and refreshing, with the interval sequence creating a "goosebumps blast". The emotional core, driven by the mother-son bond and themes of sacrifice, adds depth.What are the weaknesses of Mirai?
Despite its strengths, Mirai is not without its flaws. A major drawback is the pacing issues, particularly in the first half, where unnecessary comedy sequences involving friends and cops, and a lukewarm romantic track, feel "forced" and "out of place," disrupting the narrative flow. The narrative often becomes predictable due to its linear storytelling, diminishing the element of surprise and emotional resonance in key moments. Some critics point to a "dull mixture of science-fiction and religion" and a "meek, oversmart, underwrought manner" in blending history and myth. The "excessive usage of AI" results in certain visuals appearing "artificial". Additionally, the film’s heroism and villainy can feel vaguely written, and the divine Mirai weapon itself is described as "flimsy". The near three-hour runtime, coupled with a second half that loses steam and becomes repetitive, also contributes to duller portions.Final Verdict & Rating: A Worthwhile Yet Flawed Fantasy Adventure
Is Mirai worth watching?
Yes, Mirai is described as a "worthwhile theatrical experience" and "definitely worth a watch". It offers an entertaining and visually impressive cinematic journey, especially for fans of Indian fantasy and superhero narratives. Its strengths in direction, performances, background score, and VFX outweigh its narrative flaws, making it a compelling big-screen experience. The Mirai rating reflects a balanced view of its strengths and weaknesses.Mirai emerges as an ambitious and largely engaging fantasy adventure that successfully delivers a visual spectacle, especially given its budget. It masterfully blends mythology and modern storytelling, driven by strong performances from Teja Sajja and a standout Manchu Manoj. Karthik Gattamneni's vision as director, writer, and cinematographer, coupled with Gowra Hari's exceptional background score and top-notch VFX, creates numerous "theater-worthy moments". The film's commitment to delivering high-octane action and emotional depth, particularly through the mother-son narrative, resonates well.
However, the film's narrative predictability, occasional pacing issues in the first half, and some instances of forced comedy detract from an otherwise compelling experience. While it aims for an epic scope, the execution sometimes strains logic and could have benefited from tighter editing and a more surprising screenplay. Despite these flaws, Mirai offers an entertaining and visually impressive cinematic journey, making it a "worthwhile theatrical experience" and a commendable effort for the Telugu film industry.
Rating: 3.25/5
Mirai is a must-watch for fans of Indian fantasy and superhero narratives, offering a rich mythological backdrop and impressive technical execution that makes it a big-screen experience to cherish, even with its imperfections.Related Reviews
- War 2 (2025) Movie Review: Star Power vs. Story
- Coolie (2025) Movie Review: Rajinikanth's Latest Underwhelms
 Telugu Movie Review: Teja Sajja’s Fantasy Epic){kind=link}
0 Comments