Needless to say, Mad (MAD) was a massive hit. The records set by the film and its growing fan base led to the announcement of a sequel. This time, the Mad team returns with Mad Square. Let’s see how much this film manages to entertain the audience!
Story: While the first part ends with the Mad gang’s college adventures, the sequel begins with Laddu’s (Vishnu Oi) wedding. Just as Laddu is set to marry after giving a dowry, his friends (Narne Nithin, Sangeeth Shobhan, and Ram Nithin) interrupt the proceedings, resulting in the wedding getting canceled. Laddu, who had planned to go to Goa with his new wife for their honeymoon, instead ends up going with his friends. There, the gang unexpectedly crosses paths with Bhai (Sunil). What is Bhai’s connection with the Mad gang? And how do they navigate the chaos that ensues? The plot of Mad Square revolves around these twists and turns.
Performances: Narne Nithin seems to have taken the criticism of the first film seriously and has improved significantly as an actor, particularly in his comic timing and dialogue delivery. He holds his own alongside the other leads. Sangeeth Shobhan, as always, impresses with his comedy timing, while Ram Nithin entertains with his energy and charming looks. However, it is Vishnu Oi who steals the show. The story largely revolves around him, and he gets most of the punch dialogues, making his character stand out.
After a long time, Sunil shines in a role tailored to his strengths. Subhalekha Sudhakar appears in a fresh avatar, and the director showcases his versatility. Priyanka Jawalkar adds glamour in a special role, and her scene with Anudeep KV is a comedic highlight. Muralidhar Goud delivers yet another strong performance, with his scenes alongside Sunil being particularly entertaining.
Technical Aspects: From a technical standpoint, there isn’t much to praise. The film has noticeable shortcomings, but the director moves at a pace that leaves little time to dwell on them. As producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi mentioned, Mad Square does not focus on storytelling or narrative strength—it’s all about comedy. The songs are not that great and need more spice. The film is richly made though it is low-budgeted. The rest of the aspects like editing and camera work are not up to the mark.
Analysis: One of the strengths of the first Mad film was its organic characters, which made the humor feel natural and relatable. In the sequel, that authenticity is missing, affecting the overall impact. Director Kalyan Shankar manages to provide laughs but does not fully succeed in making Mad Square as engaging as its predecessor.
However, while the first half delivers solid humor, the second half lacks the same energy. In comedy-of-error films, screenplay plays a crucial role, and maintaining a consistent comedic flow is essential. Unfortunately, Mad Square falters in this aspect. The comedy graph dips in the second half, making it difficult to sustain the audience’s engagement.
Had Kalyan Shankar handled the second half with better comedic and narrative execution instead of resorting to a chaotic, disjointed approach, Mad Square could have been a blockbuster on par with Mad. However, due to a dip in the comedy graph and a lack of magic in the second half, the film remains an above-average entertainer.
Verdict: Overall, MAD 2 is just about okay and does not have standout moments. But the comedy keeps you at bay. If you are the one who does not mind over-the-top comedies, give the film a shot but be prepared for the routine ride.
Bottom Line: Only a few laughs
Rating: 2/5
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