Mama Mascheendra is Sudheer Babu’s latest film where he plays multiple roles. Harshvardhan directs this film which has been released today. Read our detailed review here.
Story: Parasuram (Sudheer Babu) becomes an unfeeling enforcer due to traumatic childhood experiences. He’s willing to eliminate even his own kin for vast wealth. He assigns his henchman, Dasu (Harshavardhan), to eliminate his sister’s family. Several years later, Parshuram’s daughter, Vishalakshi (Eesha Rebba), falls in love with the rough-and-tough Durga (Sudheer Babu) in Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, Dasu’s daughter Meenakshi (Mrinalini Ravi), who relocates to Hyderabad for work, falls for the famous DJ (Sudheer Babu). This ignites Parshuram’s suspicion that his nephews, who bear an uncanny resemblance to him, are scheming to seek revenge under the guise of love. Is there any truth to this suspicion, or is it merely Parshuram’s imagination? Watch the film to find out.
Performances: Sudheer Babu takes on three distinct roles, and while his regular persona fits well, the old-age makeup and character design fall short of expectations. The decision to have someone else dub for one of his roles is noticeable and doesn’t enhance the film’s quality. Sudheer Babu’s performance appears somewhat disengaged. Eesha Rebba and Mrinalini Ravi, in their respective roles as heroines, play typical characters without standout performances. Harshavardhan, more impressive as an actor than a director or writer in this instance, manages to make his presence felt. Rajeev Kanakala, Hariteja, and Ajay deliver decent performances within their respective roles.
Technical Aspects: The music and background score fail to make a significant impact, and the cinematography does not evoke the grandeur associated with high-budget films. The overall presentation feels somewhat lacking. The makeup done on Sudheer Babu looks odd. The production values are good but the dialogues were not that great. The writing is weak and so is the edit in the second half of the film. The screenplay is the biggest minus as the film fails to generate any interest in tense scenes.
Analysis: Harshavardhan, renowned for his track record as a writer, has previously delivered successful scripts, such as Manam, Gundajari Gallantayyinde, Chinnadana, and Neeku. Consequently, audience expectations are generally high when his name is associated with a project. However, Mama Mascheendra fails to meet these expectations. While the film’s twists and turns may not be entirely new, their frequency and complexity can leave viewers struggling to follow the storyline.
The film’s pacing becomes a challenge, making it difficult to sustain interest. Harshavardhan’s comedic talents, typically a strength in his films, are underutilized in this venture. The film lacks the expected levels of entertainment and humor. Several unanswered questions arise during the viewing experience. Why does the heroine fall for the hero Durga, who is unremarkable? What prompts the sudden transformation in the hero’s character during the climax?
The motives behind the intense grudge held by the antagonist against his nephews lack a convincing explanation. Some scenes appear to take liberties with cinematic logic. Sudheer Babu’s commitment to his physique and style is commendable, but attention to detail, especially in old-age get-ups, would have been beneficial. Mama Mascheendra suffers from pacing issues, a lack of cohesive storytelling, and a dearth of comedy, resulting in a disappointing outcome for both the actor and director Harshavardhan.
Verdict: On the whole, Mama Mascheendra has an interesting subject but it is spoilt by some silly narration and a lack of depth in the emotions. Sudheer Babu does well in multiple roles but the film does not have the depth or fun that one can sit through the entire film and ends as a below-par watch.
Bottom Line – Lacks proper execution
Rating: 1.5/5
