‘Mazaka’ movie review: Sundeep Kishan, Rao Ramesh film entertains occasionally

Ritu Varma and Sundeep Kishan in ‘Mazaka’
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Reviewing a film often involves stating the obvious: an interesting or amusing idea does not always translate into an engaging cinematic experience. Yet, after watching director Trinadha Rao Nakkina’s Telugu comedy Mazaka, written by Prasanna Kumar Bezawada, it feels necessary to reiterate this point. The writer-director duo take a premise with potential for outrageous humour but dilute it with predictable tropes, making the film tedious. The saving grace is the performances of Sundeep Kishan, Rao Ramesh, and Ritu Varma, though even they can only do so much to redeem the narrative.

The film opens with a morning walker discovering a trail of red leading to two men washed up on Visakhapatnam beach. Alarmed, he alerts the police, only for the inspector (Ajay) to find that the men — Krishna (Sundeep Kishan) and his father Ramana (Rao Ramesh) — are not injured but simply hungover. The red stain, in fact, comes from a packet of avakaya (mango pickle) in their shirt pockets. The inspector, who is struggling with writer’s block while working on a novel, takes an interest in their story. The absurdity of the situation sets the tone for mindless fun and signals to the audience not to take anything too seriously — or ask too many questions.

We are expected to accept, without question, that prospective brides’ families reject Krishna simply because there is no woman in his household. Ramana’s wife passed away soon after Krishna’s birth, leaving father and son to navigate a strained relationship, unable to fill the emotional void. This backstory is narrated in a lighthearted manner, but when a marriage broker suggests that Ramana must first find himself a partner — so that the presence of a woman in the house will make it easier for Krishna to find a bride — it feels implausible and unconvincing.

The father’s pursuit of a partner could have been handled with some maturity. Instead, we see Ramana, in his 50s, instantly smitten by Yashoda (Anshu) and resorting to stalking her. While the revelation of their past connection somewhat redeems the narrative, until that point, the romance feels uncomfortable and problematic. Meanwhile, Krishna’s pursuit of Meera (Ritu Varma) follows the same tired tropes — chasing her to college and dealing with a rival who mistreats her — offering nothing new.

Mazaka picks up some momentum towards the intermission with a comedy of errors in a large house. Though the setting feels familiar, a few sharp one-liners and the engaging chemistry between Sundeep Kishan and Rao Ramesh inject some much-needed energy. Their camaraderie becomes the film’s backbone. Sundeep brings his characteristic charm to the romance and his clashes with Rao Ramesh, while also being sincere in the emotional moments. Rao Ramesh, with his seasoned presence, elevates even the more problematic sequences. A standout scene in the final act, featuring him and Ritu Varma, allows him to tap into his maturity and comfort zone.

Ritu is unfortunately given little to work with. Despite the underwritten role, she carries herself with ease, her screen presence effortlessly commanding attention.

The father-son story takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with the egoistic businessman Bhargav Varma (Murali Sharma). The role fits Murali Sharma like a glove, though his scheming antics bear a resemblance to his character in Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. Alongside his aide (Srinivas Reddy), he adds another layer of amusement to the proceedings.

Yet, when the major conflicts unfold, there are no real surprises. Had two key characters simply sat down and resolved their issues, half the film’s runtime could have been spared. The reliance on letters as a communication device — a tired trope in an era of instant messaging — further dampens the impact.

Mazaka had the potential to shine with fresh character arcs and novel storytelling but ultimately stumbles under the weight of outdated clichés.