Manu Charitra is produced by Narala Srinivas Reddy. The word 'Charitra' in the title is because the film narrates the history of Manu, played by Shiva Kandukuri. But this doesn't mean the film is like a biopic of its male lead. The film's story has span covering years. 'Falling in love is a painful joy' is its caption. Here is our review of the film:

Plot:

The story is set in Warangal. The film opens with a rowdy named Manu (Shiva Kandukuri) flirting with a number of girls. Priya, Naveena, Shravya and a few others fall for his intelligence and charms. But Manu is fickle and breaks up with them in quick succession.

Why is he like this? It is because he had a break-up in the past. Jennifer (Megha Akash), a Christian by birth, was his heartbreak until something terrible tore them apart. The drama also features a ganglord-like rowdy sheeter (played by 'Daali' Dhanjay) and the Mayor (Srikanth Iyyengar).

Performances:

Shiva Kandukuri said that this is his first commercial movie. He understands the demands of a commercial role and delivers the goods. Among the actresses, Megha Akash has a meaty part. Her emotional scene in the climax works well.

The rest of the female artists are good as well in their limited roles. Garima Kaushal as a Muslim girl, Priya Vadlamani of 'Hushaaru' fame, and Harishita Chowdary as Stella fit the bill. Suhaas of 'Writer Padmabhushan' is nice in the role of the male lead's friend. ‘Daali’ Dhananjay, Srikanth Iyyengar, and Madhu Nandhan play different roles.

Technical Departments:

Gopi Sundar's music would have been better with good picturization. Despite being a Malayalam composer, he gets the Warangal beats so right. Prawin Pudi's editing is not up to the mark. Some scenes are too lengthy. Cinematographer Rahul Shrivatsav delivers decent output. Upendar Reddy's art direction gets scope. Dance choreographers Bhanu and Chandra Kiran don't give impossible moves. The action choreography by ‘Real’ Sathish, Jashuva, and Nandhu works in parts.

Merits:

The storyline.

Some emotional scenes.

The blending of love and crime stories.

The lyrics are noteworthy.

Poetic imagination of the idea of romance in some portions.

Demerits:

Too lengthy. The film has a running time of nearly 160-165 minutes.

Improper sequencing of scenes.

The love track doesn't have novel ideas.

Some predictable elements.

Over-the-top dialogues.

Verdict:

Manu Charitra is a mixed bag. The film has both hits and misses. The 'Arjun Reddy'-like treatment elevates some stretches. Director Bharath Pedagani makes the story hero-centric.