Mirai Review

In Tollywood, once a movie's budget crosses the Rs 50 crore bracket, it often stops being a work of art. The focus shifts to pan-India appeal, with formulas and compromises taking over - the film becomes a product, not an artistic creation. Yet, a rare few filmmakers still prioritise art despite the scale. Mirai is one such film. It puts artistry first, leaves no stone unturned to craft the best possible experience, and never panders to the masses. And that's exactly what makes it stand out - not just in Tollywood, but far beyond. Mark my words, Mirai is on its way to becoming one of the biggest hits of 2025.

Emperor Ashoka is heartbroken by the loss of so many lives in the Kalinga war. He gives up his nine powers and passes them into nine sacred scriptures, each protected by a brave warrior from a different group. These families have been guarding the scriptures for generations.

In the year 2000, a selfish and cruel man named Mahabir Lama, also called Black Sword (Manchu Manoj), tries to steal all nine scriptures to become immortal. He manages to take eight of them and gain their powers, but to become truly immortal, he still needs the ninth scripture, Amaragrandham, which is protected by Vedha (Teja Sajja).

Teja Sajja gained a huge fan following after his critically and commercially successful film Hanu-Man. So, it is no surprise that just a few minutes into Mirai, when he first appears on screen, the audience bursts into cheers and whistles - and he truly deserves it. But the movie quickly draws viewers into its world so deeply that there is complete silence, where even the faint crackle of popcorn can be heard. What follows is nothing short of cinematic brilliance. The audience becomes fully immersed, giving their complete attention to the story.

Unlike many recent Tollywood films with weak scripts, Mirai feels refreshingly original. You will be amazed at how cleverly the story is written and how brilliantly it unfolds on screen. There are many urban legends about Emperor Ashoka - his secret courts, hidden societies, superpowers and more. But until now, no one had combined these fragments into an engaging fantasy and introduced a modern-day villain to create a fresh narrative of a battle between good and evil. Mirai seamlessly blends modern times with Ashoka's era, while also weaving in connections to Lord Rama, Jatayu and sage Agastya. All these elements are so thoughtfully connected that it reminded me of T S Eliot's famous essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent". Every culture already has a rich literary legacy - stories have been told before. What matters is how you tell them. That is where true talent and style come in, and Mirai excels there.

What also makes Mirai stand out, apart from the story, is the way it is visually brought to life. Director Karthik Gattamneni, who started his career as a cinematographer, brings a unique advantage - he has a sharper eye for visuals than directors without such a background. Beyond direction, he ensures frame-by-frame precision, giving the film a polished and immersive cinematic experience.

Of course, the movie has its drawbacks. It takes a considerable amount of time to introduce the key characters and build up to the main conflict. The makers could have made the story tighter instead of stretching it to its current runtime of 2 hours and 50 minutes, without even any songs to speak of. While some comedy scenes are entertaining, they disrupt the flow and slow down the film's intensity. A few of these could have been trimmed to keep the narrative more focused.

Teja Sajja has grown significantly as an actor since Hanu-Man. He delivers a convincing performance as an ordinary man who gains superpowers - the Mirai - and takes on the responsibility of saving the world. Despite his lean frame, he convincingly carries the role of someone with super strength, and the audience wholeheartedly supports him. His role demands a wide range of emotions, from romance to intense action, and he handles it all effortlessly.

For Manchu Manoj, this film is a major turning point - a career-reviving opportunity. On the brink of fading from the industry, he embraces this role and gives it his all. It is a stronger, meatier part than those he has done before, and while it is unclear if he is "hero material", he clearly excels when playing the villain.

Aside from Sajja and Manoj, another standout is Hollywood actress Tanja Keller. A seasoned martial arts performer with experience since the age of six, she plays Lama's henchwoman. Though her role offers limited emotional depth and her lines are in English, her commanding presence and flawlessly executed combat scenes make her unforgettable.

Jayaram and Shriya Saran also deliver solid performances, though their roles are more restrained, typical of mythological characters with limited emotional arcs. Meanwhile, Getup Srinu brings warmth and humour as Sajja's friend, adding a relatable and entertaining character to the story.

When it comes to technical aspects, the filmmakers have used AI, VFX and CGI wherever necessary - and they have done it with remarkable flair. For the most part, the effects look realistic and match Hollywood standards. Even in scenes where there is a slight doubt about the visuals, the makers cleverly include a CGI ticker, letting viewers adjust their expectations without breaking immersion. The action scenes, especially those involving supernatural powers, are highly creative and convincing. It can be safely said that you have not seen anything like this before.

As mentioned earlier, the cinematography is simply flawless. Everything - from sets and weapon designs to music - is thoughtfully created from scratch and rooted in Indian mythology. And the action sequences and stunts are so well-crafted that they evoke the feel of popular Hollywood comics.

Gowra Hari's background score is another standout. While his work in Hanu-Man was impactful but somewhat derivative, every track here feels fresh, original and deeply engaging.

I could go on, but as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Go experience this one for yourself at your nearest cinema.