Mirai Movie Review: Engaging fantasy ride with heart, though not always smooth.

Mirai, directed by Karthik Gattamneni and starring Teja Sajja, arrives with high expectations, especially following the success of Hanu-Man. While Mirai treads some familiar ground in its mythological action adventure approach, it still manages to deliver a fairly engaging theatrical experience, thanks largely to its impressive technical strengths and a committed lead performance.

Teja Sajja once again steps into a superhero-like role and pulls it off with ease. His portrayal of Vedha carries both charm and intensity, especially in the emotionally charged and action-heavy sequences. Manchu Manoj makes a solid impact as the antagonist Mahabir, bringing menace and style to his role, even if his backstory could have been fleshed out better. Shriya Saran adds emotional weight in a key role, while Ritika Nayak plays her part well, though her character feels underutilized in the second half.

The plot is rooted in mythology, involving ancient secrets, immortality, and a race to retrieve sacred books guarded since the Ashokan era. The setup is ambitious, mixing fantasy elements with modern-day action and spiritual undertones. The narrative kicks off with promise, and though the early portions follow a predictable route, the pre-interval to interval stretch is particularly effective, with well-executed set pieces and a sense of momentum.

However, the film falters slightly in the second half. The pacing dips in a few places, and the screenplay starts to feel stretched. Some comedic scenes, especially involving the filmmaker cameos as policemen, feel forced and out of sync with the film’s tone. While the screenplay avoids excessive elevation dialogues, the storytelling occasionally leans on cliches. A few character arcs particularly those of supporting players remain underdeveloped.

Despite its flaws, Mirai holds together thanks to its grand visuals and technical finesse. The action set pieces, especially the train fight, the “Book of Sound” segment, and the depiction of Sampati stand out, even if the liberal use of AI and VFX occasionally feels excessive. Gowra Hari’s score is a major asset, heightening key moments without overpowering them.

Director Karthik Gattamneni shines more in individual sequences than in narrative cohesion, but his ambition is evident. The climax lands well, and the world-building is commendable, particularly within budget constraints. While comparisons to Hanu-Man are inevitable, Mirai finds its own voice. It may not reinvent the genre, but it offers enough thrills, emotion, and spectacle to satisfy fans of myth-infused action fantasies.

Overall, Mirai is a technically strong and intermittently thrilling action fantasy that’s let down slightly by its uneven pacing and familiar beats. Still, it’s a solid watch that deserves credit for its ambition, visual scale, and sincere performances.

Mirai Movie Rating: 3/5