‘Mad Square’ Movie Review
Actors: Narne Nithin, Sangeet Shobhan, Ram Nithin, Vishnu Oi, Priyanka Jawalkar, Muralidhar Goud, Sunil, Shubhalekha Sudhakar, Anish Kuruvilla, Satyam Rajesh and others
Music: Bheems Cicerolio
Background Music: Thaman
Cinematography: Shyam Dutt
Producers: Suryadevara Nagavanshi, Harika, Sai Soujanya
Written-Directed by: Kalyan Shankar
The team that delivered non-stop laughter with MAD is back with its sequel, Mad Square. Directed by Kalyan Shankar and featuring Narne Nithin, Sangeet Shobhan, and Ram Nithin, the film hit theaters today. But does it live up to the madness of the original? Let’s dive in and find out!
Story:
After wrapping up their studies and stepping into adulthood, the MAD gang, 'M'anoj (Ram Nithin), 'A'shok (Narne Nithin), 'D'amodar (Sangeet Shobhan) meet up and attend their ever-entertaining friend Laddu (Vishnu Oy)'s wedding. However, chaos unfolds when the bride elopes with someone who actually comes to the wedding along with this gang, leaving Laddu furious. To patch things up, the group sets off for Goa, to which Laddu actually plans his honeymoon trip initially. What starts as a fun getaway soon spirals into a series of errors and crime. What trouble do they land in, and how do they escape it? That’s the rest of the story.
Analysis:
Telugu cinema has delivered many comedy films, but MAD stood out with its effortless organic humor and unconventional narrative. With no structured screenplay or layered storyline, the film simply banked on crazy yet natural characters, hilarious dialogues, and well-crafted situational comedy. The fresh college backdrop, peppy music, and energetic performances worked wonders, making it a favorite for youths. Naturally that led to huge expectations for its sequel, MAD Square.
Instead of sticking to the familiar college setting, director Kalyan Shankar attempted a change, shifting the plot to a wedding and a Goa trip. While this switch was meant to bring freshness, it didn't deliver the same level of entertainment as its predecessor. The natural humor that made MAD such a blockbuster feels forced this time around. Director Kalyan Shankar struggles to create consistently engaging comedic moments, unlike in the original. That doesn't mean there are no laughs, as certain sequences are genuinely funny, but the film lacks the original energy and non-stop humor that MAD effortlessly provided.
The first half holds promise, starting with the reunion of the MAD gang at Laddu’s wedding. Laddu’s excitement about seeing his friends is quickly overshadowed by his fear of the mess they will cause. The wedding house sequences are loud and entertaining, and the humor around the cancellation of wedding lands well, making for some solid comic moments. Scenes like friends awkwardly explaining the cancelled wedding to random people, and even to a food delivery boy in Goa later on, are a laugh riot. Up to this point, Mad Square manages to maintain its fun spirit.
However, the film loses its charm when it ventures into crime-comedy territory. The second half is heavily dosed with shades of Bollywood films and Jaathiratnalu, and fails to engage as expected. The humor starts feeling repetitive, and the once-spontaneous comedy becomes predictable as the audience already know how the characters react in the same way to every situation. That made the jokes less impactful. The brothel house comedy falls flat, and only a few scenes involving Sunil’s mafia don character stand out. Since the film is entirely lighthearted, the crime element never feels interesting, and the climax lacks punch.
On the bright side, the film benefits from a lively first half, a couple of well-shot songs as heroine Priyanka Jawalkar in one song and Monica Rebba John in Swathi Reddy song added a lot of glamour. However, the absence of a romantic track, unlike the first installment, is a noticeable setback. MAD Square offers moderate entertainment but lacks the organic, free-flowing comedy that made MAD special. The film doesn't quite match the hype created by the team’s promise of "bigger entertainment" with their promotional acts.
Performances:
The Mad Gang Brings the Energy;
Sangeet Shobhan shines once again, delivering a confident performance with sharp comedic timing. Ram Nithin plays his part well, while Narne Nithin is decent but not remarkable. Vishnu Oy steals the show, bringing humor effortlessly as his heartbroken expressions alone are enough to make audiences laugh. Balagam fame Muralidhar Goud is fantastic in the father’s role, with his father-son interactions serving as major highlights. Sunil’s comedic don act is enjoyable, though not groundbreaking. Satyam Rajesh, Anish Kuruvilla, and others perform adequately but don’t leave a strong impact.
In the end, MAD Square is a passable entertainer with laughs here and there but fails to match the spontaneous madness of its predecessor. Fans of MAD might find it enjoyable in parts, but it doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
Technicians:
Mad Square is technically sound. Bheems Ceciroleo's songs are decent but lack a catchy melody like Nuvvu Navvukuntu from MAD. Thaman’s background score is energetic. Shyam Dutt’s cinematography is vibrant, and the production values match the film’s tone. Director Kalyan Shankar maintained the fun vibe but relied too much on routine crime-comedy elements, making the sequel less fresh than the first installment.
Verdict: Mad Square… Just okayish fun!
Rating- 2.5