Mithra Mandali review: Routine story saved by Satya and VTV Ganesh
Mithra Mandali Review by Kausalya Rachavelpula
All your favourite comedians come together in one place, and the title Mitra Mandali fits perfectly as it reflects the everyday struggles of friends who are ordinary people, not action heroes. Their journey is presented in a fun, light-hearted way that keeps the mood cheerful throughout. The film has a spoof-like storyline that gives each character their own space and moments to shine. This balance makes it an enjoyable watch, particularly for those who appreciate comedy centred on friendship.
A familiar love story that feels forced
The film follows a very familiar Telugu cinema formula. A rich girl goes against her father’s wishes and chooses someone outside her caste. Normally, such stories are shown as emotional love tales where the heroine falls for someone from a different background. But here, she chooses him not out of love, but simply to irritate her father.
Because of this, the love story feels unnatural and forced from the very beginning. The audience doesn’t get the chance to feel connected to the characters or their journey.
Friendship: Only touched, not explored
The film tries to bring in different types of friendships, childhood friends, college friends and social media friends. However, instead of exploring these relationships deeply, the story only mentions them in passing. There are no strong emotional bonds or moments that make these friendships memorable.
This makes the theme of friendship feel more like a background element than a real part of the story.
Comedy shines through Satya and VTV Ganesh
The biggest strength of the film is its comedy. Satya’s character is the heart and oxygen of the movie. Whenever he is on screen, his timing, expressions and dialogues bring laughter and energy. His presence makes even dull scenes entertaining.
Similarly, VTV Ganesh adds another layer of humour. His character is hilarious and lightens the mood. Satya and VTV Ganesh carry the comic side of the film.
Satire on social issues works decently
The satire on social issues works decently at a few points when it syncs well with the audience’s taste. The film brings in topics like caste, politics and government in a way that matches the overall humour. When these moments connect, they get a good response and add some extra energy to the scenes. It’s a nice touch that blends smoothly with the flow of the story.
Predictability: The biggest weakness
From the very first scenes, the story is completely predictable. It’s obvious who the heroine will love and how things will turn out. This lack of surprise makes the film flat and less engaging.
Good comedy works best when the audience doesn’t see what’s coming, when twists and situations bring fresh laughs. But here, every turn feels expected.
Trying too hard to be like other hits
It’s clear that the makers were inspired by successful comedy films like Jathi Ratnalu and MAD. Those films worked because their humour felt natural and their emotions were real.
In Jathi Ratnalu, the love story and the hero’s struggles were genuine and relatable. In MAD, the emotional moment of betrayal added depth to the fun. But in Mitra Mandali, the love story is rushed and forced, and there’s no emotional connection to hold the comedy together.
Mithra Mandali review verdict: Fun in bits, but lacks soul
Mitra Mandali is a light comedy that survives mainly because of Satya and VTV Ganesh. Their performances bring much-needed fun to the screen. However, the story is routine, predictable and emotionally empty.
The film might make you laugh in parts, but it doesn’t stay with you once it’s over. It’s more like a series of comedy scenes tied together than a proper love story or friendship drama.
Fridaywall rating: 2/5
