Movie: Mangalavaaram
Starring: Payal Rajput, Nandita Swetha, Divya Pillai, Ajmal Amir, 
Mulidhar Goud, Chaitanya Krishna, Ajay Ghosh, Ravindra Vijay, Priyadarshi etc.
Music: B. Ajaneesh Lokanath
Editing: Madhavkumar Gullapally
Cinematography: Shivendra Dasarathi
Producer: S: Swati Gunupathi, Suresh Varma M, Ajay Bhupathi
Banners: Mugdha Media Works, A Creative Works
Written and Directed by: Ajay Bhupathi

Director Ajay Bhupathi mesmerized the audience with a cult movie like RX 100. Payal Rajput's was a big plus. After that, Ajay Bhupathi's film Maha Samudhram did not get the expected reception from audience and he made another attempt with the film 'Mangalavaram'. Payal Rajput was cast in the lead role in this movie as well. The trailer, teaser and promotions of this movie have brought good hype on the movie. The director has been saying that this is a mysterious thriller from the beginning. So, let's dive into the review of Mangalavaaram.

Story:

The film is set in 1986 in a village and it starts with two children named Shailaja and Ravi. Both of them who are very loving and affectionate get separated due to some circumstances. 10 years later, the double murders in that town will create a sensation. Someone writes the names of those who had an illicit relationship on the wall on every Mangalavaaram. Who is actually writing those writings on the walls? How police (Nandita Swetha) tries to solve the mystery of the murders. Payal Rajput has a key role in these murders and you have to find out by watching the film in theatres. What events happened in her life? What happened in the end? That is the rest of the story. 

Analysis: 

In a way, it can be said as the story of Shailaja. But, her character was shown as a child. The adult character will enter in the second half.  The entire first half revolves around the double murders. But, in the first half the story does not move forward at all. After all, who has done the murders, who is writing on the walls. The village tries tries to catch them. The real story starts in the second half. All the scenes shown till then were only to create an interest but they were not useful to move the story forward. But the background music and the way the characters have appeared so far keeps audience engrossed. The comedy of Ajay Ghosh and his lackie gives a bit of relief here and there. The director managed the first half somehow and in second half he turns the tale by narrating heroine story and her special condition. He tried to show what was the relationship between the murders and the heroine and what was the injustice done to the heroine. But the director failed to create sympathy for Payal Rajput's character and you feel disconnected. There was a murder mystery, unnecessary fights, some comedy scenes. Suddenly, the audience did not have time to think about the problems Shailaja was facing and the injustice done to her. However, the director succeeded in making the last half hour of the film exciting. Besides, there are some surprises in the movie which will thrill audience.

Actors Performance:

Payal Rajput did a wonderful job as Shailaja. There are usually less chances of heroines agreeing to do such a character. She did a bold character and impressed everyone. Ajay Ghosh's comedy has worked out well at some places. Chaitanya krishna seemed okay in the role of the landlord. Ravindra Vijay played the crucial role of doctor in the movie very effectively. The artists who have done the rest of the characters have also done full justice to their respective characters.

Technical works:

Technically, the film stands tall with brilliant visuals and Ajaneesh Loknath's music. In terms of songs and background score, Ajaneesh has put in a good effort. But the background score given by him in many scenes in the movie reminds of Kantara movie. In few places, the sound was loud. Shivendra Dasarathi's cinematography is also good for the movie. He provided a nice visuals and the film needed more editing. Editor Madhav Kumar has done it very effectively. Talking about the director Ajay Bhupathi, the chosen plot, the backdrop, a new kind of problem for the heroine, the director has set all these well. Otherwise, he could not create interest as the scenes were written in such a way as to make the entire first half feel like a movie. The talent of the director can be seen in the second half more than the first half. It seems that there will be a second part of the movie as it says 'to be continued' in the film's end. 

Telugu One Perspective:

Audiences always appreciate movies with a different concept. When it comes to this movie.. it is a movie that cannot be said to be belongs to one genre. It has many stories and many twists and turns. Although the director handled all of them effectively, the first half became a big minus. The start of the movie is very simple with a slow narration. After that, the audience will lose patience as half of the film is narrated by the murder mysteries. And at the time of wondering what will happen in the second half, he came to the original story in the second half and it is packed with twists and turns. Although there are some minuses in the movie, there are also pluses corresponding to it. Although this is not a movie that will appeal to all sections of the audience, there are chances of impressing the set of audience. 

Rating: 2.75/5