Mudhra Media Works and A Creative Works’ Mangalvaar (dubbed from Telugu film Mangalavaaram; A) is a story set in a rural area. A series of deaths in the village shocks the villagers. There is a common thread in all the deaths. The deceased are all believed to have had extramarital affairs. What’s more, all the deaths happen on Tuesday. Soon, the villagers devise a plan to crack the mystery behind the numerous deaths. Is somebody behind the deaths? Are they murders? Who could the killer be?
Ajay Bhupathi has penned a story which comes into its own after interval only. His screenplay is dull in the first half but gains momentum post-interval. Yet, the impact of the first part of the drama is so weak that the audience doesn’t quite enjoy the proceedings in the second half too. Dialogues are so-so.
Payal Rajput delivers a fantastic performance as Sailaja. Nandita Swetha is good as police inspector Maaya. Priyadarshi Pulikonda is fair as Ravi. Divya Pillai makes her mark as the zamindar’s wife, Rajeshwari Devi. Chaitanya Krishna is okay as zamindar Prakasham Babu. Ravindra Vijay is nice in the role of Dr. Viswanatham. Ajay Ghosh leaves a fine mark as Kaasi Raju. Ajmal Ameer has his moments as Madan. Lakshman (as Kaasi Raju’s assistant), Shravan Reddy (as photographer Siva) and Sritej (as Guraja) pass muster. Tharun Bhascker (in a special appearance as himself) adds star value but not for the Hindi film-going audience.
Ajay Bhupathi’s direction is okay post-interval. However, he is not able to hold the film together in the first half. B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music is average for the Hindi film-going viewers but his background music is lovely. Lyrics are ordinary. Dasaradhi Sivendra’s cinematography is nice. Madhav Kumar Gullapalli’s editing is loose. Dubbing is alright.
On the whole, Mangalvaar will find the going tough.
Released on 15-12-’23 at Gossip (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.