Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu Review: Chiranjeevi’s Comeback Party, Logic Not Invited

New Delhi, january 12, 2026: The Sankranthi season of 2026 has officially kicked off with a “Mega” bang. Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, the highly anticipated collaboration between Megastar Chiranjeevi and director Anil Ravipudi, has hit the screens with a clear message: leave your thinking caps at the door and bring your whistles instead.

The Plot: A Family Reunion with a Twist

The film follows Prasad (Chiranjeevi), a former NSG officer who has spent years separated from his wife, Sasirekha (Nayanthara), and their children. Under the guise of a security assignment to protect a high-profile businessman (Sachin Khedekar) and his daughter (who happens to be Sasirekha), Prasad attempts to infiltrate his own family’s lives to win back their hearts. While the setup has “family drama” written all over it, the execution is pure, unadulterated commercial cinema.

The “Boss” is Truly Back

After a few experimental and action-heavy turns in recent years, this film marks the return of the “Vintage Chiru” that fans have been craving.

• Effortless Comedy: Chiranjeevi’s comic timing is the lifeblood of the movie. Whether he’s getting teary-eyed while watching a TV serial or navigating the chaos of a boarding school, his energy is infectious.
• Screen Presence: Looking fitter and more stylish than he has in a decade, Chiranjeevi carries the film on his shoulders, proving that his charm remains untouched by time.
• Star Cameo: The much-hyped appearance of Victory Venkatesh as “Venky Gowda” provides a massive high in the second half. Watching the two legends share the screen and dance to each other’s hits is a pure fan-service masterstroke.

The Anil Ravipudi Formula: Fun Over Logic

If you are looking for a grounded narrative or a watertight script, you are in the wrong theater. Director Anil Ravipudi sticks to his signature template—fast-paced humor, loud characters, and situational comedy that often defies the laws of physics and common sense.

While the first half breezes through with sharp jokes and engaging family moments, the second half occasionally falters. The villain track, played by Sudev Nair, feels generic and underwritten, serving only as a convenient reason for the hero to flex his muscles. The emotional depth, though present, often takes a backseat to the next comedy set-piece.

Technical Highlights

• Music: Bheems Ceciroleo delivers a winning soundtrack. The folk-inspired interval number and the melody “Sasirekha” are already chartbusters.
• Visuals: Sameer Reddy’s cinematography captures the festive vibrant colors of the Telugu heartland, presenting Chiranjeevi in a very flattering, youthful light.

Verdict

Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is exactly what it promised to be: a loud, colorful, and joyous Sankranthi party. It is a one-man show where logic is indeed “not invited,” but entertainment is present in abundance. For the Mega fans, it’s a feast; for the general audience, it’s a harmless, fun-filled family outing that captures the true spirit of the festival.