Movie: Mirai
Rating: 3/5
Banner: People Media Factory
Cast: Teja Sajja, Manoj Manchu, Ritika Nayak, Shriya Saran, Jayaram, Jagapathi Babu, Getup Srinu, Tirumala Kishore, Venkatesh Maha and others
Music: Gowra Hari
DOP: Karthik Gattamneni
Editor: Sreekar Prasad
Production Designer: Srinagendra Tangala
Producer: T.G. Vishwa Prasad, Krithi Prasad
Written and Directed by: Karthik Gattamneni
Release Date: September 12, 2025
After “Hanu Man”, Teja Sajja has acted in another super hero film and it has generated a lot of hype.
Let’s find out if this film reaches hype and expectations.
Story:
Centuries ago, Emperor Ashoka concealed the secret of immortality within nine sacred books, entrusting them to his most devoted guardians.
In the year 2000, Ambica (Shriya Saran) vows to stop the ruthless Mahaveer (Manchu Manoj) from claiming these powerful texts. In a desperate bid, she sacrifices both her life and her child to protect the legacy.
Her child, Vedha Prajapathi (Teja Sajja), grows up as an orphan, moving across cities and now living in Hyderabad.
When the monks learn that Mahaveer has already seized six of the sacred books, they send Vibha (Ritika Nayak) to find Vedha. Only he holds the key to reaching Mirai, the final and most powerful book, capable of stopping Mahaveer’s unstoppable rise.
How will Vibha convince Vedha to embrace his destiny? And will Vedha rise to confront the formidable Mahaveer and protect the world from unimaginable power?
Artistes’ Performances:
Teja Sajja embraces the Yodha-inspired protagonist with impressive conviction. He fits the role well, bringing a grounded and relatable quality to the character. Compared to his earlier work in Hanu Man, Teja appears more mature and confident in his performance, showing greater ease in carrying a hero-centric role. This marks a notable step forward in his career.
Ritika Nayak plays a sanyasini, offering a fresh and charming presence. Though the film avoids typical romantic subplots or songs between her and Teja, they share a decent on-screen chemistry that works subtly in their favor.
Shriya Saran stands out with a surprisingly committed performance as the mother. Eschewing glamour, she delivers one of her best portrayals in recent times, adding emotional depth and gravitas to the narrative.
Manchu Manoj embraces the antagonist’s role with measured restraint. Unlike some of his previous performances, he avoids melodrama here, allowing his character Mahaveer to remain impactful and menacing throughout.
Among the supporting cast, Jayaram is ok as Agasthya. However, Getup Srinu’s comedy falls flat and fails to add any meaningful humor.
Kishore Tirumala’s track feels unnecessary, and his acting lacks finesse. Venkatesh Maha’s subplot is routine and fails to leave an impression.
Technical Excellence:
Gowra Hari’s musical score proves to be a standout asset. His background music consistently enhances the atmosphere, lending energy and emotion to key sequences.
Cinematography by Karthik Gattamneni is visually stunning. The camera work, combined with seamless VFX, elevates Mirai far above typical commercial fare, delivering a sleek, immersive experience.
Editing by Sreekar Prasad falls a bit short, especially in the second half. Some scenes tend to drag. The later portions are dull due to near 3-hour runtime. Production design and values, helmed by People Media Factory, are exemplary.
Highlights:
First half
Grand visuals
Background score
Shriya’s mother angle
Drawback:
Dips narration at many places
Turns predictable in the second half
'Vibe' song missing
Analysis
Mirai seamlessly blends superhero elements with Indian mythology and history in a believable and engaging manner. Spanning from Emperor Ashoka’s era to the present day, the film incorporates references to the Ramayana, enriching its superhero narrative with cultural and historical depth.
The story moves at a brisk pace, connecting events and timelines without unnecessary diversions, while maintaining a coherent flow throughout. From the very first scene, the film establishes a gripping tone that draws the audience into the mysterious and larger-than-life world of Mirai.
Although Teja Sajja’s character enters relatively late, his introduction and subsequent sequences are well-integrated into the main narrative. The first half offers a strong dose of intrigue, entertainment, and grand visuals, keeping viewers thoroughly engaged.
The film clearly explains the connection between history, mythology, and fantasy, allowing the audience to follow the story with ease. Performances by Shriya Saran, Manchu Manoj, and Teja Sajja are convincing, adding to the strong impact of the first half.
The buildup culminates in a major reveal involving Sampathi, the mythical bird from the Ramayana. While the sequence bears shades of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, the integration with the Ramayana is handled effectively, supported by impressive visual effects that enhance the spectacle.
By the interval, the film successfully raises expectations and builds anticipation. However, maintaining that momentum proves challenging in the second half. While sequences involving Jayaram and Teja Sajja remain compelling, the narrative loses steam after the entry of Jagapathi Babu’s character. The plot begins to feel repetitive and increasingly predictable, with the climax unfolding along expected lines.
Even with the introduction of Rama’s character, the second half lacks the intensity needed to elevate the story further. Still, Mirai delivers an engaging cinematic experience, particularly for audiences seeking a fusion of mythology, fantasy, and superhero action.
All said and done, it is truly commendable that a film of this scale has been made on a very reasonable budget of just Rs 50 crore. It can even serve as a case study for other big-ticket films.
Overall, Mirai entertains with its consistent pace, strong performances, and technical finesse. Despite the predictability of the second half, the film’s spectacular visuals and imaginative storytelling make it a worthwhile theatrical experience — a true visual spectacle that blends mythology and fantasy.
Bottom-line: Worth the Ticket