Recently, many people have been talking about man-child protagonists in Indian movies however, this is taken to a whole new level by Sharwanand’s latest film Manamey. The main character of the movie, Vikram (Sharwanand), can be described as a typical man-child who lacks real responsibility and is happy with that. We are told he is studying higher education in London but instead we see him as an extravagant casanova whose life consists of drinking and hitting on girls daily until a friend goes through a tragic event making him take care for two years old child.
Fortunately director Sriram Adittya chooses to tell the story in a light-hearted way. Although Vikram may be our hero most of laughs during first half come from making fun at his foolish behavior rather than sharing them with him. After including short flashback showing his softer side director stages scenes so that Vikram appears as an odd person out. When Khushi (Master Vikram) two year old girl reaches her hand towards Vikram for first time ever he looks at love bewilderedly than being overwhelmed by it because many times failure has taught him what responsibility means.
This point of conflict resolves too quickly once it does there are no problems left since Manamey stays pleasant and entertaining mostly thanks to playful approach made by Sriram Adittya in first half. It’s an ordinary tale with common structure but still good part of emotions seen through these episodes are funny rather than sad which makes them work well together with each other. Director also shows some liveliness when it comes down to using camera moves or color scheme. Bright colors especially used on clothes worn by Vikram keep cheerful atmosphere alive while more importantly proceedings themselves have quite musical vibe thus giving this movie smooth flow Hesham Abdul Wahab delivers inspiring score creating different theme for every scene where Vikram along Subhadra (Krithi Shetty) adjust themselves into new life.
Although there are few misses throughout first half an hour: such as Sharwanand fighting bunch of goons at underground parking lot or that one friend who always comes with evil tune playing behind but Sriram knows how to bring out emotional aspect from time to time. For instance when Khushi goes back to London looks around house for parents’ touch only they had passed away few days back. At his age he wouldn’t understand what death means neither can it affect him directly though people around do feel so there is something poetic happening in this scene and actor doesn’t even have say much words. Those are some moments in Manamey which manage touch your heart deeply. Nevertheless Manamey fails trying work love story.
The moment this film commences dealing with the romantic subplot, it stops focusing on Vikram’s connection with Khushi. In addition to that, its second half follows a commonly used template. Various characters appear too similar to prototypes as Vikram grows more overt and desperate in his efforts to win Subhadra’s love; an aged bohemian couple which offers the main character golden advice, a boyfriend who is nice at first but suddenly becomes caricaturish and so on. Still Manamey ensures that you are engaged through these formulaic tropes rather than concentrating on its narrative’s emotional core even as Sriram Adittya struggles to come up with a genuine conflict. There are some silly contrivances in the second half like a toilet scene with Karthik (Shiva Kandukuri wasted in a trivial role).
However, it is the emotionally empty relationship between Subhadra and Vikram that does the most damage. At some point during the movie, she makes a decision which might jeopardize her upcoming wedding. For once we see hope flicker seeing such a female protagonist in Telugu cinema who is not afraid of societal prejudices. But unfortunately for us later discoveries reveal that Subhadra’s character arc ends up being the most unexplored one in Manamey.
Vikram becomes earnest in his life choices obviously for winning over Subhadra but we never get to know how her feelings towards him as they journey together taking care of Khushi develop from indifference. So when it happens so fast that she goes from not caring about him at all to warming upto his good side, it sounds fake. This part needed an actor who could have played around with these things well enough but Krithi Shetty falls short of doing justice here despite having pleasant screen presence.
Sharwanand however holds his own ground playing Vikram & he has done justice to it throughout this film though still there were areas where he could have done better especially in terms of comedy timing. While interacting closely with parents whom he has been distant from for years, there is a scene where Vikram wonders what kind of strength does a parent need to let their child go and live alone. The question is succeeded by an emotional conversation between him and his parents who reconcile with each other as Khushi reunites with them through Vikram’s effort.
There are some beautiful moments in Manamey about the idea of chosen family. Additionally, there is also a potentially touching story of two young people redefining love for themselves. But both these tender ideas get buried under a half-baked movie that does justice to none. Even so, it is difficult to write off Manamey entirely due to its lively nature coupled with feel good atmosphere which have become rare things in movies today.
For More Movies Visit Putlocker.