Movie: Srinivasa Mangapuram
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Chandamama Kathalu Pictures, Vyjayanthi Movies
Cast: Jai Krishna Ghattamaneni, Rasha Thadani, Mohan Babu, Vasuki, Shyam, VK Naresh, Brahmaji, Ajay, and others
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar
DOP: Jayakrishna Gummadi
Editor: Madhav Kumar Gullapalli
Production Designer: Sahi Suresh
Producer: P. Kiran
Written and Directed by: Ajay Bhupathi
Release Date: July 30, 2026
Jai Krishna Ghattamaneni, nephew of Mahesh Babu, and Rasha Thadani, daughter of Raveena Tandon, are making their debut with this film, and it has generated excitement for that reason. Ajay Bhupathi, who earlier made “RX100,” is also hoping to stage a strong comeback.
Let’s find out the merits and demerits of this love story.
Story
Sreenu (Jai Krishna) comes to Tirupati and notices that Manga (Rasha Thadani), daughter of Peddi Reddy, seems to be interested in him. He follows her and eventually befriends her. Despite her engagement to another man, Sreenu proposes to her.
Manga’s aunt Vara (Vasuki) arrives in Tirupati from Bellary, spots Sreenu’s photos on Manga’s phone, and approaches him, asking him to stay away from her. However, he tells Vara that he actually came to Tirupati from Bellary only for Manga.
Who actually is Sreenu, and what is his connection with Manga? What is his motive for coming to Tirupati?
Performances
Jai Krishna looks okay in his debut. Appearance-wise, he has the looks, and in certain angles he resembles a young Mahesh Babu. However, the young actor from the Ghattamaneni family still has a long way to go before settling into acting. This project is not the ideal launch for him. Yet, he has done a decent job for a newcomer.
Rasha Thadani is not new to acting, having already appeared in a Bollywood film. But in her Telugu debut, she is just okay. Like Jai Krishna, she too needs to hone her acting skills.
Mohan Babu, playing Jai Krishna’s grandfather, is just okay. For an actor of his stature, the role is poorly written and clumsy. The characterization is extremely weak.
Shyam, as Rasha’s father, performs in a routine manner. Vasuki is okay in her brief role. VK Naresh and Brahmaji’s roles are clear examples of how outdated Ajay Bhupathi’s ideas have become.
Technical Aspects
Gummadi Jayakrishna has presented Tirupati and its surrounding areas in a different manner, unlike what we have seen in Telugu cinema before. The cinematography is one of the film’s plus points.
GV Prakash Kumar delivers two good songs, but for a love story, especially one starring debutants, the music should have been much catchier, something on the lines of “RX100.” That is a major minus.
The biggest drawback of the film is the writing, both the dialogues and screenplay. The editing is no better.
Highlights
Few moments after the interval bang
Two songs
Drawbacks
Formulaic story and narration
The twist, seen in many earlier films, hardly works
Ajay Bhupathi’s poor direction and screenplay
Entire first half and the formulaic climax
Analysis
“Srinivasa Mangapuram” is designed as the launch vehicle for Jai Krishna, grandson of late superstar Krishna and nephew of Mahesh Babu. Ajay Bhupathi, who earlier directed the youthful romantic drama “RX100,” seemed the right choice on paper to launch Jai Krishna and present him to Gen Z audiences. But the film proves all those expectations wrong.
The entire first half of the film shocks us, not because of its twist, but because of the dull manner in which it is presented. At several points, we begin to wonder whether the film was really directed by Ajay Bhupathi. From the hero’s introduction to his interactions with Rasha Thadani, his one-sided love story, and even the interval bang, everything unfolds in a predictable and lifeless manner.
Even the “Gunde Pelipothunde” song fails to lift the proceedings. The film begins to hold our attention only after the interval, when the heroine narrates the flashback. That 15-minute stretch works reasonably well. But the twist itself is hardly surprising. From “Saiyaara” to “Padi Padi Leche Manasu,” many recent romantic dramas have explored similar ideas.
So, when the twist finally arrives, we are left wondering whether all the buildup was merely for this. Such is the formulaic writing from Bhupathi. The only new element he adds to this overused twist is setting the story against the backdrop of Tirupati and portraying the holy town as being filled with factionists and violence.
Mohan Babu’s character does not appear at all in the first half. He enters only in the second half, but his role as Venkatappa Naidu is far from impactful. With its déjà vu writing and stale narrative, the film ultimately turns into a huge disappointment.
Normally, one expects memorable romance between the lead pair in their debut films. But Ajay Bhupathi fails to create any such memorable romantic moments or bring any freshness to their love story.
All in all, “Srinivasa Mangapuram” is not only a badly made film but also fails in its mission of giving Jai Krishna a strong debut and introducing Rasha Thadani impressively to Telugu cinema. In the end, it turns out to be a disappointing effort from Ajay Bhupathi.
Bottom Line: Wasted Effort
