Story
After Emperor Ashoka's victory in the Kalinga war, he is believed to have sealed all his power within nine sacred books. He entrusted these books to eight warriors from different parts of the world and one revered saint. These guardians have protected the books for centuries. But now, Mahabir Lama, backed by a powerful tantric force, is on a mission to retrieve them. With only two books left to be taken from the warriors and one final book held by the saint, Mahabir is close to achieving his goal.

Ambika (Shriya Saran), a woman who foresaw the future, sacrificed her life to ensure her newborn son would one day rise to stop Mahabir. Twenty-four years later, the sadhvi (Ritika Nayak) arrives in Hyderabad in search of Veda (Teja Sajja), a carefree young man who survives by conning people. The rest of the story follows Veda's journey as he discovers his true identity - not just an ordinary man, but a destined savior - and how he rises to confront Mahabir and fulfill his purpose to protect the world.

Artists Performance

Teja Sajja fits the role perfectly as a carefree yet sharp youngster who rises to the challenge when destiny calls. As Vedha who becomes Yodha, he brings an endearing mix of innocence and inner strength that suits the superhero arc beautifully. Mirai once again proves his sharp script sense following Hanuman.

Manoj Manchu is terrific as the menacing Black Sword - an antagonist with a dark mission and a perspective of his own. He looks effortlessly stylish and delivers a compelling performance. His dialogue delivery, reminiscent of Mohan Babu’s gravitas but with a refined edge, adds weight to the character. He’s truly an asset to the film.

Ritika Nayak impresses as Sadhvi Vibha, bringing grace, wisdom, and serenity to her role. Shriya Saran delivers a standout performance as the saint, protector, and mother - a role unlike anything she’s done before, and she pulls it off with remarkable ease. Jagapathi Babu is striking as the first warrior with mastery over Tantra, while Jayaram is excellent as Saint Agastya, the mentor who trains and guides Vedha. Getup Sreenu provides laughs as the hero’s sidekick with his meme-style quirks, and Babloo Mayaa brings freshness as ‘Map,’ a key character in Vedha’s journey. Kishore Tirumala delivers a partly entertaining performance as a timid cop, while Venkatesh Maha does a commendable job in his role.

Rebel Star Prabhas lends his voice to the story of King Ashoka, adding gravitas to the graphic-driven narration. Rana Daggubati makes a powerful appearance, setting the stage as the antagonist for the next chapter in the Mirai franchise.

Story - screenplay - direction: Karthik Gattamneni crafts a story that is intricately layered and deeply engaging. Drawing from Itihasa elements, he skillfully blends fantasy, mythology, and superhero fiction to create a world that feels both ancient and modern. The concept of the nine sacred books, warriors and saints, Lord Rama’s legacy, the powerful Mirai weapon, the mythical bird Sampati, and the intriguing characters of Ambika and Black Sword all add richness and originality to the narrative.

The screenplay is excellently structured, revealing key elements at regular intervals, keeping the audience invested throughout. Karthik not only pens an ambitious story but also executes it with finesse. The way he gradually unfolds the conflict and introduces each character’s role in the larger scheme is particularly impressive. His ability to merge mythology with the contemporary world adds depth and scale to the storytelling.

Some of the standout sequences include the Black Sword’s sound weapon battle in Morocco, Vedha’s transformative interaction with Sampati before the interval, and his eventual rise as Yodha while discovering the true power of Mirai. Karthik also ensures that every technical department - from cinematography to VFX - is used to enhance the visual storytelling seamlessly.

On the downside, the police subplot involving Kishore Tirumala and Venkatesh Maha doesn’t quite land. Also, given how fascinating the Sampati concept is, one wishes for more screen time and deeper interaction between Yodha and Sampati in the second half. The story becomes somewhat predictable once the train sequence begins in the climax. Still, with Mirai, Karthik Gattamneni - already known for his work as a cinematographer - proves his mettle as a visionary and successful director.

Other departments: Gowra Hari’s music is exceptional, elevating key moments with precision and emotion. The standout for me is the “Magadha Rudhira” background score - it leaves a lasting impact. Though not featured in the film, “Vibe Vundile” ranks among the best party tracks in recent times.

Karthik Gattamneni, who also directed the film, delivers stunning cinematography. Personally, I was particularly impressed by his use of sunflares in select scenes - they add a beautiful cinematic touch. As the cinematographer, he ensured the VFX blended seamlessly with the visuals, making the experience immersive. The VFX, handled in-house by PMF, stands out as a major highlight alongside the BGM. Produced on a reasonable budget, the output is flawless and on par with Hollywood standards.

Sri Nagendra Tangala’s production design is top-notch - his choice of locations and set pieces deserves major appreciation. Editing by Sreekar Prasad is clean, while Manibabu Karanam’s dialogues are sharp and impactful. The production values by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad are grand and impressive. It’s truly remarkable that a film of such ambitious scale and visual richness was made within a ₹60 crore budget.

Analysis: Mirai delivers both in ambition and execution. The film’s strengths lie in its compelling story, well-structured screenplay, grand visual scale, top-notch VFX, impactful background score, and well-chosen cast. On the downside, the climax could have packed a bit more thrill.

With Mirai, People Media Factory makes a bold statement about what it's capable of producing at scale. Karthik Gattamneni establishes himself as a solid filmmaker, while Teja Sajja continues his superhero streak with confidence. Manoj Manchu makes a powerful comeback, leaving a strong impression.

All in all, Mirai offers a rich and immersive cinematic experience - one that definitely deserves to be witnessed on the big screen.