Mirai Review: Teja Sajja shines, Manchu Manoj stuns, a theatrical treat at its best

Mirai Review: Teja Sajja's film is an epic mix of action, VFX, and emotion. The fantasy drama is a visual spectacle blending mythology and modern heroism perfectly

Mirai Movie Review

Mirai Story

After the devastating Kalinga war, King Ashoka seals his nine mystical powers into nine sacred books. Each book is entrusted to a loyal warrior, whose family guarded it for generations. In 2000, Black Sword(Manchu Manoj) sets out to steal all nine books to gain immortality. He succeeds in collecting eight, but one still eludes him. This missing scripture has a connection to an orphan named Vedha (Teja Sajja). Why does Vibha (Ritika Nayak) believe Vedha alone can stop Black Sword? What is the mystery of Mirai?. To know the answers, watch the film only on the big screen.

Mirai Review

Mirai has been written and directed by Karthik Ghattamaneni, who last made the action drama Eagle with Ravi Teja. Though the film flopped, everyone praised Karthik's work. Well, Karthik did not get bogged down but dreamt of something so out of the box that it ended up in Mirai. Right from the day the film was announced, Mirai created only good vibes and shocked everyone with its great visuals.

Well, the hype is worth the wait as Mirai is one of the best films to have come out of Telugu cinema in recent times. Be it the scale, execution, casting, performances, or visual grandeur, Mirai has it all and is a solid big-screen experience.

When it comes to big-screen storytelling about ancient history and Indian mythology, Telugu cinema has been a step ahead, and once again, Karthik Ghattamaneni proves that with such a limited budget, one can make a film that looks rich and filled with astonishing visuals.

The world of Mirai, especially the VFX, is one of the best in recent times and takes you into a world that has never been seen before. If Teja Sajja's HanuMan was a devotional mystic ride, Mirai is an ambitious tale of a homegrown superhero narrated in a mind-blowing premise.

Though the film has its fair share of issues with pacing, several standout moments are jaw-dropping. The entire twenty-minute episode just before the interval is astonishing, and the VFX created is top-notch. The entire credit should go to director Karthik for achieving such an output with just Rs 50 crore.

Karthik scores heavily in scenes where Vedha's identity is revealed and in the appearance of Lord Rama, all of which are executed stunningly. If the credit for Mirai's success goes to Karthik Ghattamaneni, the unsung hero of the film is Gowra Hari’s music and background score. He lifts the fantasy drama to the next level with his thumping score. The themes he composes for both Teja Sajja and Manchu Manoj give the audience goosebump moments.

When it comes to action, the choreography is neat, and one never feels that the action blocks are over the top, even though the main lead has superpowers. Things have been kept realistic and in sync with the contemporary world. There are so many references to Indian mythology, and these scenes are elevated superbly by the amazing camerawork in the film.

On the other hand, Mirai strikes hard because of the manner in which Indian mythology is blended so well with the current scenario and relatable characters that strike a chord. There is no denying the fact that Mirai is a big-screen experience, and Karthik, being the cameraman himself, has delivered the best output. The way he has utilized VFX with his shot-making is the best part of Mirai.

Having said all this, there are also a few issues with Mirai. The pace of the film dips a bit in the first half. After establishing the story on a thumping note, the director adds a few comedy scenes that do not gel with the narrative. Ritika Nayak plays the female lead, Vibha. Though she is an integral part of the story, her character is underwritten and does not get enough screen space.

Coming to performances, Teja Sajja once again delivers a seasoned act. Many had doubts about him playing roles that are beyond his age and emotional depth. But he is a perfect fit for Mirai and shines in the film, be it the action, screen presence, or standing tall in front of a heavyweight actor like Manchu Manoj. With this film, his success will surely reach the next level.

Talking about Ritika Nayak, she does well within her limitations and suits her role. Shriya Saran is the surprise package of the film and gets a meaty role. For the first time, we see her in such an impactful character, and Shriya stuns with her emotional avatar. The rest of the cast, like Jagapathi Babu and Jayaram, get decent roles and perform well.

Manchu Manoj makes a comeback to films after a long gap, and he is solid as the main villain. Generally, he goes a bit overboard and performs in a loud manner in his films, but in Mirai, his performance is toned down, sharp, and lethal. Manoj proves once again what a force he can become if he plans his career well.

Mirai runs close to three hours, and one feels that about ten minutes could have been trimmed. Several comedy scenes and character introductions are dragged for no reason. The production design needs a special mention as the props, costumes, and sets are solid and make the film look rich for the most part.

The entire VFX team also deserves praise as the graphics, created in Hyderabad, are outstanding. Mirai is a visual wonder for the money spent, and the audience will get their ticket’s worth watching it on the big screen. The lyrics, background score, and the chorus used in several action episodes elevate the film further. Box-office-wise, Mirai will do great numbers, and Teja Sajja once again proves that he is not a one-film wonder.

Once again, Telugu cinema proves that there is talent that can make ambitious films if backed properly by the makers. Director Karthik Ghattamaneni has been around for a long time, but he comes into his own with Mirai. His film will be talked about for days to come and is one product that the entire family can watch on the big screen, as the visuals, drama, action, and emotions are top-notch and leave you in awe.

Mirai Verdict

On the whole, Mirai is one of the best Telugu films in recent times. With breathtaking visuals, powerful action, and a seamless blend of mythology and modern storytelling, it offers a spectacular experience for the audience. Be it the scale, emotions, and cinematic grandeur, the film has it all. Teja Sajja and Manchu Manoj deliver career-best performances that add depth to the narrative. Backed by a top-notch background score and stunning VFX, Mirai is a visual extravaganza that truly commands a big-screen watch.

Also Read: Manchu Manoj Interview: Mirai is proof that times have changed for heroes and villains

FAQs

Q. When is Teja Sajja's Mirai releasing?

A. Teja Sajja's Mirai has releasedin theatres on September 12, 2025.

Q. What is Teja Sajja's next film?

A. Teja Sajja plays the lead in his next film, Mirai. Manchu Manoj plays the main villain.

Q. What is Mirai about?

A. Mirai is about a common man who gets to become the chosen one and must save the world from evil hands.

Q. Where to stream Mirai on OTT?

A. Mirai can be streamed on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium after its theatrical run.

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