Cast: Teja Sajja, Ritika Nayak, Manchu Manoj, Shreya Saran, Jagapathi babu
Director: Karthik Gattamneni
Music: Gowra Hari
Genre: Fantasy thriller
Release Date: 12th September 2025
Runtime: 2hr 49mins
After the massive success of HanuMan, expectations were naturally high on Teja Sajja’s next movie. Directed by Karthik Ghattamaneni and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad under People Media Factory, the film faced multiple delays before finally hitting theaters. Did the film live up to the hype? Let’s find out.
Story
Mirai revolves around the idea of nine powerful books that hold secrets capable of changing the world. These books are hidden in different parts of the world and are guarded by protectors with special powers. Mahaveer Lama (Manchu Manoj), a ruthless man, starts his mission to capture all of them, and his eyes are set on the ninth book which grants immortality.
Ambika (Shriya Saran), the guardian of the ninth book, realizes the danger ahead and raises her son Ved (Teja Sajja) as a weapon to fight against Lama. But Ved grows up away from his mother, not knowing his true identity. How Ved learns about his destiny, transforms into a warrior, and faces the powerful Lama to protect the ninth book forms the main plot of Mirai.
Performance
Teja Sajja, despite carrying the film on his shoulders, comes across as immature in several crucial scenes. His emotional depth doesn’t quite land. Manchu Manoj, expected to be a powerful antagonist, sadly loses his charm and fails to create the needed impact.
Ritika Nayak has little to do, while Jagapathi Babu and others remain underutilized. The only true standout is Shriya Saran, her performance as Ambika is dignified, strong, and convincing, making her the best part of the cast.
Anayalsis
The film begins with promise. The mythological backdrop and concept of the nine sacred books immediately draw attention. The opening sequences set the stage well, and the initial world-building looks convincing. However, once the hero’s introduction happens, the momentum dips drastically. The entry of Ved (Teja Sajja) is underwhelming, and the film momentarily loses grip.
Things improve as the story progresses, with the eagle sequence turning out to be a major highlight. The visuals in this episode, combined with the action design, give audiences the feel of watching something grand. The interval block, too, is well-executed and leaves viewers expecting a thrilling second half. Up to this point, Mirai manages to stay engaging.
But the problem begins once the second half kicks in. The lengthy flashback portions slow down the narrative considerably. Instead of enhancing the storyline, they test the patience of the audience. The screenplay, which was relatively tight in the first half, becomes loose and meandering in the latter half. As the movie heads toward the climax, the pace becomes frustratingly slow, stretching scenes far beyond necessity. At one point, the audience is left wondering when the film will finally end.
The climax itself, instead of delivering a powerful emotional punch or an adrenaline rush, ends up dragging without impact. To make matters worse, the so-called “sequel reveal” feels completely forced. Rather than exciting viewers about a continuation, it leaves them confused and disappointed, as if the makers weren’t sure about their own vision.
Technically, the film scores better. Karthik Ghattamaneni impresses as a cinematographer, ensuring each frame looks grand. The VFX work is commendable and some sequences, particularly action scenes, come out well on the big screen. The background score also fits the mood. However, these technical strengths are overshadowed by weak writing and inconsistent pacing.
Positives
Strong concept
Visual grandeur
Negatives
Weak screenplay in the second half
Overstretched climax
Verdict
Mirai had the potential to be a thrilling mythological fantasy, but poor execution, weak performances, and a dragging second half let it down. The film offers a few memorable visuals and moments, but overall, it struggles to hold attention and ends up as an average experience.
Rating:2.5/5
