Movie: Maya Petika
Star Cast: Viraj Ashwin, Simrat Kaur, Payal Rajput, and others
Director: Ramesh Raparthy
Producer: Magunta Sarath Chandra Reddy
Music: Guna Balasubramanian
Run Time: 2h 22m
Release: 30 Jun 2023
Moviemanthra.com;Rating: 3/5
Mayapetika is an engaging Telugu-language comedy-drama directed by Ramesh Raparthi. With a talented ensemble cast including Viraj Ashwin, Simrat Kaur, Payal Rajput, Rajath Raghav, Sunil, Prudhvi Raj, Srinivas Reddy, Himaja, Shyamala, Jagadeesh Prathap, and others, the film promises an entertaining experience. The music by Guna Balasubramanian and production by Magunta Sarath Chandra Reddy & Tharaknath Bommi Reddy under the Just Ordinary Entertainments banner add to the film’s charm.
Story:
The story revolves around the journey of a mobile phone, connecting people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Each person acquires a smartphone at different stages of their life, leading to a series of captivating experiences. Viewers will witness how these individuals travel and how this mobile device influences their lives. The rest of the story is about how the mobile has affected their lives.
Performances:
The on-screen performances are commendable, with Srinivas Reddy standing out among the actors. His portrayal of a transgender character with dual variations is refreshing and convincing. He effortlessly navigates between humorous and emotional scenes, leaving a lasting impression. Sunil and Shyamala deliver relatable and funny performances, reminiscent of the popular TikTok couple Durga Rao and his wife, Ratnam. Payal Rajput captivates audiences with her glamorous on-screen presence, and her solo song is stylishly shot. Other actors, including Viraj Ashwin, Simrat Kaur, Prudhvi Raj, Himaja, Jagadeesh Prathap, and Rajath Raghav, deliver decent performances in their stories.
Review:
Behind the scenes, Ramesh Raparthi’s storytelling offers a good concept highlighting smartphones’ significance in our modern lives. While the screenplay is well-executed, the emotional depth of the individual stories could have been explored further. Tirumala Nag’s dialogues are sharp, and some of the emotional lines in Srinivas Reddy’s track are beautifully written.
Director Ramesh Raparthi presents the interconnected stories effectively, showcasing his skills. While depicting human drama from a mobile phone’s perspective is a strong draw for audiences, the cinematography by Suresh Ragutu stands out as a major asset. Particularly, the shots during the climax are brilliantly captured.
The songs composed by Guna Balasubramanian may not be memorable, but the background score adds to the overall experience. The crisp editing by D. Venkata Prabhu and Naveen Vijay Krishna and the high production values from Just Ordinary Entertainments elevate the film despite its small-budget origins.
Plus Points:
Performances
Comedy
First Half & Second Half
Cinematography
Minus Points:
Few lags
Verdict:
Mayapetika is an anthology of six interconnected short stories centered around a mobile phone. While Sunil and Srinivas Reddy’s track shines, the film meets the expectations. Nevertheless, it is worth trying once it becomes available for streaming online.
Punch Line: Maya Petika shines big with a good message
