Manam - manam Telugu movie review

Manam (మనం) which means "we", in telugu, is a movie made with all heart and passion. I can support my statement with the example of a scene..

Bittu (played by Nagarjuna), is a rich, well educated person but an orphan longing for his parents since he lost them in a tragic car accident. He watches the birthday video recorded by his parents during his last birthday celebration with both of them.  On a chance encounter, he meets his dad(played by Naga Chaitanya), look alike during a plane journey.   The little boy in him overpowers his manners and even though it creates a lot of annoyance to the college going look alike dad, he wants to capture a photo and saviour the moment. This brings more and more laughs from the audience but the nuance and wish of that little boy are captured well here. i am talking about the scene where bittu, sets out to find his mother. He searches everywhere, and the moment he finds her after a long wait, (mother, played well by Samantha), the expression on Bittu's face is very well captured. This heart warming scene performed very sincerely and beautifully by Nagarjuna is the crux of the film.  Scenes like these make you watch the film and fill your heart with joy. Film is laced with these of type moments ...

What is life, Life is nothing but a moment of joy and next, a moment of sarrow.  A wish of Happy ending and a grit of survival. We all love, connect and loose, but all wish if we can chance an encounter or meet those we lost once, at least catch a glimpse of them in our life-time.  Manam is a story that solely based on this human ambition, what if, that wish is fulfilled? what if we meet our love ones as someone else , as new beings(in their next birth)? How will we try to connect to them? How will we attach with them? Will they accept us? What if, destiny, tries to play the same spoil sport with atmost cruelty again? Well watch the film and find out your answers.. 

Performances by Nagarjuna, Samantha and ANR, stand-out in the film. Mainly, Bittu played by Nagarjuna helps you connect with the story and the emotions of the little boy longing for his parents. He portrays the second variation as a Jamindar, with equal ease and proves to be the acclaimed actor he is. Samantha comes as a surprise with her matured portrayal and wins our hearts. ANR is a legend and will always be a master. Naga Chaitanya, played the matured character well but couldn't handle the college boy well. Ali, Brahmanandam were not required but they made their presence felt in the least they were offered.

Direction and Screen-play by Vikram Kumar are the true winners of this film. He managed to deliver a complex story with a simple screen-play with out confusing the viewer and letting them enjoy the proceedings rather straining their heads out to understand the concept. His vision and deft-handling of the emotions makes you watch the film with a small smile and an tear. Cinematography by P.S Vinod is a visual delight. Dialogues by Harshavardhan are simple yet effective. Music and BGM by Anup Rubens are good enough could have been better though. 

I highly recommend this film just for it's emotional value and a sad rarity, that is, a strong concept oriented telugu film. Watch it, enjoy it and experience it. 

P.S:  I won't say there are no flaws but I may have tend to over look them as this is a rare film..

Manam Theatrical Trailer.. !