Manasuku Nachindi review: A disappointing debut

Cast: Sundeep Kishan, Amyra Dastur, Tridha Chowdhary, Nasser, Sanjay Swaroop and others

Director: Manjula Ghattamaneni

Manjula Ghattamaneni, the sister of superstar Mahesh Babu, makes her directorial debut with the film Manasuku Nachindi. Starring Sundeep Kishan in the lead role, the film also marks Amyra Dastur’s Telugu debut.

Suraj (Sundeep Kishan) and Nithya (Amyra Dastur) run away just before they are to get married. They reach Goa along with their friends, stay in a guesthouse and decide to go their own ways. 

Nithya is a nature lover and starts yoga and meditation classes in Goa, while Suraj takes up photography. He falls in love with Nikki (Tridha Chowdhary), who joins Nithya’s yoga class. Meanwhile, Abhay (Adit), the owner of the guesthouse, likes Nithya and tries to impress her. Nithya however, is not comfortable when she sees Suraj and Nikki moving closely together. She realises that she actually likes Suraj and from here onwards, it’s a predictable story.

Prior to the film’s release, Manjula had said that anyone who doesn’t like the film would be ‘waste’ and also heartless. Seems that though she was confident about her film, she got it wrong onscreen. She concentrates so much on nature that the story takes a backseat. The rest of the narration is an outdated and regular romantic drama. 

Without a proper story or emotions, director Manjula concentrates only on waterfalls, greenery and yoga classes, making Manasuku Nachindi feel more like a yoga class on television. Cinematographer Ravi Yadav however, manages to capture the beauty of nature with his camera. 

Sundeep Kishan as Suraj does his best, but is hampered by the way his character is designed. Amyra Dastur seems to be good only at taking yoga classes. Tridha Chowdhary is also beautiful and that’s it. There are no emotions from any of the actors and not a single scene appeals.  Manjula’s husband Swaroop makes a brief appearance. The cinematography is the only saving grace, but doesn’t help the film from sinking.

Manasuku Nachindi is nowhere close to the heart and ends up being a big bore. Despite being a part of the industry from many years, the film clearly shows Manjula’s immaturity as a director and one certainly hopes she would have learnt the basics of direction for her next film.