Sarileru Neekevvaru: A Full-on Entertainer Powered by Mahesh Babu A Hero’s Homecoming

Telugu cinema has a knack for mixing loud action with strong family feelings. Directed by Anil Ravipudi and led by “Superstar” Mahesh Babu, Sarileru Neekevvaru (meaning “Nobody can match you”) leans hard into that style. Released in 2020, it stacks patriotism, comedy, fights, and a social angle into one big commercial entertainer.

The Story: From the Border to Kurnool

Mahesh Babu plays Major Ajay Krishna, an officer in the Indian Army’s Para Special Forces. He’s disciplined and fearless, but he also carries a quick wit and a sharp tongue. During a rescue mission, another soldier named Ajay gets badly hurt. Major Ajay heads to the soldier’s home in Kurnool to pass along important information to the family.

Once he arrives, the film pivots. The family is under pressure from Nagendra (Prakash Raj), a powerful and corrupt minister. From here, the plot shifts into a familiar mass-action setup. The hero steps in, takes on local corruption, and shields a family that has no real way to fight back.

Mahesh Babu: The Movie’s Main Strength

Mahesh Babu is the clear center of Sarileru Neekevvaru. After more serious roles in Maharshi and Bharat Ane Nenu, many fans wanted to see him loosen up again.

He does. As Major Ajay, he mixes soldier-like control with playful humor. His line delivery lands well, and he sells the crowd-pleasing “mass” moments with ease. Whether he’s facing a group of goons or stepping into a high-energy song, he keeps the screen locked on him.

Comedy: Loud, Uneven, Sometimes Great

Anil Ravipudi’s humor is big and noisy, and this film follows that pattern. Much of the comedy comes from the female lead, Samskruthi (Rashmika Mandanna), plus her quirky family during a long train stretch.

• The train portion: A big chunk of the first half happens on a train. The “He is so cute” gag and Samskruthi’s over-the-top behavior will work for some viewers, but it can start to feel repetitive.
• Side characters: Performers like Bandla Ganesh and Vennela Kishore add well-timed laughs. Their scenes help keep the first half light before the story turns more serious.

Quick Facts: Cast and Crew

Visuals, Action, and Music

The movie looks glossy and high-budget. The opening in Kashmir is shot with care and scale, giving the early scenes a grounded military feel. The fight scenes are staged to make the hero look larger than life, with plenty of slow-motion and dramatic camera moves.

Songs and background score:
Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) delivers music that matches the film’s commercial tone.

• “Mind Block”: A crowd-friendly number with rare, high-energy dance from Mahesh Babu.
• “Sarileru Neekevvaru Anthem”: A patriotic track built to boost the hero’s image.
• Score: The background music lifts the action, though it gets very loud at points, which fits this style.

Vijayashanthi’s Comeback

One of the biggest talking points was Vijayashanthi returning after 13 years away from the screen. She plays Bharathi, a medical professor and the injured soldier’s mother.

Her presence adds calm and credibility. Her scenes with Mahesh Babu feel more grounded than the film’s louder stretches. Bharathi isn’t written as helpless; she stands for integrity and justice, and that gives the story its emotional anchor.

What the Film Wants to Say

Under all the comedy and action, the movie draws a line between soldiers protecting the border and citizens protecting society at home. Major Ajay often calls out the contrast: soldiers risk their lives, while corruption eats away at the country from within.

This idea comes through in a few long speeches. Some may find them heavy, but they give the hero a clear moral purpose and connect well with the target audience.

Prakash Raj as the Villain

Prakash Raj plays Nagendra, another in his long line of crooked politician roles. He performs with confidence, but the character feels familiar. At times, he comes off more like a comic threat than a truly scary one, which keeps the film’s tone light even when the stakes rise.

What Works and What Doesn’t

What works:

• Mahesh Babu’s performance: He looks relaxed and fully in control.
• Action set pieces: The fights are staged for maximum crowd impact.
• Emotional pull: Vijayashanthi’s scenes bring heart and respect.

What doesn’t:

• Runtime: At close to three hours, it drags at times, mostly during the extended train comedy.
• Logic gaps: Some stunts and turns need you to go along without overthinking.
• Female lead’s role: Samskruthi is mainly used for comedy and has little impact on the main conflict.

Final Take: A Fan-Friendly Masala Entertainer

Sarileru Neekevvaru isn’t trying to be subtle. It’s a bright, noisy masala film built to please a wide crowd. It delivers hero moments, punchy dialogue, catchy songs, and a clean good-versus-evil setup.

Mahesh Babu fans will likely have a great time. If you enjoy Telugu commercial action movies with big emotions and patriotic flavor, this one checks those boxes.

Final Thought: The plot sticks to a familiar track, but Mahesh Babu’s charm, Vijayashanthi’s weight, and the polished production make the ride enjoyable.

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