Sarkaru Vaari Paata

Sarkaru Vaari Paata A Mass Masala Entertainer Powered by Mahesh Babu’s Style

Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022), directed by Parasuram Petla, is a classic Telugu commercial action drama with romance, comedy, punch-heavy fights, and a message about loan defaults and financial wrongdoing. The film stars Mahesh Babu with Keerthy Suresh and Samuthirakani, with supporting roles from Vennela Kishore, Subbaraju, and others. It was produced by Mythri Movie Makers, 14 Reels Plus, and G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. Released on May 12, 2022, it became one of the biggest post-pandemic theatrical wins for Telugu cinema.

Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)

The story follows Mahi (Mahesh Babu), a smart and successful money lender who runs a finance business in the USA. A painful childhoodshapeds him; his family suffered because agricultural loans weren’t repaid, and the fallout changed his life. That past pushes Mahi to become someone who takes debt repayment seriously and doesn’t let it slide.

Things take a turn when he meets Kalaavathi (Keerthy Suresh), a lively young woman with a taste for gambling. She tricks him and walks away with a large amount of money. Mahi heads to India, landing in Visakhapatnam, where he learns her father (Samuthirakani) is a powerful politician and a willful defaulter with huge bank dues. From there, Mahi goes after his money and calls out a system where influential people dodge repayments, while regular people end up paying the price.

The film taps into common anger around bank loan scams, willful defaulters, and the ties between politics and money, all presented in a commercial package.

Performances

Mahesh Babu is the main reason the film works. He’s back in full mass mode and brings energy, charm, and confidence to every scene. He handles action, comedy, and emotion with ease. Whether he’s dancing, delivering punch dialogues, or taking over in fight scenes, he holds the screen. This movie plays like a full-on Mahesh Babu vehicle, and his presence keeps it moving.

Keerthy Suresh adds spark as Kalaavathi. She brings a fun vibe, good expressions, and glamour to the love track. Her scenes with Mahesh land well during the lighter parts, even if the romance sticks to familiar beats.

Samuthirakani fits the role of a powerful villain, but the character feels basic and doesn’t get much depth. Vennela Kishore brings some laughs, though a few comedy portions feel standard.

Direction and Screenplay

Parasuram, who previously scored with Geetha Govindam, shifts into big commercial territory here. The first half is fairly engaging, with comedy, romance, twists, and a strong interval. The second half slows down, repeats ideas, and leans too much on speeches.

The screenplay sticks to a predictable masala format, hero elevations, songs, fights, and a big climax. Some parts also stretch logic. The message about loan defaults starts off well, but later it gets simplified and turns preachy. The film keeps switching between fun entertainment and serious messaging, and it doesn’t fully balance the two.

Technical Aspects

S. Thaman’s music is a major plus. Songs like “Kalaavathi”, “Ma Ma Mahesha”, “Penny”, and the title track became popular and boosted the film’s buzz. The background score supports the mass moments, though it’s not as strong in quieter scenes.

R. Madhi’s cinematography looks polished, especially in the overseas portions and action setups. The production values feel rich, with bright frames and grand staging. The action choreography delivers the expected high-voltage style, but a few fights feel over-the-top and old-school.

The editing does the job, but the runtime (about 162 minutes) feels long, and tighter cuts could have improved the flow.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Mahesh Babu’s charisma and screen presence
• Hit songs and solid dance numbers
• A timely theme about financial injustice and loan fraud
• An entertaining first half with comedy and romance
• Strong box-office run (around ₹180-190 crores worldwide, ending up as a semi-hit)

Weaknesses:

• A familiar, formula-driven story
• A weaker second half with too many speeches
• Repetitive action and uneven tone
• A villain who feels underwritten
• Some dated romance tropes (like repeatedly following the heroine)

Overall Verdict

Sarkaru Vaari Paata is a typical Telugu masala entertainer that clicks mainly because of Mahesh Babu and the catchy soundtrack. It raises a relevant issue, but it sticks to routine commercial beats instead of sharper storytelling. If you enjoy mass moments, songs, and hero-centric scenes, you’ll likely have a good time. If you want a tighter plot and stronger writing, it may feel uneven and a bit preachy.

Watch it for Mahesh Babu in a vintage mass avatar and for the foot-tapping tracks.

iBomma Rating: 2.75/5
A decent commercial film that leans more on star power than fresh writing.

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