Looking for a lighthearted rom-com with family drama? Mazaka, released on February 26, 2025, promises to deliver just that. Directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina and written by Prasanna Kumar Bezawada, the film has a father and son falling in love at the same time which leads to some messy family complications.
With a good cast including Sundeep Kishan, Ritu Varma and Rao Ramesh and production by AK Entertainments, Hasya Movies and Zee Studios, Mazaka had a lot of expectations. But does it deliver the entertaining ride? Let’s get into the review.
Mazaka (2025) at a Glance
Genre:
Romantic Comedy, Family Drama
Director:
Trinadha Rao Nakkina
Writer:
Prasanna Kumar Bezawada
Producers:
Anil Sunkara, Ramabrahmam Sunkara, Razesh Danda, Umesh KR Bansal
Lead Cast:
Sundeep Kishan, Ritu Varma, Rao Ramesh, Anshu
Supporting Cast:
Murali Sharma, Hyper Aadi, Srinivas Reddy, Raghu Babu
Music:
Leon James
Cinematography:
Nizar Shafi
Editing:
Chota K Prasad
Release Date:
February 26, 2025
Language:
Telugu
Plot Summary: A Unique Premise with Mixed Execution
Mazaka is about Venkata Ramana (Rao Ramesh) a middle class employee and his son Krishna (Sundeep Kishan) living in a household without a female presence. Ramana wants Krishna to get married to complete their family but Krishna struggles to find a bride – no one wants to send their daughter into a motherless household.
Just when Krishna falls in love with Meera (Ritu Varma) fate throws in a twist – Ramana himself falls in love with Yashoda (Anshu). Their happiness is short lived when they discover Meera and Yashoda are relatives and family opposes them.
The core idea of the story is new and has a lot of scope for comedy and emotions. But the execution is a let down. The first half is funny the second half drags the story down.
Performances: The Saving Grace
The performances in Mazaka are its strongest point:
✅ Sundeep Kishan fills Krishna with energy and charm, specifically with his comedic timing and connection with Rao Ramesh.
✅ Rao Ramesh is perhaps the best element of the film, easily shifting between a loving father and a man finding love again: it's hilarious and endearing.
✅ Ritu Varma & Anshu play their roles well, though I do feel their characters could have received greater development.
✅ Murali Sharma, Hyper Aadi, and Srinivas Reddy provide more comedic energy: I will say that of the three Murali Sharma appears to use his limited time on screen the most.
Direction & Screenplay: A Story of Two Halves
Trinadha Rao Nakkina, who has previously delivered hits such as Dhamaka and Nenu Local, provides an enjoyable first half of Mazaka yet struggles during the second half with forced and clichéd emotional drama.
✍️ Prasanna Kumar Bezawada's screenplay starts well, but fails to maintain a consistent pace. The comedy prompts plenty of engagement from the audience in the first half, but wanes into the second as the emotional beats do not land as effectively as they could.
A more disciplined approach to the screenplay could have elevated Mazaka to a keeper of a rollercoaster ride on hormonal overload.
Music & Background Score: A Weak Link
🎵 Leon James' soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impact. While the background score works well in enhancing certain moments, the songs themselves are forgettable. A stronger musical presence could have added more depth to key emotional scenes.
Cinematography & Editing: Visually Appealing but Unevenly Paced
📽️ Nizar Shafi's cinematography showcases Visakhapatnam wonderfully, providing a pleasurable visual experience to the film. The locales along with the color grading contribute to the film's visuals.
✂️ The editing by Chota K Prasad is uneven. The first half is well-paced, but the second half, as it progresses, slowly feels repetitive. The experience could have gotten a boost if the unnecessary parts had simply added up to 30% shorter.
What Works & What Doesn’t
✅ What Works:
✔️ Strong Performances: Sundeep Kishan and Rao Ramesh deliver standout performances, making their chemistry the film’s highlight.
✔️ Engaging First Half: The initial setup, comedy, and interactions keep the audience entertained.
✔️ Unique Premise: A fresh concept that blends romance and family drama in an interesting way.
❌ What Doesn’t:
❌ Weak Second Half: The film loses its grip post-interval, making it feel stretched.
❌ Inconsistent Writing: The screenplay doesn’t maintain its initial charm, affecting the overall impact.
❌ Forgettable Music: The soundtrack fails to elevate the storytelling.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Mazaka?
Mazaka starts off well, with well-written comic writing and solid performances. The film fails to find its footing in the underwhelming second half and lack of cleaner storytelling, which prevents what could've been a really fun film from becoming memorable. If you're interested in a fun, lighthearted entertainer and enjoy good performances, it's worth watching once.
⭐ Rating: 3/5
Have you watched Mazaka? What did you think of the film? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
