Sri Simha Koduri and Satya in director Ritesh Rana’s ‘Mathu Vadalara 2’
The 2019 Telugu comedy thriller Mathu Vadalara has won a loyal fan base thanks to its quirky writing and unexpected twists. In the sequel Mathu Vadalara 2 director Ritesh Rana continues the story with two of the original characters, Babu (played by Sri Simha Koduri) and Yesu (portrayed by Satya).
This time the duo has transitioned from their roles as delivery agents to become investigation officers in a fictional High Emergency (HE) team. Watching this comedy requires a willing suspension of disbelief, as it combines a mix of goofy, silly and spoofy humor.
Although the film’s entertainment value can diminish over time and the script lacks the sharpness of its predecessor Satya’s effortlessly engaging performance keeps the laughs coming. Despite its shortcomings his comedic prowess ensures that the film remains a riotous experience for audiences.
Ritesh Rana is clearly aware of the strong fan base that Mathu Vadalara has built. In the sequel, he thoughtfully includes numerous callbacks to the original film. For example the sequel opens with a no-smoking disclaimer voiced by the elderly woman from the first movie, only to be humorously interrupted by another voice asserting that she isn’t part of this sequel.
Ajay and Vennela Kishore make returns albeit in different roles. Rana, who co-writes the sequel with R Teja uses these familiar faces to satirize both the film industry and societal trends.
One character is portrayed as a ‘toxic abbayi’ (toxic guy), while another is depicted as the ‘youth star’ Yuva, whose fans are humorously dubbed Yuveniles akin to juveniles. The film also features a scene with a production titled ‘Moron’ and another where a character sports an ‘Animal’ t-shirt.
These elements serve as a not-so-subtle commentary on the mob mentality of fans and the often absurd nature of celebrity culture. Through these references and satirical elements the film critiques societal and industry norms while providing humor and familiarity for its audience.
The main focus of Mathu Vadalara 2 is on Babu and Yesu, who remain fixated on their quest for quick cash. They exploit loopholes in the kidnap cases they work on, managing to pocket substantial amounts of money in the process.
In the first half hour the film introduces the members of the High Emergency (HE) team: Michael (Sunil), Saxena (Raja Chembolu), Nidhi (Faria Abdullah) and their leader Deepa (Rohini). This introduction is marked by ‘meta’ references, adding a playful touch to the narrative.
For example Michael is humorously described as looking like comedian Sunil in a villainous role and to emphasize his undercover status he wears a bright canary yellow raincoat (cover). These early scenes effectively set the tone for the film’s comedic style establishing the playful and self-aware humor that continues throughout the movie.
Several elements in Mathu Vadalara 2 will feel familiar to fans of the first film. The sequel reintroduces some of the original’s quirks, such as the recurring confusion over floor and apartment numbers and the use of an all-purpose knife for breaking into homes.
The phrase ‘rest in peace’ once again makes an appearance following a character’s death. Kaala Bhairava’s music retains a few distinctive notes from the original and the characters even reference a sense of déjà vu, seemingly anticipating that viewers might recognize these recurring elements.
This time around, Suresh Sarangam’s cinematography adopts darker tones to match the HE team’s serious and thriller-oriented atmosphere. Additionally the film continues to include nods to Chiranjeevi’s blockbuster films and the peculiar television serial from the first movie using these references as narrative markers at crucial moments.
The central plot revolves around a kidnap investigation that goes awry, but the real amusement lies in the build-up to these chaotic events and the predicaments faced by the characters rather than the eventual resolution of the mystery.
The film’s humor is significantly driven by playful spelling errors (such as the misspelling of Lake View Lodge) and Satya’s amusing misinterpretations of common idioms and phrases. One memorable example is the line don’t book a judge by its cover showcasing the film’s whimsical and comedic style.
Mathu Vadalara 2 is firmly anchored by Satya’s standout performance with strong support from Simha Koduri, Faria Abdullah, Vennela Kishore, Ajay, Sunil and Raja Chembolu.
Plus Points :
The film’s standout asset is Satya, who impresses with his exceptional comedic timing and memorable performance. His interactions with Sri Simha Koduri are particularly engaging and his imitation of Megastar Chiranjeevi’s gestures and dance moves is a highlight for fans.
Sri Simha Koduri continues to excel in his role while Faria Abdullah makes a solid contribution. Sunil delivers a competent performance and the rest of the cast effectively supports the film.
Additionally Vennela Kishore adds a charming touch with his humorous dialogues and accurate mimicry of popular figures, enhancing the overall appeal of the movie.
Minus Points :
From the beginning Ritesh Rana makes it clear that comedy takes precedence over the storyline. Although Satya’s humor is enjoyable a more compelling narrative might have increased the film’s overall engagement.
The plot follows a formulaic and predictable pattern and some actors are underutilized. Sunil in particular does not fully realize his comedic potential leaving his role feeling lackluster.
Additionally certain dialogues and scenes miss their intended impact. The film would have benefitted from more inventive ideas to better captivate the audience and enhance its appeal.
Technical Aspects :
Ritesh Rana’s direction and writing are solid but fall short of his best work. A more compelling story alongside Satya’s comedy could have created a better balance.
The film benefits from competent cinematography by Suresh Sarangam, editing by Karthika Srinivas and music by Kaala Bhairava. All these elements contribute positively to the overall production. The production values are also noteworthy adding to the film’s quality.
Verdict :
Overall Mathu Vadalara 2 is a crime comedy that stands out mainly because of Satya’s impressive comedic timing and expressions. While some scenes are genuinely funny others miss the mark. The predictable plot is a drawback.
If you enjoy Satya’s humor and expressions the film is entertaining. However it feels less fresh compared to its predecessor but still offers enough laughs to be considered decent.