Teja Sajja returns to the fantasy adventure genre with Mirai, a visually spectacular mythology-meets-superhero film that released worldwide on September 12, 2025. Directed by cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Karthik Gattamneni, the film presents an ambitious blend of ancient Indian mythology and modern superhero storytelling.
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The Divine Story Behind Emperor Ashoka’s Sacred Books
The narrative spans centuries, beginning with Emperor Ashoka concealing the secrets of immortality within nine sacred books, entrusting them to his most devoted guardians. In the year 2000, Ambica (Shriya Saran) sacrifices her life to stop the ruthless Mahaveer, also known as The Black Sword (Manchu Manoj), from claiming these powerful texts. Her orphaned son Vedha Prajapathi (Teja Sajja) grows up unaware of his destiny until the monks send Vibha (Ritika Nayak) to find him. Only Vedha holds the key to reaching Mirai, the final and most powerful book capable of stopping Mahaveer’s unstoppable rise.
Teja Sajja Shines in Career-Defining Performance
Following his massive success with HanuMan, Teja Sajja delivers another magnetic performance that proves he is not a one-hit wonder. He embraces the Yodha-inspired protagonist with impressive conviction, appearing more mature and confident compared to his earlier work. The actor seamlessly adapts to his character’s dual shades – charming as a carefree youngster in the first half and transforming into a determined force once he realizes his destiny. His screen presence and ability to carry the film on his shoulders makes this a notable step forward in his career.
Manchu Manoj’s Menacing Return as The Antagonist
Manchu Manoj makes a powerful impression as Mahaveer Lama, The Black Sword. His fiery eyes, commanding voice, and impactful dialogue delivery create a perfect antagonist. Unlike some of his previous performances, Manoj avoids melodrama here, allowing his character to remain impactful and menacing throughout. His comeback as the main villain could prove significant for his career trajectory.
Technical Brilliance on a Modest Budget
The film’s technical aspects deserve special recognition, particularly considering the modest Rs 50 crore budget. Gowra Hari’s thunderous musical score powers the film with relentless energy, with his background music consistently enhancing the atmosphere. Karthik Gattamneni’s cinematography delivers stunning visuals that balance grandeur with intimacy. The VFX, impressively achieved on a reasonable budget, delivers spectacle that rivals bigger productions.
Strong Supporting Cast Delivers Emotional Depth
Shriya Saran stands out with a surprisingly committed performance as the mother, eschewing glamour to deliver one of her best portrayals in recent times. She adds emotional depth and gravitas that elevates crucial moments. Ritika Nayak brings a fresh and charming presence as the sanyasini Vibha, though her role could have been written with more weight.
Mythological Elements Meet Modern Storytelling
Mirai successfully blends superhero elements with Indian mythology and history in a believable manner. The film incorporates references to the Ramayana, enriching its superhero narrative with cultural and historical depth. From the Siddha Kshetram showdown to the spectacular Sampati bird sequence, the film delivers multiple breathtaking moments that justify the big-screen experience.
Box Office Success and Record-Breaking OTT Deal
The film has already secured financial success through a massive Rs 40 crore OTT deal with Jio Hotstar, covering 90% of its production costs. Theatrical rights were sold for Rs 37 crore in Telugu states, with the film needing to earn at least Rs 34 crore to break even. Early advance bookings exceeded expectations, with over 100,000 tickets sold on BookMyShow and crossing the $200,000 mark in North American premiere pre-sales.
Minor Drawbacks in Pacing and Comedy
While the first half maintains strong momentum with intrigue and grand visuals, the second half experiences some pacing issues. The comedy track featuring directors Venkatesh Maha and Kishore Tirumala as policemen feels misplaced and disrupts the serious flow. Some portions of the screenplay could feel stretched, and heavy mythological references may confuse casual viewers.
The Verdict: A Spectacular Visual Experience
Mirai represents an ambitious attempt to create an epic universe that seamlessly blends mythological grandeur with modern storytelling. Despite some predictability in the second half, the film’s spectacular visuals, strong performances, and imaginative storytelling make it a worthwhile theatrical experience. The film serves as a case study for other big-ticket productions, proving that impressive visual spectacle can be achieved on reasonable budgets.
Critics have praised the film with ratings ranging from 3/5 to 4.5/5, with many calling it a thrilling fantasy adventure that fans of mythology and epic storytelling cannot afford to miss. The film’s success reinforces Teja Sajja’s position as a leading actor in the fantasy genre and establishes Karthik Gattamneni as a director capable of handling large-scale productions.
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