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Review: Karthi’s Sardar 2 – Underwhelming Sequel That Misses the Mark

by 123telugu

Movie Name : Sardar 2

Release Date : September 10, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Karthi, Malavika Mohanan, S. J. Suryah, Ashika Ranganath, Yogi Babu, Rajisha Vijayan, and Others
Director : P. S. Mithran
Producers : S. Lakshman Kumar
Music Director : Sam C.S
Cinematographer : George C. Williams
Editor : Vijay Velukutty

Related Links : Trailer

Karthi has come up with Sardar 2, the sequel to his hit film Sardar. The spy action thriller directed by PS Mithran is now out in cinemas. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

The entire film revolves around Operation Doku, which has the capability to destroy the nation. India somehow manages to soften its impact, but Black Dagger (SJ Suryah) brings it back into use, posing a huge threat. How Sardar (Karthi), Vijay Prakash (Karthi), and other RAW agents try to stop Operation Doku, and what it actually means, forms the crux of the story.

Plus points:

Like every other film of his, Karthi delivers an impressive performance in Sardar 2 as well. He once again rocks the show both as a father and son. His performance in some emotional moments is pretty good.

The message that the film tries to deliver is very much relevant in today’s world. Sardar 2 talks about the over usage of antibiotics, and a few dialogues that come in this regard are meaningful. Ashika, Malavika, and SJ Suryah are fine in their roles.

Minus Points:

What made the first film work is its gripping narration, well-timed mass moments, and a solid social message. What Sardar 2 lacks is a taut screenplay. There are some interesting ideas, but they aren’t effectively presented.

The makers decided to amp up the scale and budget, but in doing so, they didn’t pay enough attention to the narrative. The approach isn’t grounded this time, the tension is missing in the proceedings, and there are some over-the-top moments that work against the film big time.

In the second half, there is a fun sequence featuring SJ Suryah, Yogi Babu, and Nizhalgal Ravi. The director might have included it to give a fun touch to the film. Not only does it look out of place, but it also makes us wonder how people with such little knowledge are appointed as RAW agents.

A few episodes along those lines look highly unconvincing and take away from the seriousness of the premise. The second half is lengthy, monotonous, and barely offers any thrills.

Technical Aspects:

Sam CS did just an okay job. The background score could have been much better. Cinematography by George Williams is neat, and some moments are well-shot. The production values are solid, while the editing could have done away with a few scenes.

PS Mithran’s intention to deliver a social message about the usage of antibiotics is good, but his execution isn’t strong this time. The film doesn’t deviate from the core plot, but it offers very little in terms of engagement. Sardar 2’s premise needed gripping storytelling to click.

Verdict:

On the whole, Sardar 2 is an underwhelming follow-up to Sardar, with only a few scenes working in its favor. The film features a relevant social message, but the narration lacks the spark needed for the film to reach its potential. Karthi is good in his role, but the lack of a compelling screenplay, lengthy runtime, unconvincing episodes, and dull moments make it a below-par watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Mandaadi – Promising premise, uneven execution

by 123telugu

Movie Name : Mandaadi

Release Date : September 10, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Soori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj and Others
Director : Pugazhendhi Mathimaran
Producer : Elred Kumar
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : S. R. Kathiir
Editor : Pradeep E. Ragav

Related Links : Trailer

Mandaadi is the latest Tamil drama to blend competitive sport with raw human emotion. Tamil actor Soori and Telugu actor Suhas play the primary roles in this film, which released in cinemas today. Here is an overview of how this coastal rivalry fares on the big screen.

Story:

Twenty years ago, Muthukaali (Soori) and Sattapuli (Suhas) from Kalingapatnam were thick friends and skilled traditional boat sailors. A bitter fallout shatters their bond, turning the companions into lifelong adversaries who dominate opposite sides of the village. The core narrative traces why Muthukaali abandoned the sport, the roots of Sattapuli’s local hegemony, and the high-stakes boat race that forces them to clash again.

Plus Points:

Tamil cinema explores yet another rural drama grounded in gritty realism. The lives of traditional seafaring communities and their rugged lifestyle are depicted with refreshing authenticity. Furthermore, competitive boat sailing is a rare theme on the big screen, making the sports aspect an immediate asset.

Soori has been making bold acting choices lately, and accepting this nuanced script is easily among his finest decisions. His performance is admirably subtle, allowing heavy emotional restraint and quiet presence to carry the weight. His silence throughout several crucial stretches proves far more impactful than lengthy dialogues.

Suhas proves to be an equally compelling counterpart in an intense antagonist role. Stepping into a menacing gray character is a sharp addition to his versatile filmography. His commanding vocal delivery and fiery screen presence make Sattapuli a magnetic figure to watch.

The psychological friction and war of words between the leads generate solid dramatic tension. The narrative gathers steady momentum through a well-staged exposition, peaking with a gripping pre-interval stretch and an interesting climax. Backed by solid action choreography and an energetic musical score, supporting performances from Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, and Ravindra Vijay anchor the narrative.

Minus Points:

Despite several strong technical and dramatic elements, the narrative falters noticeably during the middle act. While the first half moves with purpose, the second half succumbs to formulaic predictability. The scenes advance on familiar genre beats, gradually dampening the viewing momentum.

The hostility between Soori and Suhas is well-established, yet the writing fails to dig deep into their fractured emotional history. Exploring their lost camaraderie with more emotional depth in the later portions would have lent greater weight to the final showdown. Without that emotional resonance, some of the high-stakes drama feels superficial.

While the boat-racing sequences are neatly mounted, injecting a few more clever narrative twists would have made the competition far more electrifying. In addition, Sathyaraj’s character feels visibly underutilised despite his steady presence in a brief role. A tighter edit and richer secondary conflicts could have elevated these undercooked sequences.

Technical Aspects:

Director and writer Mathimaran Pugazhendhi takes a commendable creative swing with an unconventional sporting backdrop. He succeeds in staging the central rivalry, though his writing falters when sustaining intrigue across the latter half. A tighter, more inventive screenplay could have transformed a decent drama into an exceptional one.

The technical crew provides sturdy support to keep the coastal atmosphere vivid. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score infuses raw momentum into the aquatic action, while SR Kathir’s camera work captures the rugged seascape handsomely. Pradeep E. Ragav’s editing is largely functional despite a few lingering scenes, and the Telugu localisation team ensures seamless dubbing that retains the film’s regional flavour.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mandaadi works in parts, blending a traditional water sport with a clash of pride and ego. Committed performances from Soori and Suhas, energetic boat-racing episodes, and a thunderous score work in its favour. However, the film struggles to maintain the same impact throughout, with a predictable second half and uneven writing holding it back. Some stretches manage to engage, but the film never quite comes together as a consistently compelling watch. Go with expectations in check if you consider watching it.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Mirzapur The Movie – A Massy Big-Screen Ride

by 123telugu

Movie Name : Mirzapur The Movie

Release Date : September 04, 2026

123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5

Starring : Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Ravi Kishan And others
Director : Gurmmeet Singh
Producers : Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Music Director : John Stewart Eduri
Cinematographer : Sanjay Kapoor
Editor : Manan Ashwin Mehta

Related Links : Trailer

The highly successful Mirzapur web series has now been made into a film titled Mirzapur: The Movie. Amidst solid hype, the gangster action drama hit the big screens today. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

Mirzapur: The Movie explores power politics and betrayals. Akhandanand Tripathi, a.k.a. Kaleen Bhaiyya (Pankaj Tripathi), is the King of Mirzapur. He doesn’t believe in his son, Phoolchand Tripathi, a.k.a. Munna Bhaiyya (Divyenndu), and hence places the responsibility on brothers, Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Bablu Pandit (Jitendra Kumar), to look after his empire. Hence, Munna Bhaiyya doesn’t like Guddu and Bablu, but a common enemy, Babban Yadav (Ravi Kishan), a Jaisalmer-based businessman, unites them to protect their kingdom.

Plus Points:

Mirzapur is not just another series. The show enjoys a mammoth following from North to South. When Mirzapur: The Movie was announced, it not only intrigued the fans but also took the general audience by surprise as to what it would have in store. For those wondering if Mirzapur: The Movie is worth watching, don’t have any second thoughts and get your tickets booked. The feature film is a fine upgrade from the OTT space with enough fireworks.

The big-screen translation has been seamlessly done. The essence of the series is neatly retained, while the makers have also peppered the film with elements necessary for a big-screen experience. Dialogues and humor have always been the biggest strengths of the Mirzapur series, and the film delivers well in these aspects, making the conversations enjoyable. The pre-climax and climax portions will offer plenty of goosebumps.

The face-off scenes are brilliantly designed, and the action sequences will make the masses go gaga. The battle for the Mirzapur throne, betrayals, and emotions have been neatly balanced. The humor is sprinkled at regular intervals, taking the entertainment quotient a few notches higher. There are a couple of post-credit scenes, and the final one takes the impact to the next level, with humor infused throughout the sequence.

It is indeed an experiment to take a web show to the big screen, and the team has passed the job with distinction. Pankaj Tripathi delivers a solid performance as the King of Mirzapur. His restrained yet impactful performance makes us adore him. Ali Fazal flexes his muscles and stuns in the key action segments. Everyone’s favorite Munna Bhaiyya, played by Divyendu, does a phenomenal job. His attitude, swag, and strong language will bring the roof down.

Jitendra Kumar has replaced Vikrant Massey as Bablu Pandit, and he does a neat job. Ravi Kishan is menacing as the main antagonist. Sonal Chauhan provides the necessary glamor quotient. Abhishek Banerjee, Shaji Choudhary, Sheeba Chaddha, and Rasika Dugal are fine in their roles. Satendra Soni as Puncture Chandu provides some laughs.

Minus Points:

Initially, the movie begins on a slow note, and it takes some time for the film to find its rhythm. There are slow moments in the first half, and the editing team could have done a better job.

The biggest drawback of Mirzapur: The Movie is the limited scope and screen time for the female leads. Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shweta Tripathi, and Harshita Gaur are restricted to the background for the most part, and the writing team could have designed better characterizations for them, like those in the series.

Technical Aspects:

The Telugu dubbing quality is first-class. The voices that made the characters so special among fans have once again been used for the film. Songs are decent, while John Stewart Eduri’s background score is electrifying. Several moments are elevated by the score. Sanjay Kapoor’s cinematography is splendid, and he gives the film a cinematic feel with his lenses. The production values are stupendous, and the action choreography is elegant and stylish.

The editing needed some improvement. Coming to director Gurmeet Singh, he makes a good impact with Mirzapur: The Movie. The second half is more impactful than the first half. Episodes like the car race scene, Pankaj Tripathi’s gang confronting Ravi Kishan, and the post-credit scenes enrich the overall experience.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mirzapur: The Movie is an engrossing gangster action drama that successfully brings the beloved world of Mirzapur to the big screen. Strong performances from the lead cast, powerful dialogues, humor, intense face-offs, and a massy second half with theatrical moments make it a good watch. The initial portions are a bit slow, and the female leads deserved more screen time. However, given its crowd-pleasing moments and strong brand value, Mirzapur: The Movie is likely to work with the majority and emerge as a box-office winner.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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