Maa Inti Bangaram - Bapu Bommaku Pellanta

Maa Inti Bangaram

Telugu, 2026

Genre: Crime Comedy

Director: B V Nandini Reddy

Stars: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Manjusha Makavilli, Gulshan Deviah, Diganth Manchale

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sattiraju Lakshminarayan, aka Bapu, was a legendary writer, director, producer and painter whose movies were the trademark of cinema in the 70s through the 90s. Inspired by the Ramayana, Bapu's movies had female-centric topics and plots, something which is rare in the dystopian heroism of today. Much like Hitchcock, Bapu held deep admiration for his female actors, which led to his famous series of paintings called the Bapu Bomma collection. Included in the set are such greats as Savitri, K R Vijaya, and B Saroja. 

I think the late great Bapu would have agreed with Director Nandini Reddy that Samantha can restart the series. Maa Inti Bangaram is a crime comedy, but it is also a fitting tribute to the era of cinema for which Bapu is well known.  Set in what we can assume is the mid 80s (look for the boom box and fax machine), the movie begins with the humble entry of a daughter-in-law into what was her husband's estranged family. The trials and tribulations of every new bride is brought to fore, with the music of Bapu's Muthyalu Muggu setting the tone for the expectations of the family. What to say for the bride's desperation in trying to outdo the others in being accepted?

For that, Swarna brings in her best friend, Kiranmayi, and together they engage in misadventures reminiscent of Lucy and Ethel.  Ms. Manjusha is relatively new to the film industry, but her comic timing is impeccable. Her nonverbal expressions and self effacing attitude add to the laugh out loud moments. 

But, not all is frivolous, for you see...for Swarna...''in oru pēr irikku.'' To bring this side out is the role of the Karuna. Mr. Deviah could easily replace, if not supersede Prakash Raj's archetype of the befuddled and lecherous gangster who is out to wreak havoc. 

The interweaving of humor, family drama, and action is seamless, a very rare occurrence in Tollywood films of today. But Samantha takes center stage, giving us a believable and likable young woman whose past has caught up. She has lost some weight and put on a couple of years,  but her acting, along with that contagious smile, makes us know that one of our favorite actresses is back in action. 

I have always been a big fan of Nandini Reddy and her movies, as I have Ms. Samantha's. Bringing the two together raises the bar. Hoping others will follow.