BOTTOM LINE
Hatha Vidhi
RATING
1.75/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 20m
What Is the Film About?
The crux of Sarangapani Jathakam revolves around Saranga (played by Priyadarshi), a firm believer in astrology since childhood. The story follows what happens when he gets engaged to Maithili (Roopa Koduvayur), his love, and how astrology complicates their relationship. Ultimately, the story centers on how Saranga comes to realize the impact of his superstitions and breaks free from them.
Performances
Priyadarshi plays the lead role of Saranga, shouldering the entire script from start to finish. On a high level, the script is a perfect match for him. It doesn’t require proven actors or those carrying any baggage or established image, which makes him a great fit. However, the actor needs to create a certain level of likability through his performance. This is where Priyadarshi partially succeeds. It doesn’t mean he spoils anything, but this is an area where improvement is needed. As a growing actor, Priyadarshi manages to partially succeed in this aspect.
Roopa Koduvayur plays the female lead in the film. Although her role is crucial to the story, the screen time and overall length of the role feel minimal due to the way it’s written. As an actor, she does okay, but there is significant room for improvement in terms of screen presence and styling.
Analysis
Sarangapani Jathakam is written and directed by Mohanakrishna Indraganti. At a high level, he takes a simple, concept-based script that heavily relies on fresh presentation and, most importantly, new-age writing. These two elements are crucial for the film to work, but unfortunately, the director and writer fall short on both fronts.
The film opens by briefly establishing the protagonist’s blind faith in astrology, setting the right tone. Adding a murder twist to this superstition injects a fun angle into the story. The plot doesn’t need to be entirely convincing, nor does it require strict logic. As long as the humor is fresh and consistent, it should work. Unfortunately, the biggest issue lies in the outdated ideas and weak writing.
Take, for example, the “Bamma comedy block” in the first half. A sequence like this should bring the house down with laughter, but instead, we get an ordinary and outdated set of jokes that adds nothing to the film.
There are several moments that show just how out-of-touch the ideas are. For instance, the “Simon Darknet” plan involving a perfume is a complete misfire. The entire sequence feels like a waste of creative resources and simply doesn’t belong in a 2025 film. These types of outdated ideas throughout the film highlight the director’s failure to recognize the importance of fresh, contemporary writing.
Even the supporting cast—meant to elevate the film—are completely sidelined, including senior actor Naresh, who is given almost nothing to do. The blame lies squarely on the writing and the dated concepts behind it.
The second half devolves into a never-ending, soap opera-style stretch set in a Vizag hotel. The same issues persist—tired writing, flat execution, and a lack of energy. The film never picks up momentum, and the ending, which should’ve landed with impact, ends up feeling extremely silly and unsatisfying.
In the end, the blame falls solely on Mohanakrishna Indraganti. He picked a concept with potential as a new-age story, but his outdated writing and stale presentation cause it to fall completely flat.
Overall, Sarangapani Jathakam could have been a no-logic, all-magic humor film, or a humor film with a nice emotional angle at the end. Instead, we get tiring and outdated humor that feels more at home on television.
Performances by Others Actors
Sarangapani Jathakam features a few well-known cast starting with the senior and talented actor Naresh—who is terribly wasted. He doesn’t get a single scene that allows the director to tap into his potential for comedy or emotion. This is a clear failure on both the director’s and the writer’s part for underutilizing such a talented actor. Surprisingly, his screen time is also very, very limited.
In a film like this, where the supporting cast needs to deliver in a big way, their lack of impact becomes a major setback—and it’s clearly evident here.
Actors like Vennela Kishore, Viva Harsha, Avasarala Srinivas, Tanikella Bharani, and others merely play their parts without making any positive impression. Again, the blame lies with the writing.
Among the supporting cast, the only character that manages to get some attention is the father, Vadlamani Srinivas. While he doesn’t have a strongly written role, his performance stands out compared to the rest.
Music and Other Departments?
Vivek Sagar composed the music for the film, but his songs are outright disappointing. Even the situational tracks fail to add value when viewed within the context of the full-length feature. As for the background score, there’s one recurring tune that works to an extent, but overall, his work is disappointing.
Cinematography by PG Vinda is fairly decent for a concept-based, low-budget film like this. Visually, the film looks decent. Editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh leaves much to be desired. The first half feels excessively long, and even in the second half, the hotel portions could have used tighter editing. This may also stem from the director’s choices and the writing itself.
Production values by Sridevi Movies are quite decent for a small-scale film.
Highlights?
Occasional fun scenes
Drawbacks?
Utterly dated writing
Outdated ideas for generating humor
Most of the second half
Weak leading ideas and an unsatisfying conclusion
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
Definitely not.
Sarangapani Jathakam Movie Review by M9
U.S. Premiere Report:
Sarangapani Jathakam feels like it was shot in Dwaparayugam and edited in Kaliyugam. Stay tuned for the full M9 review.
— Sarangapani Jathakam opens with Saranga (Priyadarshi) expressing his deep-rooted belief in astrology, a faith he has held since childhood. Stay tuned for the report.
Director Mohana Krishna Indraganti is back with Sarangapani Jathakam after the disappointment of Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali in 2022. Stay tuned for the Sarangapani Jathakam movie review and USA premiere report.
Cast: Priyadarshi, Roopa Koduvayur, Naresh, Tanikella Bharani, Avasarala Srinivas, Vennela Kishore, Viva Harsha and others.
Writer, Director: Mohanakrishna Indraganti
Producer: Sivalenka Krishna Prasad
Co Producer: Chinta GopalaKrishna Reddy
Director of Photography: PG Vinda
Music Director: Vivek Sagar
Editor: Marthand K Venkatesh
U.S. Distributor: V Cinemas
Sarangapani Jathakam Movie Review by M9
