Manada Kadalu : Movie doesn’t ‘Rain ‘ as much as Mungaru Male
Hemavathy M N
Yogaraj Bhat’s Manada Kadalu is a love story at its heart, but it feels like the director started with a simple idea and then got carried away with side details, philosophy, and a few jokes along the way. It’s like an overenthusiastic wedding buffet; there’s a lot on the plate, but you walk away feeling a little too full and yet strangely unsatisfied
The film follows Sumukha (Sumukha S), an MBBS dropout who believes love is his true calling. He falls for Rashika (Rashika Shetty), whose role is largely limited to looking dreamy in montages. Anjali (Anjali Anish), however, adds some weight to the narrative, nudging Sumukha toward self-discovery in a way that feels more grounded.
Visually, Manada Kadalu is a stunner. The cinematography bathes everything in a soft, dreamy glow. The Bhat-V. Harikrishna combo music disappoints .
Bhat’s signature poetic dialogues are in full force, sometimes gorgeously profound, sometimes meandering. At points, the film feels like an extended TED Talk on life and love, with the screenplay losing focus just when it needs to tighten.
Rangayana Raghu and Dattanna bring their usual charm, and Sumukha delivers an earnest performance. But at times, the emotional impact takes a backseat to grand philosophical statements, leaving us unsure whether the film wants to be a romance, a social commentary, or a deep life lesson.
Manada Kadalu has moments of warmth, humor, and genuine reflection. But is this Bhat at his best? Not quite. If you go in expecting a breezy love story, be ready for a few philosophical detours along the way.
For those who like their romance with a little extra reflection, this one’s a decent watch, just don’t expect emotional depth and be ready for grand statements.
