Hanu Man review: An Indian superhero film with equal parts electrifying and entertaining

Hyderabad: Prasanth Varma and Teja Sajja’s ‘Hanu-Man’ has been a much-talked-about film in recent months, generating widespread attention due to its aggressive promotions and special premieres.

The film’s makers expressed high confidence in its success, leading to heightened expectations. Now, with the film released, does Hanu-Man live up to the massive anticipation? Let’s delve into the details.

Story

‘Hanu-Man’ follows the story of Hanumanthu (Teja Sajja), a petty thief from Anjanadhri. While living with his elder sister, Anjamma (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar), Hanumanthu falls in love with Meenakshi (Amritha Aiyer), a girl from the same place.

At the same time, Gajapathi (Raj Deepak Shetty) poses as the saviour but controls the villagers. Meenakshi’s rebellion against Gajapathi lands Hanumanthu in trouble. During these events, Hanumanthu discovers a precious stone that grants him superpowers. The narrative unfolds the consequences of these newfound abilities and introduces Micheal (Vinay Rai) into the plot.

Hanu-Man excels in delivering goosebumps-inducing moments and humour. Prasanth Varma crafts ultimate sequences that elevate Lord Hanuman, generating significant audience excitement. The lengthy finale episode, accompanied by an impactful background score by Gowra Hari, stands out. The VFX works in the climax are impressive, and the drama and emotions intensify in the second hour. The fight sequence where Teja saves Amritha and the background folk song add to the film’s appeal.

Teja Sajja’s performance as Hanumanthu, with well-executed vulnerability, stands out. The movie becomes more entertaining when Teja receives superpowers, incorporating star heroes’ references and rib-tickling comedy scenes. The interval action block is both entertaining and powerful.

Minus points

The film’s storyline lacks uniqueness, presenting a concept repeated in many movies—a bad guy seeking world domination through superpowers. The antagonist’s character is clichéd, and the writing in this aspect could have been more refined.

The initial forty minutes of the film feel flat, and there is room for improvement in visual effects, particularly in a night sequence in the first half.

Technical aspects

Gowra Hari’s background score, especially during the climax, is exceptional. The cinematography by Shivendra is neat, capturing the essence of the film effectively. While the folk song is well-presented, editing could be improved in certain sequences.

Verdict

Hanu-Man proves to be an engaging superhero film with an abundance of goosebumps-inducing moments.

Despite a familiar storyline, Prasanth Varma successfully captivates the audience with edge-of-the-seat moments at regular intervals. The film’s last half-hour, humour, and ample high points serve as its major assets.

While a few scenes could have been improved, Hanu-Man is a recommended watch, especially during the Sankranti season, offering a unique take on Lord Hanuman with a blend of terrific dialogues and background score. Teja Sajja, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Amritha Aiyer, and the entire cast deliver commendable performances, contributing to an overall entertaining experience.