What’s it about?
Lakshman Bheri (Ravi Teja), a Railway Police officer, is transferred to a remote village called Adavivaram in Andhra Pradesh. What appears to be a routine transfer is, in fact, a covert assignment to dismantle a large-scale ganja smuggling network controlled by a local Escobar, Shivudu (Naveen Chandra).
The story follows how Lakshman takes on Shivudu’s powerful syndicate while also pursuing his personal goal of marrying Tulasi (Sreeleela), the woman he falls for at first sight.
Analysis
“Mass Jathara,” as the title suggests, is a regular Telugu star-driven mass entertainer that prioritizes action and crowd-pleasing moments tailored for Ravi Teja’s core fan base. However, it struggles to break free from the trappings of formulaic storytelling.
The narrative unfolds in the Uttara Andhra region, particularly in Alluri district, where illegal ganja (cannabis) cultivation runs rampant. Interestingly, the recently released “Ghaati” also delved into a similar subject, but that film told its story from the perspective of the local tribal cultivators. In contrast, “Mass Jathara” centers on a railway police officer who takes on the mission to halt this smuggling network.
Debut director Bhanu Bhogavarapu follows a familiar mass-movie template. The action sequences are well-conceived and executed effectively, and the high-energy dance numbers between the lead pair land perfectly on screen. However, the villain’s characterization and his confrontations with the hero feel too routine.
The film largely feels like a packaged product tailored to meet commercial expectations rather than an organically flowing narrative. While it offers a few engaging moments, it ultimately fails to rise above its contrived setup. It quickly loses steam, making it difficult to enjoy.
Ravi Teja, as a Railway Police Force officer, is good in moments tailored to his mass image. Beyond his trademark action flair, he brings his characteristic energy to the scree, sharing sparkling chemistry with Sreeleela, who plays a teacher. Their lively romantic banter is among the film’s better elements. Naveen Chandra, taking on a negative role, delivers a good performance.
Among Bheems Ceciroleo’s compositions, the “Super Duper” track stands out with its catchy rhythm, elevated further by Ravi Teja and Sreeleela’s infectious dance moves and chemistry. The rest of the songs are fairly standard, and the lyrics across the album are unremarkable. On the technical front, the cinematography and action choreography are of high quality. But writing, especially the story and screenplay, is weak.
Bottom-line: “Mass Jathara” is a formulaic mass actioner that relies heavily on Ravi Teja’s energy and a few slick action sequences. Despite these elements, it suffers from a predictable story and regular narration. A watch strictly for Ravi Teja’s fans, but offers little beyond that.
Rating: 2.25/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
