After impressing as a self-petious loverboy in Satyam [Get Quote], Sumanth, nephew of Nagarjuna [Images], plays a dreaded factionist in Mahanandi. Grandson of thespian A N R displays histrionics as a guy who is loved by his friend's sister and comes up triumphs. Srihari, in his trademark style, plays a lovable brother who doubts the intentions of his childhood-friend (Sumanth). Up and coming Anushka of Super fame reveals more skin but fits into the role of a bubbly lovergirl.

Director Samudra overlooks few flaws in his screenplay (like Srihari relying on his goons to bring back his sister rather than stepping out himself) but packs it with 'ingredients' to savour Telugu audience. Despite choosing the backdrop of 'beaten-to-death' factionism, he works out few touching love moments between Sumanth and Anushka to make it a watchable love story. He should have avoided excessive bloodshed by diluting the vendetta angle to endear it to family audience. Compositions of Kamalakar seem okay.

The story of Mahanandi goes like this: After losing his parents, Srihari takes his sister to the city but returns to avenge the death of his parents. He enrols his sister (Anushka) at a college in Dehra Dun. Sumanth, his childhood friend, thwarts the plans of Srihari's rivals. When Srihari escapes a bomb attack, Anushka returns to stay with his brother and she is always in loggerheads with Sumanth. When Srihari fixes up Anushka's marriage with a rich boy, she takes the help of Sumanth to elope but Srihari doubts his friend's intentions. Watch the film for the rest.

Sumanth, scion of illustrious Akkineni family, seems to have resolved to do an action-role and impresses as a ruthless factionist. He strains himself in action episodes but fails to emote. The husband of actress Keerthi Reddy [Images] proves he can slip into anger-driven film but he should stick to their family image of loverboy for a long run.

After big success of Nuv Vasthanante..., Srihari became a sought-after character actor. Once again, he plays a responsible brother who is shattered when he comes to know that his sister has eloped with his best friend. He scores in sentimental and action scenes. He declared that this film would run for 175 days but it seems he was over-confident.

Glam girl Anushka, who oozed glam in Super relies on her skin to convery her love to Sumanth. She is pretty but needs to improve on her histrionics. She could be the new glam girl of Telugu cinema.

Comedian Venu Madhav as logic Anand evokes a few laughs while AVS, LB Sriram try hard to play their roles. Suman as an upright officer is okay but the baddy, archrival of Srihari, relies more on rhetoric than action.

Director Samudra of Simharaasi fame shows his flair for action and manages to balance the roles of two stars -- Srihari and Sumanth in his screenplay. In his fascination to become a starmaker, he resorts to unnecasary action episodes to dilute the agony of eloped lovers.

Writer Gaatikachalam rehashes Yagnam with mandatory changes but fails to come up with new twists to make it different. Two tunes of composer Kamalakar have repeat value. 

Producer Anasuya Devi from Bangalore who began their innings in Telugu with a dud like Subbu could manage an average grosser this time.