Mannu Kya Karegga Review: A Youthful Tale of Love, Choices and Finding Direction

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3/5*

Mannu Kya Karegga Review Movie Talkies:

SsanJay Tripaathy’s Mannu Kya Karegga is a coming-of-age drama that flows smoothly between the pressures of choosing passion or profession, while gently exploring the sensitive topic of modern-day romance. It deals with problems every young person faces at some point in life and keeps the mood light with a cheerful, humorous narrative. At the same time, it leaves you with a thoughtful message about balancing education with passion—something the system must address in today’s AI-driven era.

The story is set against the picturesque backdrop of Dehradun, giving the film a youthful and refreshing atmosphere. It follows Manav Chaturvedi, fondly called Mannu (Vyom), a student who has his hands full in every possible activity—football, IT, drama, academics—yet lacks a clear direction. Mannu is smart, popular, and immensely talented, but ironically, his biggest strength is also his weakness: he doesn’t know what truly excites him. This confusion forms the heart of the film.

Mannu’s life takes a turn when Jiya Rastogi (Saachi Bindra) enters the scene. Jiya is a no-nonsense, ambitious student who transfers from Delhi University to Dehradun. Her eyes are fixed on big goals like Stanford and Harvard, and she comes across as focused, disciplined, and full of drive. In contrast, Mannu is casual, carefree, and still searching for himself. The two inevitably fall in love, but a lie told by Mannu threatens their relationship. From then on, the film explores whether Mannu can win Jiya back by proving his worth both in love and in professional life.

The story has shades that remind you of Wake Up Sid (2009) starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. That film became a cult favourite for its portrayal of a confused youth finding direction, and Mannu Kya Karegga treads a similar path. However, Tripaathy’s film adds a modern flavour by introducing themes such as artificial intelligence, startups, live-in relationships, and the challenges of college regulations for students excelling in extra-curriculars. These elements make the film relatable to today’s Gen-Z audience.

The performances are one of the film’s strongest aspects. Vyom brings a natural charm to Mannu, making him lovable even when he falters. He captures both the carefree side of youth and the vulnerability of a boy struggling with choices. Saachi Bindra as Jiya complements him beautifully—her poise and passion shine through. The chemistry between the leads is engaging.

The supporting cast also brings depth. Kumud Mishra and Charu Shankar as Mannu’s parents add emotional grounding, portraying concerned yet supportive figures. Vinay Pathak stands out as Don, the eccentric yet wise “Dean of Nothing,” who delivers quirky philosophies and life lessons with ease. Rajendra Kumar, Brijendra Kala and the rest of the ensemble, though smaller in screen time, enhances the film’s overall rhythm. 

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On the technical front, the film holds up fairly well. The cinematography captures the beauty of Dehradun with wide shots and soft frames, creating a breezy college-town feel. The first half maintains an engaging pace, though the second half tends to slow down in parts. Dialogues are infused with Gen-Z slang while also slipping in famous quotes that resonate. The soundtrack works in context, offering situational songs rather than chartbusters, while the background score adds just the right amount of emotional lift.

Director SsanJay Tripaathy deserves credit for his storytelling approach. He keeps the film engaging with a mix of simplicity, romance, and philosophy. His intention to highlight important issues like balancing studies with creative passions, or encouraging self-discovery in young adults, is clear and effective. That said, the pacing and production design could have been sharper in places.

On the positive side, Mannu Kya Karegga remains a film that leaves you with a smile. Its freshness lies in the vibe—it doesn’t try to be too heavy-handed with its lessons but still manages to touch upon relevant themes. The characters are relatable, the setting is charming, and the journey feels heartfelt. It may not reinvent the coming-of-age genre, but it adds enough modern touches to feel timely and important.

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In the end, the film asks a simple yet universal question: what truly drives us—our passion or the profession society expects us to choose? Mannu’s answer is one of love, sincerity, and self-belief. That makes Mannu Kya Karegga a watchable and warm-hearted story for today’s youth. Mannu may not have all the answers, but as the film suggests: Mannu Kya Karega? Mannu Dil Jeetega!

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