Manga Maaya

By Susmita Sameera


Set during the Covid period, Manga Maaya begins with a simple yet engaging premise. Pawan (Akshath Amin) arrives at a modest lodge in search of a room and checks in for ten days after paying in advance. At the lodge, he encounters receptionist Rakesh (Prasanna Puttur) and the room boy (Radhesh Shenoy), while another guest, Vijay (Chandan Kumar), is already staying there. Vijay constantly finds himself disturbed by the room boy and grows increasingly suspicious of him, leading to continuous friction between the two.

Amid these seemingly ordinary events, a large box labelled as sanitizer arrives at the lodge. However, the box actually contains black money belonging to a local politician and is secretly placed in one of the regular rooms under the supervision of the lodge manager, Murthy Sir (Prakash Shenoy). Soon after, a series of unexpected incidents unfold, and the money mysteriously disappears. Who took it, and what was the motive behind it, becomes the central mystery of the film, while the police and the politician’s men intensify their search from the other side.

The film gradually builds its narrative by establishing a grounded setting and introducing conflicts in a measured manner before slowly shifting into a more serious tone. The subject itself is interesting, and the screenplay manages to keep the setup both simple and layered at the same time. The characters feel realistic, and the lodge setting adds authenticity without appearing exaggerated or overly cinematic.

However, despite the intriguing premise, the film struggles to maintain the same level of intensity in the latter half. Once the motive behind the mystery is revealed, the suspense begins to lose its grip, and a few scenes feel unnecessarily stretched. Even so, considering the limited setting and resources, the film makes a sincere attempt to deliver an engaging thriller.

One of the notable aspects of Manga Maaya is its reliance on storytelling rather than commercial elements. The film avoids unnecessary fight sequences or song-and-dance moments, choosing instead to focus entirely on the suspense and progression of the narrative. The cast keeps the performances natural and grounded, which helps the film maintain its realistic tone throughout.

Technically, the film remains decent and stays consistent with its grounded storytelling approach. However, the screenplay weakens considerably after the central reveal, causing the suspense and emotional weight to fade in the later portions. What begins as an intriguing mystery gradually loses its grip, and the film is unable to sustain the tension and engagement it initially promises.