Sangeeth Shobhan
Damodhar "DD"
Overview
After his wedding turns into a disaster, Laddu and his pals — Manoj, Ashok and Damodar — find themselves traveling to Goa for another wild adventure.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min read AI-generated editorial review
Goa, Gags, and the Gnawing Feeling You’ve Seen This Before
I’ll admit it: I went into (MAD)² with low expectations. Not because the first Mad was bad—it wasn’t—but because sequels to raucous, ensemble-driven comedies so rarely justify their existence. The original film thrived on the anarchic energy of college life, a setting that lent itself to chaos by default. Transplanting that chaos to a Goa wedding, complete with a heist subplot and mistaken identities, feels like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. And yet, for all its flaws, (MAD)² isn’t without its charms. It’s just that those charms are buried under a mountain of familiar gags, underdeveloped characters, and a plot that lurches from one set piece to the next with all the grace of a drunk uncle at a family reunion.
The film opens with a disaster at Laddu’s wedding—a premise that, on paper, should be a goldmine for comedy. The groom (Vishnu Oi) is left humiliated, his bride-to-be flees, and his three best friends—Manoj (Ram Nithin), Ashok (Narne Nithin), and Damodhar "DD" (Sangeeth Shobhan)—rally to salvage the situation. Their solution? A road trip to Goa, where they stumble into a tangled web of stolen jewelry, undercover cops, and a villain named Maxx (Sunil), who looks like he wandered in from a 90s masala flick. The setup is ripe for absurdity, but the execution is where (MAD)² starts to unravel.
Take the heist subplot, for instance. It’s introduced with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and for what? By the time Ashok is revealed as an undercover IPS officer—a twist that arrives with all the surprise of a sunrise—the plot has already meandered through so many detours that it’s hard to care. The heist itself is played for laughs, but the humor lands with the precision of a blindfolded dart thrower. There’s a scene where the gang attempts to smuggle jewelry past a security checkpoint, and while the physical comedy is serviceable, it’s the kind of gag you’ve seen a dozen times before. The film seems to think that chaos alone is enough to sustain it, but chaos without purpose is just noise.
That’s not to say there aren’t moments that work. The chemistry between the three leads is undeniable, even if their characters are little more than broad caricatures. Sangeeth Shobhan’s DD is the standout, a lovable goofball whose physical comedy—particularly in a scene where he tries (and fails) to impersonate a cop—lands more often than it misses. Narne Nithin’s Ashok, meanwhile, oscillates between deadpan and over-the-top with alarming frequency, as if the actor himself isn’t quite sure which version of the character he’s supposed to be playing. Ram Nithin’s Manoj is the most underwritten of the trio, reduced to little more than a straight man for the others’ antics.
I’ll admit it: I went into (MAD)² with low expectations. Not because the first Mad was bad—it wasn’t—but because sequels to raucous, ensemble-driven comedies so rarely justify their existence. The original film thrived on the anarchic energy of college life, a setting that lent itself to chaos by default. Transplanting that chaos to a Goa wedding, complete with a heist subplot and mistaken identities, feels like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. And yet, for all its flaws, (MAD)² isn’t without its charms. It’s just that those charms are buried under a mountain of familiar gags, underdeveloped characters, and a plot that lurches from one set piece to the next with all the grace of a drunk uncle at a family reunion.
The film opens with a disaster at Laddu’s wedding—a premise that, on paper, should be a goldmine for comedy. The groom (Vishnu Oi) is left humiliated, his bride-to-be flees, and his three best friends—Manoj (Ram Nithin), Ashok (Narne Nithin), and Damodhar "DD" (Sangeeth Shobhan)—rally to salvage the situation. Their solution? A road trip to Goa, where they stumble into a tangled web of stolen jewelry, undercover cops, and a villain named Maxx (Sunil), who looks like he wandered in from a 90s masala flick. The setup is ripe for absurdity, but the execution is where (MAD)² starts to unravel.
Take the heist subplot, for instance. It’s introduced with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and for what? By the time Ashok is revealed as an undercover IPS officer—a twist that arrives with all the surprise of a sunrise—the plot has already meandered through so many detours that it’s hard to care. The heist itself is played for laughs, but the humor lands with the precision of a blindfolded dart thrower. There’s a scene where the gang attempts to smuggle jewelry past a security checkpoint, and while the physical comedy is serviceable, it’s the kind of gag you’ve seen a dozen times before. The film seems to think that chaos alone is enough to sustain it, but chaos without purpose is just noise.
That’s not to say there aren’t moments that work. The chemistry between the three leads is undeniable, even if their characters are little more than broad caricatures. Sangeeth Shobhan’s DD is the standout, a lovable goofball whose physical comedy—particularly in a scene where he tries (and fails) to impersonate a cop—lands more often than it misses. Narne Nithin’s Ashok, meanwhile, oscillates between deadpan and over-the-top with alarming frequency, as if the actor himself isn’t quite sure which version of the character he’s supposed to be playing. Ram Nithin’s Manoj is the most underwritten of the trio, reduced to little more than a straight man for the others’ antics.
Audience Opinions
AI summary of viewer review patterns
Audience 7.2/10 AI
"A fun, chaotic sequel that delivers laughs and action but struggles with pacing and depth."
The film’s energetic cast and comedic timing keep it entertaining, with standout moments of humor and action that fans of the original will appreciate. However, the plot feels stretched thin at times, and some characters lack development, leaving the story feeling uneven despite its high-energy moments.
What viewers praise
- Energetic cast The ensemble cast, particularly Sangeeth Shobhan and Narne Nithin, brings lively performances that elevate the comedy and action.
- Strong comedic moments The humor lands well, with several scenes delivering genuine laughs and keeping the tone lighthearted.
- Action sequences The action scenes are well-choreographed and add excitement to the film’s chaotic energy.
- Nostalgic appeal Fans of the first film appreciate the callbacks and continuity, making it a satisfying follow-up for existing viewers.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing The film drags in parts, with some sequences feeling unnecessary or stretched out.
- Thin character development Several supporting characters lack depth, making it hard to connect with their arcs.
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar tropes, offering few surprises for those familiar with the genre.
- Over-the-top moments Some comedic and action scenes veer into excess, losing subtlety and occasionally feeling forced.
Recommended for
Fans of the original *Mad* Telugu comedy lovers Action-comedy enthusiasts Sangeeth Shobhan admirers Lighthearted movie nights
Full Plot (Spoilers)
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Buzz & Rumors
Public reports AI-researched entertainment notes
(MAD)² (2025): The Wild Sequel That’s Doubling Down on Chaos
The original Mad (2023) was a sleeper hit—a raucous Telugu comedy that turned college life into a pressure cooker of absurdity. Now, director Kalyan Shankar is back with (MAD)², a sequel that promises to crank up the madness to eleven. Early buzz suggests this isn’t just a cash grab but a deliberate escalation of the first film’s brand of chaos, with a cast that’s either returning for round two or jumping in for the ride.
The Core Trio Returns—With a Few Surprises
The heart of (MAD)² remains the same trio of college buddies, though the evidence is a little fuzzy on who’s playing whom. Sangeeth Shobhan, Narne Nithin, and Ram Nithin are confirmed to reprise their roles 
, but the snippets don’t clarify if their characters are picking up where they left off or diving into fresh misadventures. What is clear? The stakes are higher. The Moviefone listing tags the film as a mix of drama, comedy, and romance [1], while IMDb’s brief synopsis teases “wild adventures and laugh-out-loud moments” 
. If the first Mad was about surviving campus life, (MAD)² might be about surviving each other.
The supporting cast is where things get interesting. Vishnu Oi, Muralidhar Goud, and Karthikeya Samala join the fray [3], though their roles are unconfirmed. Rumor has it some of these names are playing exaggerated versions of themselves—a meta move that could either pay off or backfire spectacularly. Sunil Varma, Satyam Rajesh, and Subhalekha Sudhakar round out the ensemble [3], suggesting a mix of veteran comedians and fresh faces to keep the energy unpredictable.
A Sequel That’s Not Playing It Safe
Sequels often struggle to justify their existence, but (MAD)² seems determined to avoid that trap. The Wikipedia snippet confirms it’s a direct follow-up to the 2023 film , not a soft reboot or spin-off. That’s a bold choice in an era where franchises often dilute their own formulas. The title itself—stylized as (MAD)²—hints at a mathematical approach to the chaos: if the first film was a 10/10 on the absurdity scale, this one’s aiming for 100.
The director, Kalyan Shankar, is doubling down on the same tone that worked before. IMDb credits him as the sole director [2], despite Moviefone listing a co-director named Murali [1]. This discrepancy is unconfirmed, but if true, it could signal a creative shake-up—or just a clerical error. Either way, Shankar’s fingerprints are all over the project. The film’s runtime clocks in at 2 hours and 7 minutes [1], a full 10 minutes longer than the original, suggesting either deeper character arcs or more room for mayhem.
Where to Watch and What’s Next
(MAD)² hits theaters on April 25, 2025 [1], with a Netflix release likely to follow. The PG-13 rating [1] suggests the humor won’t stray into too raunchy territory, but given the first film’s reputation, expect plenty of cringe-worthy, quotable moments. The Moviefone listing also mentions the film is “part of MAD Collection” [1], which could imply a larger franchise play—though whether that means more sequels or spin-offs remains to be seen.
For now, fans are left with more questions than answers. Will the trio’s dynamic hold up under the weight of a sequel? Are the new cast members bringing fresh chaos or just filling seats? And most importantly: can (MAD)² deliver on its promise of squared madness? If the first film was any indication, the answer is probably yes—just don’t expect it to make sense.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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