Read the full review of Mad Square (MAD²), the 2025 Telugu action comedy and sequel to the hit 2023 film Mad. Does it live up to the madness of the original or fizzle out in the chaos?
Movie Overview:
Title: Mad Square (MAD²)
Language: Telugu
Genre: Action Comedy / Youth Drama
Release Date: 28 March 2025
Director & Writer: Kalyan Shankar
Producers: Haarika Suryadevara, Sai Soujanya, S. Naga Vamsi
Production House: Sithara Entertainments
Cast: Sangeeth Sobhan, Narne Nithiin, Ram Nitin, Priyanka Jawalkar, Vishnu Oi
Cinematography: Shamdat
Editing: Naveen Nooli
Music: Songs by Bheems Ceciroleo | Score by Thaman S
Box Office Collection: ₹66 crore
Running Time: 127 minutes
Plot Summary:
Mad Square (MAD²) picks up shortly after the events of Mad (2023), continuing the lives of a bunch of misfit college friends who find themselves in increasingly bizarre and hilarious situations. The sequel explores the chaos that unfolds as the group navigates final-year college life, last-minute romances, placements, and unfinished business from their past.
Bigger in scale and zanier in tone, MAD² turns up the volume on everything — from its quirky characters to the high-octane campus conflicts. The plot doesn’t aim for depth; rather, it rides high on energy, humor, and colorful storytelling.
Performances:
Sangeeth Sobhan once again steals the show with his natural flair for comedy and impeccable timing. His dialogues, mannerisms, and screen presence make him the heart of the film.
Narne Nithiin and Ram Nitin provide solid support, playing off each other with ease. Their chemistry as a group is a major strength, and the camaraderie feels authentic.
Priyanka Jawalkar adds a refreshing presence to the chaos, bringing charm and subtle emotion to a mostly testosterone-driven narrative. Her performance is measured and stands out in key scenes.
Vishnu Oi, though not heavily featured, gets his moments to shine, especially in some of the film’s wildest sequences.
Direction and Screenplay:
Director Kalyan Shankar knows his audience well. With MAD², he delivers a film that doesn’t take itself seriously, and that’s exactly the point. The screenplay is filled with wild detours, irreverent humor, and situational comedy that captures the madness of college life.
However, the second half does stumble occasionally with pacing issues and a few scenes that feel repetitive. There’s also a noticeable dip in novelty compared to the first film. Still, the chaos is so well choreographed that it rarely gets boring.
Technical Aspects:
- Cinematography by Shamdat is vibrant and lively, capturing the colorful madness of the campus atmosphere. Each frame is packed with movement and personality.
- Editing by Naveen Nooli maintains a snappy pace for the most part, though the emotional beats could have used more breathing room.
- Music: Bheems Ceciroleo’s songs are fun and catchy, though not as iconic as those from the original. Thaman S’s background score, however, is electric — elevating the film’s energy in high-octane scenes and comic punches.
Highlights:
- Hilarious group dynamics and punch dialogues
- Stylish visuals and a youthful vibe
- Energetic background score by Thaman S
- Sangeeth Sobhan’s standout performance
- Nostalgic campus comedy moments
Drawbacks:
- Relies heavily on the success formula of the first film
- Lacks emotional depth and character growth
- Pacing issues in the second half
- Female characters could’ve been better fleshed out
Box Office Performance:
Despite mixed critical reception, MAD² performed well at the box office, especially among youth audiences and urban centers. With a theatrical run yielding ₹66 crore, the film emerged as a commercial success, proving that the Mad franchise still has strong appeal.
Final Verdict:
Mad Square (MAD²) is a fun, flashy, and chaotic sequel that delivers exactly what it promises — high-energy comedy and nonstop college madness. While it may not have the freshness of the original, it’s an entertaining ride for fans of campus comedies.
If you’re looking for something light-hearted and crazy to kick back and enjoy, MAD² is worth a watch — especially if you liked the first one.
BMR (Best Movie Review) Rating: 6.8/10