Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu (transl.Our Mr. Shankara Vara Prasad) is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film written and directed by Anil Ravipudi. The film is produced by Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela. It stars Chiranjeevi in the titular role, alongside Venkatesh, Nayanthara and Catherine Tresa. The plot follows Shankara Vara Prasad, a national security officer who seeks to protect his estranged wife and children, seeing it as a chance to re-unite with them.
Principal photography began on 23 May 2024, with filming taking place in Hyderabad, Kerala, Mussoorie, and Dehradun. The film's shoot was wrapped up in December 2025. The film has music composed by Bheems Ceciroleo.
The film was theatrically released on 12 January 2026, coinciding with the festival of Sankranti to mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Chiranjeevi's performance and criticism for its weak writing.[4]
Plot
National Security Officer Shankara Vara Prasad falls in love with and marries Sasirekha. However, their marriage is short-lived due to a severe ideological rift between Prasad and his father-in-law, G.V.R., a powerful businessman and an influential figure. The conflict escalates to a point where Prasad and Sasirekha are forced to divorce. Separated from his wife and children for six years, Prasad longs for a chance to reunite with them.
Years later, Prasad learns that his children are attending a boarding school. Seizing the chance to reconnect with them, he adopts a new persona and secures a position at the school as a Physical Training (PT) mentor. Prasad is accompanied by his team members Jwaala, Narayana and Mustafa. While he successfully bonds with his children, Shasirekha eventually discovers his true identity. Despite her initial shock, she chooses not to disclose the truth to their children while Prasad continues his efforts to redeem himself in their eyes.
In Mumbai, an assassination plot targeting G.V.R takes place. Recognizing the gravity of the threat, Central Government assigns Prasad, revealed to be ex National Security Advisor as G.V.R.'s lead security officer.
Prasad enters their home aiming to re-unite with Sasirekha, while also taking on G.V.R who is responsible for their divorce. A new complication arises when Venky Gowda, a influential businessman from Karnataka, arrives with the intent of marrying Sasirekha. Amidst the wedding preparations and misunderstandings involving the extended family, Prasad investigates and concludes that the assassin of G.V.R was actually trying to kill Sasirekha.
A few months ago, Police Inspector Virendra Panda's brother rapes and murder a woman. Owing to public outrage, the police attempts to kill the accused in an encounter. However, Virendra Panda plots his brother's escape plan which is foiled by Sasirekha and her children. Panda's brother is killed by the police, and Panda is sent to jail. He comes out on bail six months later, and plot's revenge against Sasirekha.
Venky and Prasad reconcile upon realizing their old bond when they were young men. Venky gives up pursuing Sasirekha, and supports Prasad. Meanwhile, Virendra Panda attacks Sasirekha at her bungalow but Prasad arrives and kills Panda. Prasad earns the forgiveness of G.V.R. and Sasirekha. Prasad and Shasirekha reunite while Venky goes on to marry Jwaala.
Khushi Soni as Nikki, Vara Prasad and Sasi’s daughter
Ooha Reddy as Vikki, Vara Prasad and Sasi’s son
Bheemala Revanth as CPL Sugunesh
Vadlamani Srinivas as School Principal
Karuna Bhushan as Sasi’s friend
Nandana Nandu as Sasi’s friend
Anil Ravipudi as Himself in "Mega Victory Mass" song (Cameo)
Production
Development
Following the film Sankranthiki Vasthunam (2025), director Anil Ravipudi narrated a script to actor Chiranjeevi which would mark their maiden collaboration.[5] The film was formally launched on 30 March 2025 with the working title Mega 157 (intended to be Chiranjeevi's 157th film as lead actor).[6] Actress Nayanthara was cast opposite Chiranjeevi.[7]Venkatesh was signed for a "substantial role" in the film.[8] The film thus marked the first on-screen collaboration between the actors in their decades long career.[9][10]
In August 2025, the film's title was announced as Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, referencing Chiranjeevi's real name "Shankara Vara Prasad."[11]
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu was theatrically released on 12 January 2026, coinciding with Sankranti.[17]
Reception
Critical Reception
Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu received mixed reviews from critics. Chiranjeevi has received praised for his performance but the film is criticized for its weak writing.[4] Writing for The New Indian Express, Suresh Kavirayani opined that, "This film belongs entirely to Chiranjeevi. More than Anil Ravipudi’s writing, it is Chiru’s screen presence that holds the film together."[18]NDTV's Latha Srinivasan, who rated the film 2.5/5, stated - "The plot is not new and neither is the treatment - the jokes fall flat and really don't hit the high notes at any point."[19] Swaroop Kodur of The Indian Express, who also rated the film 2.5/5, saying that, "the film makes a low-effort attempt at entertaining us, and only a few parts work well."[20] On the film's writing, Shruthi Ganapati Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India, stated, "The writing remains slaphappy and nostalgic, evocative of films that represented good family fun."[21]
A reviewer from Eenadu, identified Chiranjeevi's performance in the film, humour and climax as it's positives while screenplay of the second-half is a let down.[22] On Chiranjeevi–Venkatesh collaboration, Sangeetha Devi of The Hindu stated that the portions are slightly underwhelming, is "film is weighed down by the expectations that come with pairing two superstars." She has also criticized the film's technical values and cinematography.[23]
Box office
The film grossed ₹65 crore on its opening day, with ₹44.75 crore from India and $2.3 million in international territories. It is Chiranjeevi's second best opening following Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.[24] After the first seven days of it's release, the film grossed between ₹222.50–225 crore worldwide including ₹189–157.75 crore domestically.[25][26][27] The 11 day worldwide gross stood at more than ₹300 crore (over ₹200 crore domestically and more than $4.5 million internationally), thus making it the highest-grosser for Chiranjeevi surpassing Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019).[28]
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