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Romantic drama

MAD (2023): Cast & Ratings

MAD (2023) movie poster

MAD is a 2023 romantic drama directed by Kalyan Shankar, starring Raghu Babu as Purushotham, Sivannarayana Naripeddi and Muralidhar Goud. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes. Its Echo Score is 78/100.

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MAD (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 4m (124 min)
Director
Kalyan Shankar
Genres
Drama , Romance , Comedy
Original language
Telugu
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is MAD About?

The premise of MAD without spoilers.

Set in an engineering college and revolves around the antics of the students there, primarily the boys, who get a kick out of torturing the hostel warden.

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Cast & crew

MAD Cast & Characters

Raghu Babu leads the cast as Purushotham, with Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Shruthi's Father and Muralidhar Goud as Ganesh's Father. Directed by Kalyan Shankar; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in MAD

· 13 more
From the director

More from Kalyan Shankar

One more film directed by Kalyan Shankar: (MAD)².

Full filmography
Ratings

MAD Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in rewatch factor (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

MAD Echo Score Breakdown

MAD delivers a high‑energy college comedy anchored by an enthusiastic ensemble cast and a vibrant visual tone. The film’s direction maintains a lively pace in the first half, while its soundtrack and cinematography reinforce the youthful atmosphere. Critics note uneven pacing in the latter half and underused female roles, yet the overall experience remains light‑hearted and entertaining, offering strong rewatch appeal for audiences seeking a fun, nostalgia‑driven ride.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film benefits from Kalyan Shankar’s energetic handling and vivid cinematography that capture campus life. Editing remains tight for most of the runtime, supporting the brisk comedic flow. However, occasional forced scenes and moments of amateurish direction create unevenness, tempering an otherwise competent technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character work, the trio’s chemistry and comic timing are consistently praised, with Vishnu Oi and Sangeeth Shobhan receiving particular commendation. Performances convey the youthful exuberance of college friendships. Conversely, female leads receive limited development, leading to a perception of imbalance in character depth, though overall engagement remains solid.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The narrative centers on slapstick misadventures that sustain momentum early on, offering a clear, if formulaic, plot structure. Pacing is well‑balanced in the opening half, but the second half drifts into chaotic, stretched sequences that reduce narrative cohesion. The story’s originality is modest, delivering entertainment without deep thematic weight.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    Sensory elements feature a vibrant color palette and lively cinematography that echo the film’s youthful setting. The soundtrack provides occasional standout tracks, though many songs fail to leave a lasting impression. Overall, sound design and visual style complement the comedic tone, delivering a pleasing but not exceptional auditory‑visual experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    Rewatch potential is high, as the film’s humor, nostalgic college references, and catchy moments encourage repeat viewings. Audiences report multiple screenings, citing the energetic comedy and relatable scenarios as reasons to return. While some viewers view it as a mindless dramedy, its consistent entertainment value sustains lasting appeal.

Details

MAD Also Known As

Also known as “Coisa de Loucos”.

Also known as
  • Coisa de Loucos

Seen MAD?

FAQ

MAD FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of MAD, each answered in a sentence.

How long is MAD?

MAD runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).

When was MAD released?

MAD was released on October 6, 2023.

Who directed MAD?

MAD was directed by Kalyan Shankar.

More films by Kalyan Shankar

Who is in the cast of MAD?

MAD stars Raghu Babu as Purushotham, Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Shruthi's Father and Muralidhar Goud as Ganesh's Father, among 17 credited actors.

Does MAD have a post-credit scene?

No. MAD has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is MAD in?

The original language of MAD is Telugu.

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