MRP (Neekentha Naakentha) Movie Review: A Hilarious Corpse-Swap Comedy You Can’t Miss

MRP, tagged Neekentha Naakentha, hit theatres on July 17, 2026, bringing a fresh spin on the friends-comedy-crime genre to Telugu cinema. Directed and produced by Shravan Jeshtha under the Panchajanya Features banner, the film follows three college buddies whose business dreams spiral into a chaotic case of mistaken identity involving a corpse. With Naresh Agastya leading a talented ensemble cast, MRP promises a laughter-filled, twist-heavy ride for audiences who enjoy offbeat comedies.

MRP tells the story of three inseparable college friends, Manohar, Dulla Ravi, and Parameswara Rao, who dream big about starting their own business but find themselves buried in debt after their venture collapses. Things take a wild turn when a plan to dispose of a body goes hilariously wrong, leading to a case of mistaken corpse identity that pulls in a local rowdy, his estranged family, and a determined police officer. The film blends comedy, mild thrills, and heartfelt friendship drama, powered by energetic performances and a solid background score. While the pacing dips a little in the first half, the second-half chase and comic timing between the leads and the police make up for it, delivering an entertaining watch overall.

Manohar (Naresh Agastya), Dulla Ravi (Kasireddy Rajkumar), and Parameswara Rao (Sudarshan) have been inseparable since their college days. Now bachelors navigating life in Hyderabad, the trio decides to chase their entrepreneurial dreams together, but without support from their families, they turn to a local rowdy-sheeter named Daiwaji (Nanda Gopal) for a hefty loan through their friend Magnet (Vennela Kishore).

When their business venture fails, the pressure to repay the debt intensifies, especially after Daiwaji’s estranged father suffers a fatal heart attack amid a family property dispute. In a desperate bid to solve their money troubles, the three friends hatch a plan involving the body, but end up mistakenly swapping it with that of an unknown woman named Mandakini. What unfolds is a comedy of errors as they try to outrun a sharp police officer (Harsha Vardhan) while unraveling the mystery of who Mandakini really is, all while trying to settle their debts and mend their personal relationships along the way.

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Naresh Agastya anchors the film with an energetic and confident performance as Manohar, bringing genuine screen presence to the lead role and carrying the emotional core of the friendship story with ease.

Donal Bisht plays Amrutha with charm and sincerity, adding a relatable emotional layer to the narrative through her portrayal.

Vennela Kishore once again proves his comic timing is impeccable, injecting fun and energy into the story right from his character’s entry point.

Sudarshan delivers a delightful comic performance as Parameswara Rao, with his exchanges alongside the police forming some of the film’s biggest laugh-out-loud moments.

Kasireddy Rajkumar shines as Dulla Ravi, matching Sudarshan’s comic energy beat for beat and keeping the second half lively and entertaining.

Harsha Vardhan brings an entertaining edge to his role as the investigating police officer, adding humor to the film’s cat-and-mouse chase.

Chaitanya Jonnalagadda, as SI Shankar, supports the plot’s procedural thread with a steady, dependable performance.

Prithvi Raj makes a strong impression despite limited screen time, standing out in his brief appearances.

Sneha Singh brings both charisma and solid acting chops to her role, leaving a mark despite a smaller part in the story.

Gagan Vihari and Nanda Gopal round out the family drama angle effectively, giving the story’s emotional stakes the weight they need.

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Shravan Jeshtha crafts a fun, if familiar, crime-comedy template, doing a commendable job building intrigue through the film’s central corpse-swap mystery and keeping the second-half chase engaging.

The visuals capture the Hyderabad setting and the film’s comic tone reasonably well, supporting the narrative’s shifting moods between comedy and mild suspense.

The background score by Ajay Arasada and Rakesh Kolanchi stands out as one of the film’s highlights, elevating key comic and dramatic moments throughout.

Marthand K. Venkatesh’s editing keeps the second-half momentum brisk, particularly during the chase and comedy sequences involving the police.

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Strengths:

Weaknesses:

MRP is an entertaining crime-comedy that delivers plenty of laughs, a fun mystery, and heartfelt friendship dynamics. Backed by Naresh Agastya’s spirited performance and a riotous comic pairing of Vennela Kishore and Sudarshan, the film makes for a solid time-pass watch for fans of quirky, offbeat entertainers. We recommend MRP a well-deserved 4/5 stars.

MRP has been certified for theatrical release in India; audiences are advised to check with local theatres for the exact censor rating before booking tickets.

MRP is best suited for adult and young-adult audiences, given its crime-comedy themes involving death and deception; parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers.

No, MRP is a fictional crime-comedy created for entertainment and is not based on real-life events.

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