Guntur Kaaram | |
---|---|
Directed by | Trivikram Srinivas |
Written by | Trivikram Srinivas |
Produced by | S. Radha Krishna |
Starring | |
Cinematography | |
Edited by | Naveen Nooli |
Music by | Thaman S |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 159 minutes[1] |
Country | India |
Language | Telugu |
Budget | ₹200 crore[2][3] |
Box office | est. ₹189.67 crore (9 days)[4] |
Guntur Kaaram (pronounced [ɡʊɳʈuːɾ kaːɾʌm]; transl. Spice of Guntur) is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language action drama film[5][6] written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, and produced by S. Radha Krishna through Haarika & Hassine Creations. It stars Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Ramya Krishna, Jayaram, Prakash Raj and Jagapathi Babu.
The film was officially announced in May 2021 under the tentative title SSMB28, as it is Mahesh's 28th film in the leading role, and the official title was announced in May 2023. Principal photography commenced in September 2022, mostly shot in Hyderabad, and wrapped by late-December 2023. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Thaman S, with cinematography handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing handled by Naveen Nooli.
Guntur Kaaram was released in theatres worldwide on 12 January 2024, coinciding with Sankranti. The film received negative reviews from critics for Trivikram's direction, screenplay, plot and Thaman's background score and soundtrack but Babu's performance was praised.[7][8][9][10][11]
In 1998 in Guntur, Marx and Lenin, two of the biggest hooligans in the city, burn down Satyam's mirchi factory. Satyam, seeing this, approaches Marx and Lenin to question them, while the factory is burning. In the process, Satyam's brother-in-law decides to kill Lenin, but Satyam takes the blame for the murder, landing him in jail for 12 years. However, his son, Ramana, partially loses his vision in his left eye, rendering him blind during the explosion of the factory. Soon afterwards, seeing how Satyam went to jail, his wife and Ramana's mother, Vasundhara, decides to leave Ramana and moves on with her father, Venkata Swamy.
25 years later, Venkata Swamy makes Vasundhara a minister from his political party, but faces opposition from Kata Madhu, from the rival political party, who threatens to expose the fact that Ramana is Vasundhara's son. To combat this, Venkata Swamy decides to make Ramana sign a document stating that he is not related to Vasundhra or the family, in return for which he will receive money. Ramana refuses to do so if he cannot see his mother one last time. There is a back and forth involving Amulya "Ammu" and Balu trying to get Ramana to sign the document. Venkata Swamy, growing frustrated, decides to have Pani file a fake FIR against Ramana stating that he destroyed valuables in his house and attacked his security guard in order to force him to sign the document. Balu is empathetic towards Ramana, opposes Pani and obtains a bail order for Ramana. Ramana visits Venkataswamy's house in Hyderabad and recreates exactly what was stated in the FIR.
Vasundhara then decides to see Ramana and slaps him, which makes him sign the document. Back in Guntur, Kata Madhu tries to get Ramana to side with him and his party, but Ramana thrashes him. However, Kata is able to steal his wallet and reveals to the media that he is indeed Vasundhara's son. Venkata Swamy seeing this tries to get Ramana arrested again, but fails to do so. Satyam then reveals that Vasundhara immediately wanted to have Ramana's eye operated on after the accident and fought with him, who thought saving his brother-in-law was his main priority. She also wanted to take Ramana with her to Venkata Swamy's house, but Bujji, Satyam's sister and her sister-in-law, shut the doors of the house on her. Meanwhile, in the court, Vasundhara inquires with Bujji about Ramana's eye, to which, she tells her that his eye will never regress to normalcy. Vasundhara is enraged and blames the murder on Satyam. Ramana, learning of this, becomes depressed. "Gelatin" Babji and his men kidnap him and Balu to try to kill them.
It is then revealed that Narayana, Vasundhara's second husband, hired Babji and his men to kill Ramana, under Venkata Swamy's orders. Elsewhere, Vasundhara is struck by a lorry and then hospitalised. Ramana rushes to see how she is; it is then revealed that Hari Das and Kata Madhu planned to murder Vasundhara with the accident. Venkata Swamy convinces Ramana to kill Hari Das to prove that he is Vasundhara's son. In the process, Venkata Swamy reveals to Pani that he orchestrated the attack on Satyam's factory in 1998 to bring his daughter back, as he lost the elections due to Vasundhara marrying Satyam, who was from another caste.
When Ramana goes to kill Hari Das, he reveals that he never planned the murder with Kata and it is revealed that Venkata Swamy orchestrated everything. At the event to make Gopal Reddy the next minister, Narayana also reveals to Venkata Swamy that Gopal Reddy is not Vasundhara's son, but was merely adopted by Vasundhara in making Venkata Swamy a fool to save Ramana from harm. When Ramana learns of this, he becomes enraged at Venkata Swamy, but Vasundhara stops him and they both go to Guntur where the family is reunited.
In early April 2021, it was reported that Trivikram Srinivas, who had successful collaborations with both Mahesh Babu and Pooja Hegde after working with the former in Athadu (2005) and Khaleja (2010); the latter in Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), would collaborate with both Babu and Hegde for his next directorial before his venture with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. He reportedly had narrated the script before the final script works which impressed the actor and actress and made them agree to work on the venture, in their third respective collaboration with the director.[12] On 1 May, the collaboration of Babu and Trivikram was officially announced, under the tentative title SSMB28.[13] Production was set to begin in November 2021 as Babu reportedly finishes filming by then for Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022). Cinematographer P. S. Vinod, editor Naveen Nooli, music composer Thaman S and art director A. S. Prakash were finalized in the technical crew. The project is funded by S. Radha Krishna under Haarika & Hassine Creations.[14][15]
A muhurtam pooja ceremony was held on 3 February 2022 at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad with the film's cast and crew.[16] The film was initially promoted as an action thriller. However, after the completion of the first schedule, reports surfaced about conflicts among crew members and the cast. Subsequently, the production of the film was paused, and the script was reworked. After several months of delay, Trivikram presented a new modified script that transformed the film into a family entertainer, departing from the original narrative as an action thriller. The sequences filmed during the first schedule were intended to be discarded. The shooting recommenced with action sequences as per the modifications done to the script.[17][18] The film's official title was revealed as Guntur Kaaram on 31 May 2023.
Pooja Hegde was initially cast as the lead actress, paired opposite Babu for the second time after Maharshi (2019) as well as in her third collaboration with director, however due to her schedule conflicts, she opted out from the venture and was subsequently replaced by Sreeleela.[19][20] The latter was initially signed on to play the second actress role before Hegde opted out, however after that, Sreeleela took over the lead actress role and the second role was replaced by Meenakshi Chaudhary.[21][22] In February 2023, Ramya Krishna was selected to play a key role in the film.[23] In March, Prakash Raj joined the cast to play Mahesh Babu's grandfather in the film.[24] Later Jayaram joined the cast.[25] In April, Jagapathi Babu was reported to play "a very endearing yet scary" character.[26]
Principal photography commenced on 12 September 2022 with an action sequence in Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad.[27] The first schedule, involving high-octane stunts choreographed by Anbariv duo,[28] was later completed in the same month.[29] However it was later confirmed by the producers that the fight was scrapped.[30] The second schedule was planned to commence after Dussehra festivities in Ramoji Film City with Hegde joining the sets.[27] The shooting was then halted with Trivikram making modifications to the script and converted the action thriller film into a "family entertainer".[28]
The second schedule started on 18 January 2023 in Sarathi Studios, Hyderabad.[31] Hegde joined the sets with filming taking place in Hyderabad.[32] In February, team constructed a house set spending ₹10 crore at Shankarpalli, Telengana in Hyderabad.[33] In March, Jayaram joined the sets.[34] The second schedule was wrapped on 6 April.[35] After shooting more than 50% of the film, the cinematographer of the film, P. S. Vinod, left, owing to creative differences. Following this development, Manoj Paramahamsa was announced as his replacement for the film. The third schedule began on 24 June.[36] Principal photography wrapped on 28 December 2023.[37]
Guntur Kaaram | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 2024 | |||
Recorded | 2022–2023 | |||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Length | 14:47 | |||
Language | Telugu | |||
Label | Aditya Music | |||
Producer | Thaman S | |||
Thaman S chronology | ||||
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Singles from Guntur Kaaram | ||||
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Thaman S. composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film, in his fifth collaboration with Babu after Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Aagadu (2014), and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022); third collaboration with Trivikram after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020).[38] Thaman started the work on the film's music in June 2022.[39] The first single "Dum Masala" was released on 7 November 2023.[40] The second single "Oh My Baby" was released on 13 December 2023.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Dum Masala" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Sanjith Hegde, Jyoti Nooran | 3:27 |
2. | "Oh My Baby" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Shilpa Rao | 2:36 |
3. | "Kurchi Madathapetti" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Sri Krishna, Sahiti Chaganti | 3:37 |
4. | "Mawaa Enthaina" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Ramachary Komanduri, Sri Krishna, Rahul Sipligunj | 2:32 |
5. | "Ramana Aei" | Gongura (T), Trivikram | Gotte Kanakavva | 2:35 |
Total length: | 14:47 |
On 31 May 2023, first glimpse was released, on the occasion of Babu's father Krishna's 80th birth anniversary, which was attached with Mosagallaku Mosagadu 4K re-release in theatres.[41] The film's official trailer was released on 7 January 2023.[42]
Guntur Kaaram is scheduled to release worldwide on 12 January 2024. Originally intended for a theatrical release on 28 April 2023, the film's launch was first deferred to 11 August 2023, and then to 13 January 2024, to coinciding with Sankranti. Eventually, the release date was advanced to 12 January 2024.
The digital distribution rights were acquired by Netflix, while the satellite rights were bought by Gemini TV.[43]
The film received generally negative reviews from critics criticizing its direction, screenplay, plot, background score and soundtrack, but Babu's performance was praised.[44]
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Mahesh Babu, in top-notch form, is the sole redeeming factor in Trivikram's unnecessarily prolonged film, preventing it from becoming a tedious watch."[45] BVS Prakash from Deccan Chronicle gave 2/5 stars and wrote "director Trivikram Srinvas fails to come up with a solid script to justify the larger-than-life image of Mahesh Babu."[46]
Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "the film was a two-and-half hour-long advertisement for the Vijayawada-Hyderabad expressway. Not to mention additional brand placements for Greater Hyderabad's outer ring road. Outside of an expansive B-roll displaying well-maintained roads in not one but two Telugu states, the rest of Guntur Kaaram is mere filler."[47]
Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times called it a "bland film" and wrote "Guntur Kaaram feels like a wasted opportunity. The film could’ve either been a tearjerker or a commercial masala film, but the way it is now, it just hangs in an unsatisfactory limbo. And that's a shame because Mahesh gives the film his all. If only Trivikram could break out of the box he seems to have created for himself."[48] Reviewing the film, Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Director Trivikram Srinivas and Mahesh Babu’s ‘Guntur Kaaram’ is a stale rehash of old stories".[49]
Guntur Kaaram collected a gross of ₹46 crore (US$5.8 million) in India[50] and ₹67–79.03 crore worldwide on its opening day.[51][52] It grossed over ₹108 crore in three days, emerged as second highest grosser of the year.[53]
A unpredictable yet charismatic man takes on underground political factions in this Telugu language action drama.
Overall, "Guntur Kaaram" can be classified as a formulaic commercial family entertainer. While the film avoids gratuitous violence commonly found in today's big star movies, it suffers from outdated sequences and a lack of emotional depth. There is no humor either. The film largely hinges on Mahesh Babu's star power and his performance.
On the whole, Guntur Kaaram manages to entertain in parts, relying heavily on Mahesh Babu's screen presence, accent, and one-liners. However, its drawbacks, including a thin storyline, sluggish screenplay, and superfluous scenes, may limit its broader appeal. While Guntur Kaaram may not impress all sections of the audience this Sankranthi season, Mahesh Babu fans may find it watchable thanks to the actor's one-man show in an energetic and charismatic avatar.
Guntur Kaaram Review: Mahesh Babu Fights An Uphill Battle Against A Soulless Script.You see, with Guntur Kaaram, the idea is great, and the emotional beats were all there but somehow, they don't come together to make a strong impact.
"Guntur Kaaram" is a mediocre movie overall. The aspects that give it some appeal are Mahesh Babu's portrayal, his dialogue delivery, and his dance. which managed to rescue the film to a degree. However, the second half of the movie is dull and negates the somewhat positive impact of the first half. Trivikram's distinctive style is noticeably absent in this film. Additionally, in terms of production value, this film is notably the least expensive among Mahesh Babu's films.
Overall, Guntur Kaaram can be watched once with low expectations during the festive season, without expecting much originality, action, or emotions, other than Mahesh's energy.
Overall, "Guntur Kaaram" can be classified as a formulaic commercial family entertainer. While the film avoids gratuitous violence commonly found in today's big star movies, it suffers from outdated sequences and a lack of emotional depth. There is no humor either. The film largely hinges on Mahesh Babu's star power and his performance."Review : Guntur Kaaram – Medium spicy". 12 January 2024.
On the whole, Guntur Kaaram manages to entertain in parts, relying heavily on Mahesh Babu's screen presence, accent, and one-liners. However, its drawbacks, including a thin storyline, sluggish screenplay, and superfluous scenes, may limit its broader appeal. While Guntur Kaaram may not impress all sections of the audience this Sankranthi season, Mahesh Babu fans may find it watchable thanks to the actor's one-man show in an energetic and charismatic avatar."Guntur Kaaram Review: Mahesh Babu Fights An Uphill Battle Against A Soulless Script". 12 January 2024.
Guntur Kaaram Review: Mahesh Babu Fights An Uphill Battle Against A Soulless Script.You see, with Guntur Kaaram, the idea is great, and the emotional beats were all there but somehow, they don't come together to make a strong impact."Guntur Kaaram Movie Review – Trivikram Disappoints!". 12 January 2024.
"Guntur Kaaram" is a mediocre movie overall. The aspects that give it some appeal are Mahesh Babu's portrayal, his dialogue delivery, and his dance. which managed to rescue the film to a degree. However, the second half of the movie is dull and negates the somewhat positive impact of the first half. Trivikram's distinctive style is noticeably absent in this film. Additionally, in terms of production value, this film is notably the least expensive among Mahesh Babu's films."Guntur Kaaram Review: Spiceless". 12 January 2024.
Overall, Guntur Kaaram can be watched once with low expectations during the festive season, without expecting much originality, action, or emotions, other than Mahesh's energy.
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