Athadu

Athadu (transl. Him) is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The film features an ensemble cast of Mahesh Babu, Trisha, Sonu Sood, Sayaji Shinde, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Sunil, Rahul Dev and Brahmanandam.[1] It was produced by D. Kishore and M. Ram Mohan under the Jayabheri Arts banner while actor Murali Mohan was the presenter of the film. Story, Screenplay and Dialogues were penned by Srinivas while Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Viswa penned the lyrics for the songs. The soundtrack was scored by Mani Sharma. K. V. Guhan handled the cinematography of the film while Sreekar Prasad edited it. Thota Tharani was the art director of the film while Peter Hein was the stunt and fight choreographer.

Athadu
Movie Poster
Directed byTrivikram Srinivas
Produced byD. Kishore
M. Ram Mohan
Written byTrivikram Srinivas
StarringMahesh Babu
Trisha
Sonu Sood
Sayaji Shinde
Kota Srinivasa Rao
Prakash Raj
Nassar
Sunil
Rahul Dev
Brahmanandam
Music byMani Sharma
CinematographyK. V. Guhan
Edited bySreekar Prasad
Production
company
Release date
  • 10 August 2005 (2005-08-10)
Running time
172 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

The film went on to become one of the highest grossing Telugu films in and marked Mahesh Babu's career resurgence after a few unsuccessful films.[2] It won 3 Nandi Awards and a Filmfare Awards South in Best Director category. It was later remade in Hindi as Ek and in Bengali as Wanted starring Jeet and Srabanti. Over the years, the film has attained a cult status.

Plot

Professional hitman Nanda "Nandu" Gopal (Mahesh Babu) is contracted for a failed assassination attempt on opposition leader Shiva Reddy (Sayaji Shinde) as part of the latter's plan to become Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister through sympathy. However, before Nandu pulls the trigger, Shiva Reddy is fatally shot. With escape strategist / partner-in-crime Malli (Sonu Sood) dying in a road accident and police surrounding the high-rise building he was in within minutes, Nandu is forced to the top of the roof and jumps off the building onto a train. In one of the compartments, he meets Pardhasaradhi "Pardhu" (Rajiv Kanakala), who was returning to his village, Basarlapudi, after running away 12 years ago. Later that same night, the police arrives at Gudivada, where the train is running 20 minutes late. The SI of the search party takes a shot at Nandu, but Pardhu accidentally comes in the way and is shot instead, resulting in Nandu escaping in the ensuing search.

Nandu arrives at Basarlapudi, and thinking that he is Pardhu, the latter's family takes Nandu into their family, with Pardhu's cousin and to-be fiancée Poori (Trisha), constantly trying to get his attention. As Nandu grows closer to his new family, he solves many of their problems: He solves a land dispute and pays for his cousin's marriage to prevent his family from selling their land to pay for it. He also gains insight into their lives: A scene involving Pardhu's grandfather, Satya Narayana Murthy (Nassar), catching his grandkids playing with a family gun leads to him telling Nandu that that Pardhu's father died from a ricocheting bullet caused by stone being stuck in the barrel, similar to the marbles that the kids play with. Nandu also aids a family whose son's death was indirectly caused by Pardhu (which was what made Pardhu run away). With Pardhu's closest friend, Ramana (Sunil), participating in the act, Nandu discloses his identity to him in a subsequent conversation. Nandu also eventually reciprocates Poori's love, telling her that he doesn't know what living with a family feels like, and is slowly learning to embrace all of them.

Meanwhile, CBI Officer Anjaneya Prasad (Prakash Raj) is handed the case of Shiva Reddy's murder. Investigating the crime scene and tracking Nandu's actions leads him to Basarlapudi to meet "Pardhu" (Nandu). Hoping to match his fingerprints to the gun present at the crime scene, Prasad interrogates Nandu and tries to get his fingerprints, but is outsmarted. Subsequent investigation leads him to the accident that prevented Nandu from escaping; however, probing into that angle reveals that both vehicles involved in the accident (Malli's car and a petrol tanker) were hired by Malli, resulting in another dead end. But talking with ex-gangster Sadhu (Rahul Dev) reveals that Malli and Nandu both worked with him, with Malli planning the escape and Nandu doing the job. Further interrogation reveals that professional killers keep their stash in banks, and Prasad locates Nandu's bank account by searching for accounts that witness a spike in the days leading to Shiva Reddy's assassination. He learns of a transfer that took place recently, and heads to the destination bank to discover Nandu's masquerade as Pardhu - the transfer was a 10 lakh cheque encashed by Murthy for the marriage. Calling Nandu by his real name tricks him and results in Prasad and his team arriving at Pardhu's house to apprehend him. Though Nandu escapes, Prasad reveals everything to Murthy, leaving the entire family shocked and angry.

Later, Nandu returns amidst outrage from the other family members for his betrayal, and tells Murthy that he lied because he couldn't bring himself to tell him about Pardhu's death. He also explains that though he lied, he never cheated the family and surrendered to their emotions, whether insults or love. Murthy takes him into the study, where he emphasizes that by surrendering to their emotions and acting as a true member of the family, Nandu is his grandson, his "Pardhu", in his eyes. Murthy hands the family gun to Nandu, urging him to fight whoever was responsible for framing him as the murderer of Shiva Reddy. By threatening Shiva Reddy's colleague, Baji Reddy (Kota Srinivasa Rao), Nandu learns that Baji Reddy hired Malli to kill Shiva Reddy in a move to become Chief Minister. Letting Baji Reddy that he recorded the conversation, he heads to Malli's location; Prasad and team see him at an intersection and one of Prasad's colleagues, Ravi (Ravi Prakash), tries to shoot him, but Nandu manages to escape, leaving Prasad forcing Ravi to tell him why he shot Nandu. When Nandu meets Malli, Malli reveals that he took Baji Reddy's deal to kill two birds with one stone: Get more money from the job, as well as put the blame on Nandu. A shooting ensues between the two, with another obstacle appearing in the form of police. Eventually the two face to face, and though Nandu's gun is out of ammo, Malli kills himself by using the family gun - the bullet ricochets because of one of the kids' pebbles in the barrel.

When Prasad arrives at the scene, he receives the recording from Nandu, and subsequently threatens to tell Shiva Reddy's son, Pratap Reddy (Ajay) about Baji Reddy's crime, and Baji Reddy kills himself. Nandu immerses Pardhu's ashes and meets up with Prasad, who effectively clearing Nandu's name by placing the blame on Baji Reddy, leaving Nandu to return to Basarlapudi.

Cast

Production

Development

In an interview to the media about his film Julai, Trivikram shared his views on this film stating :

I narrated the story of Athadu to Mahesh Babu before the start of Nuvve Nuvve shoot. Before making of Athadu, I fixed myself that I should not compromise at any cost. I wanted to make the film the way I envisioned it. I wanted to satisfy the audience in me after shooting every scene. I doubled checked each and every scene as an audience. I could able to do 80% of what I had imagined when I wrote the script. If you look at the first 15 minutes of Athadu movie, you will realize the level of intensity and technical finesse.[3]

Casting

Initially Trivikram wanted to do this film with Pawan Kalyan and narrated the script.But he did not show much interest in signing the film and also slept during script narration.[1][4] Mahesh Babu listened to the script of this film in 2002 but Trvikram and the film's producers had to wait for him till he completes the shooting schedules of S. J. Surya's science fiction film Naani and Gunasekhar's family drama Arjun as they were his existing commitments then. The shooting started a month later after the completion of Arjun. For his characterization and the dialogues uttered by the character he played, Mahesh had to adjust to Trivikram's style of dialogues which took 10 days. Trisha Krishnan was selected for the leading female role. In an interview to the media on 29 June 2005 at the event of audio release stated that she would be seen in a role with shades of comedy though she added that her role was a limited one.[5]

Murali Mohan later revealed that he wanted his friend and former Telugu actor Sobhan Babu to play the role of Satya Narayana Murthy which would have marked his comeback film who was busy with a highly profitable real estate business then. For the same, Murali Mohan even issued and sent a blank cheque to Sobhan Babu's residence at Chennai as the remuneration. But Sobhan Babu refused to do that role and rejected the offer politely. Later, Nassar portrayed that role with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam dubbing for him in frail voice and his performance was appreciated by critics.[6]

Filming

For the film's shoot, 160 motion cameras were imported from London to shoot time-freeze effect shots in action sequences which was clarified by Mahesh himself as still cameras only. Because of non compromising, not more than 10 shots were shot per day. 4 to 5 complicated action sequences were shot under supervision of Peter Hein with much finesse and the climax sequence was shot indoor which took enormous time to complete thus making the principal photography end after a span of two years.[5] A big set was constructed at Ramanaidu Studios in Nanakramguda at Hyderabad where most of the film's family scenes were shot.[7] On 7 August 2004, a scene featuring Mahesh and Sunil was shot on the bridge of the lake at ICRISAT campus in Hyderabad.[8]

Soundtrack
Athadu
Soundtrack album by
Mani Sharma
Released29 June 2005
Recorded2005
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length29:52
LanguageTelugu
LabelMaruthi Music
ProducerMani Sharma
Mani Sharma chronology
Narasimhudu
(2005)		 Athadu
(2005)		 Allari Pidugu
(2005)

Mani Sharma composed the music for this film marking his first collaboration with Trivikram Srinivas and eighth collaboration with Mahesh Babu. The film's soundtrack was released by Mahesh Babu's father and prominent Telugu actor Krishna on 29 June 2005 at the house set of the film constructed at Nanakramguda through Maruthi Music label. This album consists of six melodies composed by Mani Sharma while Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Viswa penned the lyrics. Apart from Krishna, the film's lead pair, producers and Maruthi Music representatives attended the event.[7]

The audio received moderately positive response from critics. IndiaGlitz wrote "Mani Sharma has tried to please all. If you are going to compare this one with his previous offerings for Mahesh, it does not do any one any good. On its own, the album has its moments."[9] Upon the film's release, Mani Sharma's work was acclaimed by the critics and audience alike. IndiaGlitz wrote "Mani Sharma's music, especially the title song, is very good. His re-recording also fits the bill."[10] idlebrain.com wrote "Music by Mani Sharma is good. The picturization of the first song which comes as background song for titles is wonderful. Neetho Cheppana song has got typical Mexican music. Background music and rerecording of the film is good."[11] Sify.com wrote "The highlights of Athadu are the camerawork of K. V. Guhan and the melodious music and background score of Mani Sharma. The Neeto Chappana number picturised in the tea estates of Darjeeling is the pick of the album."[12] Songs Sung By Eminent Singers Like S. P. Balu, K. S. Chithra, Kavita Krishnamurti, Shreya Ghoshal, Mahalakshmi Iyer, KK etc

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Adharaka"ViswaViswa, Suchithra4:57
2."Pillagali"SirivennelaShreya Ghoshal4:26
3."Avunu Nijam"SirivennelaK.K, Sunitha4:27
4."Chandamama"SirivennelaMahalakshmi Iyer, Ranjith3:55
5."Neetho Cheppana"SirivennelaK.S. Chithra, SPB5:12
6."Pilichina Raanantaava"SirivennelaKarthik, Kavita Krishnamurthy4:21

Release

Domestic

The film released in 79 centers in Nizam region in Andhra Pradesh and was distributed by Maruthi Movies in which 3 centers screened the film for only 2 days. The film released in 24 centers across Visakhapatnam and was distributed by Sri Venkateswara Films. Sri Bharathi Pictures released the film in Krishna district in 18 centers.[13] The film was released simultaneously in 3 screens in Chennai and it was also the first Telugu film to do so.[14][15]

Overseas

The film was released with 6 prints in United States and was distributed by Vishnu Mudda and Soma Kancherla of Crown DVD distribution company in San Jose, Dallas, Detroit, Virginia, New Jersey, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Minneapolis, Phoenix at Arizona and also in centers like Lowell at Massachusetts, MA, Tulsa at Oklahoma, West Virginia, Springfield, Boulder at Colorado and Corpus Christi at South Texas. Because of the demand, another print was imported from India for screening.[16][17] The film's first screening in USA happened at Cine Plaza 13 at North Bergen on the night of 11 August 2005.[18] At Connecticut, a special screening was conducted on 19 August 2005. Initially one show was planned but because of the demand another show was screened. There at the theater, a turn out of 442 people was observed which included standing audience for 434 seats and about 60 could not be accommodated.[19] Apart from USA, the film released in selected screens in United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany and Australia.[17]

Home media

The DVD of the movie was released by Aditya Music under its Aditya Video Brand and won the best DVD award for its quality and is considered to be one of the highest sold DVDs in Tollywood history. After 7 years, Star Maa renewed the contract by paying an amount of ₹3.5 crores which was a record price for a 2005 Telugu film.[20]

Dubbed versions and remakes
Athadu
(2005)

Telugu

 Ek: The Power of One
(2009)

Hindi

 Wanted
(2010)

Bengali

 The Power of One
(2013)
Urdu
Mahesh Babu

(Nandagopal/Nandu)

 Bobby Deol

(Nandkumar/Nandu)

 Jeet

(Rajkumar Banerjee/Raja)

 Zain (Sooraj)
Trisha

(Poori)

 Shriya Saran

(Preeth)

 Srabanti Chatterjee

(Pooja)

 Yumna Zaidi (Kiran)
Prakash Raj

(CBI Anjaneya Prasad)

 Nana Patekar

(CBI Nandkumar Rane)

 Sharad Kapoor

(CBI Salim Ali Khan

 Waseem Vohra (Sahil Khan)

Despite the remakes in different languages the film was dubbed in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, English, and Polish as Nandhu, Cheetah: The Power of One (2013), Target, The Power of One, and Poszukiwany respectively.

Reception

Critical reception

Sify.com stated, "The highlight of the film is Mahesh Babu who looks cool, confident and competent as a hit man with his expressive body language and mannerisms. Athadu just about makes it as a slickly packaged entertainer but only for want of a better alternative."[12] IndiaGlitz gave a review stating "The story sure has splendid potential, but the director does not use them to the hilt simply because he attempts to do too many things almost simultaneously. Yet, all things considered, Athadu is a good entertainer. The problem is you can't praise it as the best yet cannot rubbish it as being useless. It is somewhere in between with more pluses than minuses."[10] Cinegoer.net gave a review stating "True the film gives an image of a Hollywood base for the drama. Even the taking, screenplay structure and execution of scenes, less talk and more action – all add to this image. But there are elements in this film that only a Telugu man can do it originally. That is the love track. And the way Trivikram put to view the scenic structure between Mahesh Babu and Trisha is impressive and refreshing."[21]

Box office

The film netted ₹ 1 million from 3 screens in Chennai in its opening weekend debuting at second position pushing Shankar's Anniyan down to the third place.[15] It collected approximately ₹220 million (US$3.1 million) in its total run.[2] The film had a 50 days run in 205 centers[22] and a 100-day run in 38 centres.[23] The film had a 175-day run in Sudarshan 35 mm, Hyderabad, grossing ₹ 1.40 crores from the theater.,[2][24]

Awards
Ceremony Category Nominee Result
Nandi Awards Best Actor Mahesh Babu Won
Best Dialogue Writer Trivikram Srinivas Won
Best Special Effects C. H. Srinivas Won
Filmfare Awards South Best Director Trivikram Srinivas Won
Santosham Film Awards Best Film D. Kishore and M. Ram Mohan Won
gollark: http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/college-tuition.png
gollark: I mean, probably a decent amount, but not "oh bees it costs ten times more now" quantities.
gollark: There's probably some information on this. How much of their budgets is in fact spent on sports?
gollark: ···
gollark: That seems like a very lacking explanation.

References
  1. "Pawan Kalyan Was To Play Mahesh Babu's Role In Athadu". Oneindia Entertainment. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  2. "CineGoer.com – News Archives – January 2006". 2 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2 March 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2017.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  3. "Interview with Trivikram". idlebrain.com. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  4. "Pawan Kalyan, not Mahesh Babu was first choice for Athadu?". The Hans India. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  5. "Chitchat with Mahesh Babu & Trisha". idlebrain.com. 29 June 2005. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  6. "King of Kings : Shoban babu 6th Vardanthi". apherald.com. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  7. "Audio release – Athadu". idlebrain.com. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  8. "Chit Chat with Mahesh Babu". idlebrain.com. 9 August 2004. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  9. "Athadu – Good, on its own". IndiaGlitz. 4 July 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  10. "Athadu – Guns and roses". IndiaGlitz. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  11. "Athadu movie review". idlebrain.com. 10 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  12. "Movie Review : Athadu". Sify.com. 10 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  13. "Athadu release centers". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  14. "The assassin". The Hindu. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  15. Chennai Box-Office (Aug 12–15). Sify.com (16 August 2005). Retrieved on 2015-07-23.
  16. "Athadu in USA". idlebrain.com. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  17. "Cycle Stand – Telugu Cinema Trade Story : Mahesh Babu's ATHADU sensation in USA". idlebrain.com. 16 September 2005. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  18. "The experience of watching Athadu in New Jersey". idlebrain.com. 12 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  19. "The experience of watching Athadu in CT". idlebrain.com. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  20. "Mahesh's Athadu satellite rights: MAA TV pays Rs 3.5 crores". The Hans India. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  21. "Inspired By Hollywood Flicks". cinegoer.net. 12 August 2005. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  22. Athadu 50 days centres Archived 6 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Idlebrain.com. Retrieved on 23 July 2015.
  23. Nonstopcinema Box Office – Athadu 100 days centers : Telugu movies, tollywood, cinema. Nonstopcinema.com. Retrieved on 23 July 2015.
  24. Box-Office Records And Collections – Maheshbabu's 75-Day Centres List. CineGoer.com. Retrieved on 23 July 2015.
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