Ranarangam
Ranarangam (transl. Battlefield)[2] is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language crime thriller film written and directed by Sudheer Varma.[3] Produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi under his banner Sithara Entertainments, it features Sharwanand, Kajal Aggarwal and Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead roles. The film follows a non-linear narrative and chronicles the rise of a gangster and powerful liquor-baron, played by Sharwanand. The film was released on 15 August 2019. The film released to a mixed-to-positive critical reception, with praise directed at Sharwanand’s performance and Varma’s direction, but criticism directed at the pace of the narrative and the predictable storyline.[4] Despite a strong opening, the film was a commercial failure.[5]
| Ranarangam | |
|---|---|
 First look poster | |
| Directed by | Sudheer Varma |
| Produced by | Suryadevara Naga Vamsi |
| Written by | Sudheer Varma |
| Screenplay by | Sudheer Varma |
| Starring | Sharwanand Kajal Aggarwal Kalyani Priyadarshan |
| Music by | Prashant Pillai |
| Cinematography | Divakar Mani |
| Edited by | Naveen Nooli |
Production company | Shitara Entertainments |
| Distributed by | Harrika and Hassine Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 138 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Box office | est. ₹15.96 crore[1] |
Plot
The film opens in Spain, where Sanjay (Ajay), a contractor, with the help of an MLA from Visakhapatnam tries to convince Deva (Sharwanand) to clear a slum area which can be used for the construction of the Vizag International Airport, so that the value of the neighboring land, which is meant for the construction and belongs to Sanjay, will increase. Deva refuses the request. The film proceeds as Deva recounts the story of his rise from an illegal black market ticket seller to an international liquor baron.
In 1990s Visakhapatnam, Deva (Sharwanand) and his friends sell illegal black tickets for films. During this time, Deva falls in love with Gita (Kalyani Priyadarshan). When the prohibition of alcohol is announced in 1997, Deva decides to enter the illegal liquor business, smuggling alcohol from Orissa into the city and then selling it. In this process, Deva and his gang subsequently lock horns with MLA Simhachalam (Murli Sharma), another illegal liquor baron.
In the present, Deva and his daughter Sahasra (Preethi Alluri), become well acquainted with Gita (Kajal Aggarwal), a doctor. During an outing to a mall with Sahasra and Gita, an assassination attempt is made on Deva by Sanjay, who has colluded with Deva’s rivals in Spain and is being assisted by Simhachalam.
In the past, Deva and his gang are arrested and jailed for 6 months after being caught smuggling a truckload of liquor into the state. When they are released, they attack and steal a consignment of liquor belonging to Simhachalam. A slow shift in power takes place, as Deva bribes higher officials who were on Simhachalam’s payroll. In retribution, Simhachalam murders Deva’s friends and orchestrates a bomb-blast that kills his wife Gita, hours after she had given birth to Sahasra. A vengeful Deva goes on a killing-spree, finishing Simhachalam’s associates and shutting down his criminal empire, as Simhachalam himself goes into hiding.
In the present, Gita and Sahasra are kidnapped by Simhachalam in Deva’s absence. Deva agrees and flies to Visakhapatnam to meet Simhachalam. In a turn of events, it is revealed that Deva had secretly found and murdered Simhachalam 10 days after the latter had gone into hiding, and he is aware that the man pretending to be Simhachalam and orchestrating the scam is Deva’s own right-hand Suri (Raja Chembolu). Suri reveals that his thirst for power and jealousy that Deva rose above them all despite the business being all of theirs led to his betrayal. Suri’s men then attack him instead of Deva, revealing that they are working for the latter. Deva kills Suri and then moves back to Spain.
Cast
- Sharwanand as Deva
- Kajal Aggarwal as Gita
- Kalyani Priyadarshan as Gita
- Preethi Alluri as Sahasra (Deva's daughter)
- Murali Sharma as MLA Simhachalam
- Raja Chembolu as Suri
- Brahmaji as Home Minister
- Praveen as Deva's Assistant
- Ajay as Sanjay
- Aadarsh Balakrishna as Seshu
- Bhadram as Gita’s prospective groom
- Pankaj Kesari as Pankaj
Marketing and release
The first look poster of the film giving look of Sharwanand from the film was unveiled in May 2019.[6] Later first look teaser was released on YouTube on 25 May.[7]
The trailer of the film was released on YouTube on 4 August by Haarika & Hassine Creations.[8]
The film was released theatrically on 15 August 2019.[9]
Soundtrack
| Ranarangam | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Prashant Pillai, Karthik Rodriguez & Sunny M.R. | |||||
| Released | 10 August 2019 | ||||
| Recorded | 2018-2019 | ||||
| Studio | My Studio, Kochi | ||||
| Genre | Film soundtrack | ||||
| Label | Aditya Music | ||||
| |||||
| Singles from Ranarangam | |||||
| |||||
Prashant Pillai, Karthik Rodriguez and Sunny M.R. composed the soundtrack of the film, where the former composed the background score. All lyrics were penned by Krishna Chaitanya, except the song "Seetha Kalyanam" which was penned by Balaji. Aditya Music hold the rights to the music. The first single, "Seetha Kalyanam" sung by Srihari and written by Balaji was released on 4 July 2019. The second song "Kannu Kotti" both composed and sung by Karthik Rodriguez was released on 20 July 2019. The third single "Pilla Picture Perfect" composed by Sunny M.R. was released on 29 July 2019. The entire soundtrack album was released on 10 August 2019.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Seetha Kalyanam" | Balaji | Prashant Pillai | Sreehari K | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Pilla Picture Perfect" | Krishna Chaitanya | Sunny M.R. | Nikhita Gandhi | 3:35 |
| 3. | "Kannu Kotti" | Krishna Chaitanya | Karthik Rodriguez | Karthik Rodriguez | 2:39 |
| 4. | "Evaro Evaro" | Krishna Chaitanya | Prashant Pillai | Preethi Pillai | 4:16 |
| 5. | "Kummeyra" | Krishna Chaitanya | Karthik Rodriguez | Karthik Rodriguez | 3:33 |
Reception
The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "The kind of film that allows you to soak in its mindless beauty much before you realise it’s heading in a completely predictable direction".[10]
References
- "Tollywood Box office report - 2019: Highest grossing Telugu movies of the year". International Business Times. 22 December 2019.
- "Ranarangam review: A stylish battlefield". The Hindu. The Hindu. 15 August 2019.
- "Sudheer varma special set for his next movie". Times of India. Times of India. 19 March 2018.
- "Sharwanand's look in Ranarangam unveiled". Indian Express. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- https://m.tollywood.net/article/ranarangam-closing-worldwide-collections/56794/amp
- Neeshita Nyayapati (25 May 2019). "Sharwanand's 'Ranarangam' first look is badass!". Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- "Ranarangam First Look | Sharwanand, Kajal Aggarwal, Kalyani Priyadarshan | Sudheer Varma". YouTube. Aditya Music. 25 May 2019.
- "Ranarangam Theatrical Trailer - Sharwanand, Kajal Aggarwal, Kalyani Priyadarshan - Sudheer Varma". YouTube. Haarika & Hassine Creations. 4 August 2019.
- "Ranarangam to arrive on August 15". 17 July 2019.
- "RANARANGAM MOVIE REVIEW". TimesofIndia.
External links
- Ranarangam on IMDb