Rudhramadevi (film)

Rudhramadevi is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language-language 3D biographical action film based on the life of Rudrama Devi, one of the prominent rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty in the Deccan, and one of the few ruling queens in Indian history.[2][3] The film written and directed by Gunasekhar features Anushka Shetty in a titular role as Rudramadevi,[4] alongside an ensemble cast of Allu Arjun, Rana Daggubati, Krishnam Raju, Prakash Raj, Suman, Nithya Menen, Adithya, and Catherine Tresa. The film is narrated by Chiranjeevi.[5] The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Rudhramadevi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGunasekhar
Produced byGunasekhar
Raagini Guna
Neelima Guna
Yukthamukhi
Written byGunasekhar
StarringAnushka Shetty
Allu Arjun
Rana Daggubati
Krishnam Raju
Prakash Raj
Narrated byChiranjeevi
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyAjayan Vincent
Edited bySreekar Prasad
Production
company
Distributed byGunaa Team Works
Release date
  • 9 October 2015 (2015-10-09)
Running time
157 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹80 crore[1]
Box officeest. ₹90 crore[1]

Rudhramadevi was released worldwide on 9 October 2015, with dubbed versions in Hindi and Malayalam languages. The Tamil version[6] was released by Sri Thenandal Films on 16 October.[7] The film became the fifth highest opening day grossing Indian film of 2015.[8][9][10] It grossed ₹32 crores worldwide in the opening weekend.[11][12][13]

Plot

Ganapatideva (Krishnam Raju) is the emperor of the Kakatiya dynasty who rules Kakatiya Empire from Orugallu (present day Warangal, Telangana) as its capital city. There are only two threats to Ganapati's rule. Murari Devudu (Adithya Menon) and Hari Hara Devudu (Suman), dukes of Kakatiya, are both obviously unsatisfied with Ganapati's reign, and plot to usurp the throne. Emperor Singhana of the Devagiri Empire also wishes to conquer the Kakatiyas and name his grandson and heir, Mahadeva, as king. Meanwhile, Ganapati's wife is pregnant. Everyone prays for a boy child, because a prince can repel the Devagiri Empire and serve as a successor to the throne. A priest working for Murari and Hari Hara predicts Ganapati's baby will be a girl who will be the savior of the kingdom.

Ganapati's baby indeed turns out to be a girl, Rudramadevi (Anushka Shetty). Her birth disappoints Ganapati, who, being helpless, takes advice from his prime minister, Shiva Devaiah (Prakash Raj), to announce the baby to be a boy – Rudrama. Murari and Hari Hara go mad after hearing the news that Ganapati gets a prince, a successor to be of the crown; they then angrily kill the priest who predicted Rudrama would be a girl before “his” birth. Rudrama's gender and real name are kept secret from every people other than Ganapati, his wife and Shiva Devaiah; even Rudramadevi herself does not know she's a girl in her childhood.

Rudrama is then brought up and trained in prince's manner. After a few years of training, Rudrama is summoned back to Oragallu for her coronation as the crown prince. At her coronation, she befriends Chalukya Veerabhadra (Rana Daggubati), a neighborhing prince, and forms a friendly rivalry with Gona Ganna Reddy (Allu Arjun), another neighboring prince. She sneaks out of the capital along with Chalukya to bathe in the river. She realizes her gender when she sees an elegant statue of a beautiful woman. After seeing the boys disrobe, she realizes that her body is different from theirs. She then runs to her mother angrily and confusedly to ask the reason for hiding her real gender; her mother confesses the story and tells her the reason was to protect the kingdom. In front of her parents and Shiva Devaiah, Rudrama swears to continue living as a boy until the kingdom's safety is assured.

Years later, in a sporting event, Naga Devudu, the nephew of Murari and Hari Hara, fails to subdue a raging elephant. Murari and Hari Hara challenge Rudrama to defeat the elephant. Rudrama accepts, however she is unaware that Murari and Hari Hara have rigged the competition so no one can win. Despite this, Rudrama wins the challenge, making her adored by several princesses in the scene, including Muktamba (Nithya Menen). Gona Ganna Reddy, one of Rudrama's playmates in childhood and who was then thrown out of the palace and is now called a traitor, shows up in the scene to confront Rudrama. Gona is now the leader of an opposition army which has been a threat to Ganapati's position. He manages to escape when Ganapati's army tries to arrest him.

Ganapati, unable to escape from the pressure from inside and outside his palace, decides to get Rudrama married to a princess, and he chooses Muktamba. On their wedding night, Rudrama, in order to protect her secret, tells Muktamba that she has taken a vow of celibacy until the kingdom is safe. The conversation is tapped by a spy of Murari and Hari Hara, and she tells it to the two, making the secret and the fame of the Ganapati's family in danger.

The two plan to reveal the secret and use it as an excuse to force Ganapati off the throne, however before they can do so, Shiva Devaiah decides to reveal the secret to the people.

Shiva Devaiah then announces Rudramadevi's real identity and her to be the queen of the kingdom. The people of Kakatiya, after knowing Ganapati has cheated them for many years, become angry and unsatisfied and strongly object. Rudramadevi is not accepted by the people to be their queen and is hence driven out of the kingdom. Ganapati also loses the trust and support of his people because of this. Murari and Hari Hara take this chance to launch a coup using the secret passageway. They then proclaim that they will rule Oragallu in Mahadeva's name, while maintaining their own power. Before Murari and Hari Hara can kill Shiva Deviah, he has a heart attack and dies.

It doesn't take too long for the people to realize that who deserves to rule the kingdom, as Murari and Hari Hara start to prosecute them with higher tax rate and unprecedented cruelty and aristocracy soon after they take power. The desperate people along with Shiva Devaiah (who faked his death) then turn to Rudramadevi to apologize and for help. Rudramadevi then forms these people as an opposition army to fight against her own kingdom's army.

Rudramadevi and her army meet Gona Ganna Reddy's army on her way, who is surprisingly not about to attack her, but to help her get her crown back. It is revealed that Gona, who noticed Rudramadevi was a girl in their childhood, is not a traitor but a most loyal warrior of the kingdom. He had already expected that Rudramadevi would lose her power and be driven out of the kingdom one day, so he left the palace, pretending to be driven out for being a traitor, to form his own army to wait for the day.

After they join hands, their united army is greater and stronger than that of Murari and Hari Hara and beats the latter. They also repel and defeat the Devagiri Empire. Rudramadevi then gets her crown back, marries Chalukya and becomes the first queen in South Indian history.

Cast

Production
Thousand Pillar Temple where the filming commenced.

Director Gunasekhar readied a script based on the life of Rani Rudramadevi. Anushka, Nayanthara and Priyanka Chopra were considered for the title role but Anushka was signed based on her performance in Arundhati. Gunasekhar selected Ilaiyaraja to compose the music and Thotta Tharani for art direction. The film is made on a budget of ₹80 crore (US$11 million).[1] Mahesh Babu and Jr. NTR were first approached for the role of Gona Ganna Reddy, but both of them rejected the offer. Later, Allu Arjun was eventually selected to do the role.[14] Neeta Lulla designed the costumes.[15] Rapper Baba Sehgal was roped in by director Gunasekhar for a role.[16] Vikramjeet Virk, who earlier played a negative role in Ashutosh Gowarikar's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010) and in Puri Jagannadh's 2014 film Heart Attack, was selected for playing a negative character named Mahadeva Nayakadu.[17]

The filming was started on 14 February 2013 in Warangal. The first shot was shot at the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal.[18] Final schedule of shoot ended in July 2014.[17]

Release

The film's official trailer was released on 2 March 2015.[19] The film was slated to be released on 26 June 2015,[20] but it was but postponed to 9 October due to technical problems.[21] Telangana state has given entertainment tax exemption for the film.[22]

HeroTalkies has legally released Rudhramadevi in 2D and 3D formats to overseas customers who have 3D TVs.[23]

Reception

Critical response

Upon release, the film received positive reviews, with critics praising the direction, narration, and Anushka's performance.[9][10] Belvoir Eagle gave the film 3.5/5 rating,[24] and Kiaara Sindu of The Hans India rated 4/5.[25]

Box office

The film became the fifth highest opening day grossing Indian film of 2015.[8] It grossed ₹32 crore (US$4.5 million) in its first weekend at the domestic box office,[26] and ₹57.62 crore (US$8.1 million) in its first week.[27] The worldwide collection exceeded ₹81.77 crore (US$11 million) in 17 days[28] and ₹83 crore (US$12 million) in 21 days.[29] The worldwide gross was ₹90 crore (US$13 million) in 35 days.[1]

The Hindi dubbed version collected ₹15 crore (US$2.1 million) nett from its two weeks of release.[30] The film had an overseas collection of $990,772 in 24 days,[31] and $993,837 in 31 days.[32]

Awards and nominations
Year Category Award Film Results Winner
2015 Ugadi Award for Best Actress Ugadi Awards 2016 Rudhramadevi Won Anushka Shetty
Best actress Apsara Awards 2016 Won
Entertainer of the Year Apsara Awards 2016 Won
CineMAA Award for Best Actress CineMAA Awards Won
Best Actress Bharatamuni Awards Won
Best Actress - Critics Choice SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Won
Best Actress SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Nominated
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Filmfare Awards South Won
Santosham Best Actress Award Santosham Film Awards Won
Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Supporting role – Telugu Filmfare Awards South Won Allu Arjun
Best Actor - Critics choice SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016 Won
Best Actor SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Nominated
CineMAA Award for Best Actor-Jury CineMAA Awards Won
Best Character Actor Nandi Awards Won
CineMAA Award for Appreciation CineMAA Awards Won Gunasekhar
Santosham Best Film Award Santosham Film Awards Won
Best Director- Telugu SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Nominated
Best Movie-Telugu SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Nominated
Best Actor in supporting role female - Telugu SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) 2016[33] Nominated Nithya Menen
2nd IIFA Utsavam
  • Performance in a Leading Role - Female - Anushka Shetty - nominated
  • Performance in a Supporting Role - Male - Allu Arjun - won
  • Performance in a Supporting Role - Female - Nithya Menen - nominated
  • Performance in a Negative Role - Vikramjeet Virk - nominated
  • Best Make up - won
  • Best Costume Design - won
  • Best Lyrics - Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry - "Madagajame" - nominated
  • Best Playback Singer - Male - Hariharan - "Avuna Neevena" - nominated
  • Best Playback Singer - Female - Shreya Ghoshal - "Punnami Puvvai" - nominated

Soundtrack
Main article: Rudhramadevi (soundtrack)

The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The audio music was planned to release separately in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states having the Chief ministers of these states as chief guests. The songs were released simultaneously in Vishakapatnam and Warangal on 25 July 2015.[34][35] Deccan Music named it as the Best Telugu Album of the month.[36] The soundtrack for the Tamil version were released on 15 August 2015 and the Malayalam version was released on 4 September 2015, respectively.[37][38]

Legacy

Rudhramadevi is the first Telugu film to have its recording in London, United Kingdom. The garments and jewellery designed for the lead cast are available in NAC Jewellers in Chennai as Rudhramadevi Collections.

References
  1. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) grosses Rs 90 crore at box office in 35 days". International Business Times. 15 November 2015.
  2. Julius Jolly (1885) Outlines of an History of the Hindu Law of Partition, Inheritance, and Adoption:As Contained in the Original Sanskrit Treatises, Thacker, Spink and Company, pp. 144–150:
  3. Bilkees I. Latif (2010). Forgotten. Penguin Books India. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-14-306454-1.
  4. "Anushka to do a Tamil-Telugu period film?". Times of India. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  5. "Rudhramadevi Movie Database". Film Dhamaka. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  6. "Puli' box office collection: Will Anushka's 'Rudhramadevi' (Rudramadevi) affect Vijay starrer?". ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  7. "Tamil version of Rudhramadevi to release on October 16". Hindustan Times. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  8. "'Rudhramadevi' (Rudramadevi) 1st day box office collection: Gunasekhar film turns 6th biggest opener of 2015". International Business Times, India Edition. 10 October 2015.
  9. "Rudramadevi review: Lengthy but interesting period drama". The Indian Express. 10 October 2015.
  10. Special Correspondent. "Rudramadevi exempted from entertainment tax in TS". The Hindu.
  11. "Rudhramadevi box office collection: Anushka Shetty-starrer mints Rs 32 crore in the opening weekend". msn.com.
  12. "Rudhramadevi Box Office Collection". Box Office. 11 October 2015.
  13. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) grosses Rs 93.7 crore at box office in 35 days". International Business Times. 15 November 2015.
  14. "Anushka as a warrior princess". Deccan Chronicle. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  15. "German technicians to work for Rudrama Devi". Times of India. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  16. Prasad Shiva (3 April 2013). "Baba Sehgal in Anushka's film". Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  17. Afrin Humayon (4 May 2013). "Vikramjeet Virk lands in T'wood". Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  18. "Anushka – Guna Sekhar's Rudramadevi film launch". idlebrain.com. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  19. "Rudhramadevi official trailer crosses million hits". Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  20. "Rudrama Devi Release Date – Rudrama Devi Latest News – Rudrama Devi Mvie News – Allu Arjun Rana Rudrama Devi Latest News – Anushka Rudrama Devi Movie News – 123telugu.com". 123telugu.com.
  21. "Rudhramadevi postponed again". Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  22. "Rudramadevi gets tax exemption – Telugu cinema news". idlebrain.com.
  23. "Recent Tamil films release online". 15 November 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2017 – via www.thehindu.com.
  24. "Rudramadevi (Rudhramadevi) Movie Review and Rating: 3.5/5 , Allu Arjun, Anushka". BLR Eagle. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015.
  25. "Rudramadevi Review Out: UK Film Critic Gives 4 Star Rating – The Hans India". thehansindia.com.
  26. "'Rudhramadevi' Mints Rs.32 Crore In The Opening Weekend - Koimoi". 12 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  27. IBTimes. "'Rudhramadevi' (Rudramadevi) 1st week box office collection: Anushka film crosses Rs 55+ crore in 7 days". Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  28. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) 17-day box office collection: Anushka starrer set to cross Rs 100-crore mark". International Business Times. 28 October 2015.
  29. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) beats total collection record of Vijay's 'Puli' at US box office". International Business Times. 5 November 2015.
  30. "Jazbaa Has A Decent Opening Week - 1st Week Box Office Collections - Koimoi". 16 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  31. IBTimes. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) overseas box office collection: Anushka Shetty starrer earns $990,772 in 24 days". Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  32. IBTimes. "'Rudramadevi' (Rudhramadevi) collection crosses $993,837 at overseas box office in 31 days". Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  33. https://www.ibtimes.co.in%2Fsiima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list
  34. "Rudhramadevi songs". Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  35. "Rudramadevi to release 3 of its songs on July 25th". Sakshi. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  36. Best Telugu Songs and Albums of July 2015 Deccan Music – 31 July 2015
  37. "Rudhramadevi – Music Review (Telugu Movie Soundtrack)". Music Aloud. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  38. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GMO2rOMlfag
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