Wikipedia

Vikramarkudu

Vikramarkudu is a 2006 Indian Telugu-language action film co-written and directed by S. S. Rajamouli from a story written by V. Vijayendra Prasad and dialogues written by M. Rathnam. The film is produced by M. L. Kumar Chowdary under Sri Keerthi Creations. The film stars Ravi Teja and Anushka Shetty.[5] It follows a thief who discovers a girl insisting he is her father, while a series of events connect his life to her actual father, who is his look-alike. The film's music was composed by M. M. Keeravani with cinematography and editing by Sarvesh Murari and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao respectively.

Vikramarkudu
Theatrical release poster
Directed byS. S. Rajamouli
Written byStory:
V. Vijayendra Prasad
Screenplay:
S. S. Rajamouli
Dialogues:
M. Rathnam
Produced byM. L. Kumar Chowdary
Starring
CinematographySarvesh Murari
Edited byKotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music byM. M. Keeravani
Production
company
Sri Keerthi Creations
Release date
  • 23 June 2006 (2006-06-23) (India)
Running time
161 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹11 crore[2][3]
Box officeest. ₹18.9 crore
distributors' share[3][4]

Vikramarkudu was released on 23 June 2006 with 180 prints globally.[2] Made on a budget of ₹11 crore (US$2.4 million), Vikramarkudu was a commercial blockbuster earning a distributor share of ₹18.9 crore (US$4.17 million).[a][4][7][8] The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section.[9]

Vikramarkudu was a breakthrough film for Anushka Shetty. The film was first remade as Ulta Palta 69 (2007) in Bangladesh, then in Kannada as Veera Madakari (2009), in Tamil as Siruthai (2011), in Hindi as Rowdy Rathore (2012), in Indian Bengali as Bikram Singha (2012), and also in Bangladesh as Action Jasmine (2015) with a female lead.[10]

Plot

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Atthili Satthi Babu indulges in thievery with his uncle Duvva Abbulu in Hyderabad; he chances upon Neeraja Goswami, a resident of Devgarh, Madhya Pradesh in a wedding she has come to attend. He flirts with Neeraja, he pinched her waist to which she moans but pretended as if she doesn't like it. Satthi Babu admits his profession and promises to abandon robbing for good but resolves to exploit one last person to amass a massive amount of money. In the railway station, Satthi Babu and Abbulu deceive a woman, who entrusts them with a trunk they flee with. Mahanti, a police official, inspects the trunk and in it, he discovers Neha, a young girl, who presumes Satthi Babu to be her father; as Mahanti uncovers a portrait of Neha with Satthi Babu, he believes her and compels Satthi Babu to look after the child and tells him that he would keep monitoring them. As Satthi Babu unsuccessfully attempts to get rid of her, he perpetually resists Neeraja from stumbling upon the child.

Eventually, Satthi Babu empathises with Neha and begins to care for her; Neeraja and her parents overhear Neha addressing Satthi Babu as her father. Assuming that Satthi Babu has been deceiving her despite being the father of a daughter, Neeraja ends their relationship and departs. Later, goons attack Satthi Babu and Neha, misinterpreting the former to be Vikram Singh Rathore IPS, Neha's father and Satthi Babu's doppelgänger. Mahanti, Sub-inspector Razia (the woman who was carrying the trunk) and a few other police officials come to their rescue but they are overpowered. Subsequently, Vikram arrives to protect his daughter and Satthi Babu and kills all the goons but is severely wounded. In the hospital, Mahanti narrates Vikram's past to Satthi Babu and Abbulu.

In a flashback, Vikram receives his posting in Devgarh and relocates with Neha, his motherless daughter; he is introduced to his colleagues Mahanti and Razia. The inhabitants of Devgarh are tormented in the cruel reign of MLA Bavuji, a psychopath who carries out corruption, money laundering and several other illegal activities. His son Munna abducts Mahanti's wife and keeps molesting her. When Vikram discovers this, he rushes to rescue her and apprehends Munna, ignorant of Bavuji's influence. However, Bavuji is assisted by Home Minister. The DGP, succumbing to the Home Minister's pressure, warns Vikram of consequences, berating his fearlessness but he comes up with an intelligent answer and refuses to back off. Munna is proclaimed mentally unstable and acquitted of all the charges. A party is organised to celebrate his release and Vikram and his team are deputed to secure Munna during the party. Under the pretext of a game, Munna humiliates a police officer and forces him to disrobe himself but Rathore prompts him to slip due to bullets and hang to a belt, killing him. On Holi, Titla, Bavuji's brother, stabs Vikram under the guise of an idol and shoots him as he tries to protect a trapped kid. He is presumed to be dead but survives and sustains an injury in the brain. The villagers conceal his survival and he is moved to Hyderabad for treatment. To keep Neha in the dark about her father's condition, the police officials direct her to Satthi Babu upon discovering that he is Vikram's doppelgänger.

Presently, the doctors declare Vikram dead and everyone chooses to keep it hidden from Neha, who still believes Satthi Babu to be her father. To avenge Vikram's death, Satthi Babu returns to Devgarh, poses as Vikram and targets Bavuji. Abbulu and others reveal the truth to Neeraja, who apologises to Satthi Babu & reconciles with him and agrees to take care of Neha alongside him. Satthi Babu sets fire to Bavuji's wine factory and directs the villagers to rob his food storage. He defeats Bavuji's men and has him beaten up. Titla kidnaps Neha and Neeraja but Satthi Babu fights him and hangs him to death. Having settled scores, Satthi Babu leaves for a new life with Neeraja, Neha and Abbulu.

Cast

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Cameo appearances

Production

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The shooting was disrupted by quarry workers who started pelting the film's unit with stones, damaging most of the equipment and injuring some of the film crew, including the director Rajamouli. The quarry workers were asked, by the quarry manager, to stop their work and leave the area, for the shooting of particular scenes. What started as a small miff between the manager and the workers escalated with the workers showering stones, even as the film crew was leaving the quarry in their vehicles. The injured crew members were admitted to Apollo hospital. Director Rajamouli suffered a hairline fracture to his hand. A formal complaint was lodged against the quarry workers and its owner.[13] Rama Rajmouli used vibrant colors for thief character of Teja while sober colors was used for his cop character.[14]

Music

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Vikramarkudu
Soundtrack album by
M. M. Keeravani
Released31 May 2006 (2006-05-31)
Recorded2006
StudioRajaNandini Recording Studio, Hyderabad
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageTelugu
LabelAditya Music
ProducerM. M. Keeravani
M. M. Keeravani chronology
Sri Ramadasu
(2006) 		Vikramarkudu
(2006) 		Amma Cheppindi
(2006)

The audio of Vikramarkudu was launched at a function arranged in a set erected near Hitec city on the night of 31 May. K Raghavendra Rao launched the audio and gave the first unit to Y. V. S. Chowdary. Ramesh Prasad, B. Gopal and Gunnam Gangaraju were also invited as guests. The unit members who were present include M. L. Kumar Chowdary, Ravi Teja, Rajamouli, Anushka, Keeravani, Vijayendra Prasad, Brahmanandam, Rajiv Kanakala, Ajay, Rama Rajamouli, Ravindra, Sarvesh Murari, Ram Lakshman, M. Ratnam, Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao and Suresh Bujji. Suma anchored the event and Aditya Music bought audio rights.[15]

The soundtrack received a very good response from the public as well as critics. The song "College Papala" (well known as Chinta Ta Chita Chita) was reused by Sajid–Wajid in the Hindi remake of the film, Rowdy Rathore and also by M. M. Keeravani in the Kannada remake film Veera Madakari.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Dammare Damma"ChandraboseK.S.Chithra, Vijji, Tippu4:04
2."Jum Jum Maya"M. M. KeeravaniM. M. Keeravani & Sunitha4:38
3."College Papala"Jonnavittula Ramalingeswara RaoK.S.Chithra, Jassie Gift5:06
4."Vasthava Vasthava"ChandraboseAnuradha Sriram4:08
5."Dooranga"Bandaru Danaiah, M. M. KeeravaniM. M. Keeravani, Ganga4:49
6."Jo Laali"M. M. KeeravaniMalavika2:01
Total length:24:49

Reception

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Box office

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The film was commercially successful and was one of the highest grossers of Telugu cinema in 2006.[4] and a theatrical run of 100 days in 54 centres.[16] Vikramarkudu earned a distributor share of ₹18.9 crore (US$4.17 million) and worldwide gross collections of over ₹25 crore (US$5.5 million).[4][7]

Critical response

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It received positive reviews from critics. Idlebrain.com wrote, "On a whole, Vikramarkudu is another prospective blockbuster from the stable of Rajamouli".[17] Totaltollywood wrote, "First half of the film goes in full entertainment mode. Second half gets into action part but the entertainment values are maintained at the same level.".[18] Sify noted, "On the whole, Vikramarkudu is a masala entertainer and is OK timepass fare.".[19] Nowrunning wrote, "Watching Vikramarkudu is like eating a plate of Mirchi Bhajji from the roadside pushcart.".[20] Fullhyd noted, "Vikramarkudu is like one of those dishes that smell great during cooking, but just don’t taste the same way in the end. The film assiduously builds its story to a crest with your adrenaline pumping on all cylinders, but doesn’t quite know how to handle it thereon.".[21] Cinegoer said, "One thing is that Vikramarkudu never bores you. It will keep you glued to the screen, because so many things happen all the time and the narrative moves quickly.".[22]

Other versions

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It was remade twice in Bangladeshi Bengali as Ulta Palta 69 and Action Jasmine, in Kannada as Ee Shathamaanada Veera Madakari,[23] in Tamil as Siruthai,[24] in Hindi as Rowdy Rathore, and in Indian Bengali as Bikram Singha: The Lion Is Back.[25][26][27]

Sequel

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In September 2021, V. Vijayendra Prasad began writing the film's sequel, and Sampath Nandi entered into talks for directing it.[28]

Notes

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  1. ^ The average exchange rate in 2006 was 45.31 Indian rupees (₹) per 1 US dollar (US$).[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Vikramarkudu". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "An action film!". Sify. 21 June 2006. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b "భళి భళి భళిరా భళి రాజమౌళి". Sakshi (in Telugu). 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "A few hits and many flops". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 December 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007.
  5. ^ "Telugu films remade in Bollywood". The Times of India. 6 August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. ^ "1 USD to INR from 1947 till now, Historical Exchange Rates Explained". BookMyForex.com. 24 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Box office collections data for Rajamouli's films is here - Filmy Focus". 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Bahubali Director SS Rajamouli Completes 20 Years in Industry: A Look At His Journey". News18. 28 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  10. ^ "'অ্যাকশন জেসমিন' ও আমাদের একান্ত দাবি". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 18 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  11. ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858492/
  12. ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/2012-a-year-of-remakes-in-bollywood/story-4FYTliNp2iFCpwz6DSE8yO.html
  13. ^ "Injured director S S Rajmouli safe". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2006.
  14. ^ "TC Exclusive Interview: Rama Rajamouli". Telugucinema.com. 17 August 2007. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Vikramarkudu - audio function - Ravi Teja & Anushka". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  16. ^ "Vikramarkudu celebrates 100 days in 54 centres". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Vikramarkudu - Telugu cinema Review - Ravi Teja & Anushka". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  18. ^ "Vikramarkudu Movie Review". Total Tollywood. Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  19. ^ "Review : Vikramarkudu". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  20. ^ "Vikramarkudu Review". Nowrunning. 11 April 2006. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  21. ^ "Vikramarkudu review: Vikramarkudu (Telugu) Movie Review - fullhyd.com". fullhyderabad.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  22. ^ "CineGoer.com - Telugu Movie Reviews - Vikramarkudu". cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  23. ^ "Veera Madakari: Not as good as the original". Rediff. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  24. ^ "SIRUTHAI MOVIE REVIEW". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  25. ^ "Prosenjit's film title changed once again". The Times of India. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Prabhu Deva to remake Siruthai in Hindi". Sify. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
  27. ^ "Siruthai in Hindi". The Times of India. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012.
  28. ^ "Vikramarkudu sequel in talks?". The Hans India. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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