Maharshi (2019 film)

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Maharshi
Maharshi poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVamshi Paidipally
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyK. U. Mohanan
Edited byPraveen K. L.
Music byDevi Sri Prasad
Production
companies
Distributed byGreat India films (USA)
Release date
  • 9 May 2019 (2019-05-09)[1]
Running time
178 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹1–1.3 billion[a]
Box office
  • est.₹1.45–2 billion[b]

Maharshi (transl. Great sage) is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language action-drama film[10] directed by Vamshi Paidipally and jointly produced by Dil Raju, C. Ashwini Dutt, Prasad V. Potluri, and Param V. Potluri through their production companies Sri Venkateswara Creations, Vyjayanthi Movies, and PVP Cinema. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde, and Allari Naresh while Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Meenakshi Dixit, and Ananya play supporting roles. The music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad.

The plot follows Rishi (Babu), who becomes the CEO of a US-based software company. When his attention is drawn towards the plight of downtrodden farmers by his friend Ravi (Naresh), he sets out to help them.

Maharshi received mixed reviews from critics.[11] Although Babu's performance was praised, the film was criticized for predictable, slow and lengthy narration.[12] The film ranks among the highest grossing Telugu films. Maharshi received two National Film Awards, including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography.[13] The film also won two awards at Zee Cine Awards Telugu.

Plot[]

K. Rishi Kumar, an Indian man, becomes the CEO of a US-based software company, Origin, and meets his college friends and lecturers at a party in New York. Seven years ago, hailing from a middle-class family in Hyderabad, he dreamt to make it big in the software industry and had a tense relationship with his father, K. Satyanarayana, a clerk in a private company who was constantly pressurized by moneylenders. Rishi moved to Vizag for his post-graduation in IIET and befriends Pooja and Ravi Shankar. Ajay, one of the class toppers, becomes jealous after seeing Rishi surpass him in all the exams. MP Bhanu Prasad, a politician and minister who is Ajay's father, offers Rishi money in exchange for stepping down as the topper, but Rishi refuses and also thrashes his henchmen.

Later, Rishi declines Pooja's marriage proposal, feeling that it would hinder his career, and tells her that she is a burden in his heart and it affects his career ambitious. They break up, and Rishi's friendship with Ravi, who tried to mend their relation, also gets spoiled. Ajay is selected by a top company, Origin, with the highest package in the college. However, he comes to know that Rishi developed an AI-based operation system and used it to get a much better opportunity with another company. Ajay conspires to stop Rishi from attending the campus interview by accusing him of stealing the examination papers. However, Rishi is found innocent and allowed to write his exams. Within a short time, he moves to New York and becomes a leading executive in Origin. However, the sudden demise of his father leaves him shattered, following which he takes his mother to the USA.

The film returns to the present, where Rishi is devastated to learn from his professor that Ravi took the blame for stealing the examination papers in order to save him. Ravi's father committed suicide, and his marriage with his girlfriend Pallavi is called off. Rishi reunites with Ravi in the latter's hometown, where he learns that Ravi has been protesting alone against a company that plans to take away the village farmland for laying oil pipelines. Rishi asks Vivek Mittal, the millionaire businessman behind the project, to exclude the village, but the latter declines. Hence, Rishi sets up his own office in the village to attract media attention and to set a stage for Ravi to express his concerns. Pooja, now working in a gaming company, is sent by her boss, along with an assistant, to meet Rishi regarding sponsorship for a new game. Rishi talks to Pallavi's father and helps fix the broken alliance. Ravi is then made the village leader to express their concerns of the people to the government.

Vivek offers more money as compensation to the villagers and also gives money to one of the neighboring villagers to stop further growth of the issue. His henchmen also try to eliminate Ravi, but Rishi saves him. Ravi is hospitalized, and Vivek uses the opportunity to tarnish Rishi's good intentions and make him leave the village. Rishi's mother talks him out of giving up and Rishi returns to the village to finish what he started. After a farmer inspires him to practice farming, Rishi helps the farmers grow crops by leasing them and paying more money than Vivek. Farmers realize the value of their land, and Pooja reconciles with Rishi. In a press meet, Rishi makes a speech emphasizing the importance of agriculture and the losses faced due to the farmers' suicides. Rishi's efforts are appreciated by the Chief Minister, and Ajay, now a leading banking official, exposes Vivek, thus ending the project. Rishi resigns as the CEO of Origin and decides to stay in his homeland promoting agriculture.

Cast[]

Soundtrack[]

Maharshi
Soundtrack album by
Devi Sri Prasad
Released1 May 2019
Recorded2019
GenreSoundtrack
Length31:38
LabelAditya Music
ProducerDevi Sri Prasad
Devi Sri Prasad chronology
Chitralahari
(2019) 		Maharshi
(2019) 		Sarileru Neekevvaru
(2019)

The music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad and released on Aditya Music company. Lyrics were written by Sri Mani.[14][15]

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Padara Padara"Shankar Mahadevan4:51
2."Choti Choti Baatein"Devi Sri Prasad4:25
3."Nuvve Samastham"Yazin Nizar4:28
4."Everest Anchuna"Vedala Hemachandra, Vishnupriya Ravi3:16
5."Phir Shuru"Benny Dayal4:12
6."Paala Pitta"Rahul Sipligunj, M. M. Manasi3:20
7."Idhe Kadha Nee Katha"Vijay Prakash2:49
8."Nuvvani Idhi Needani"Karthik4:21
Total length:31:38

Release[]

Maharshi is released theatrically on 9 May 2019.[1] The Tamil dubbed version titled Ungalukkaga Oruvan was released in 2020.[16]

Reception[]

Critical reception[]

The film received mixed reviews from the critics who praised Babu's performance and the production values while criticising the "predictable, slow and lengthy narration."[11][12] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote, "At the heart of Maharshi is a story that could have been leveraged to make a compelling social drama that also traces the transformative journey of an ambitious man. But there’s a huge gap between what it could have been and what it is".[17] The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Watch it not just for Mahesh Babu and Allari Naresh’s performances but also for the story, if you don’t mind all the bells and whistles it comes with. It might not be entertaining all through, thanks to the draggy bits, but its heart is in the right place".[18] Hindustan Times gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Maharshi is a problematic film with big ideas but it tugs at heartstrings. Take out the farming sub-plot, Maharshi would’ve been a tiresome watch in which Rishi just won’t shut up with his sermons on success".[19]

CNN-News18 gave 4 out of 5 stars stating "Maharshi exudes a sense of comfort and happiness in the midst of the wreckage and targeting".[20] India Today gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Maharshi has a meaty story in between several sub-plots. If only it was crisp and to the point. If only. Mahesh Babu's Maharshi is not about a business tycoon coming back to his motherland. He has a bigger purpose here".[21] Firstpost gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Maharshi is a well-intentioned drama and has some beautifully written sequences; however, it holds back on a lot of things it wants to say for so long that it makes you feel restless at times".[22]

Box office[]

Maharshi on the opening day collected ₹590 million gross worldwide and in Telugu-speaking states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) movie collected a share of ₹246 million.[23]

In the first extended weekend (Thursday release) movie grossed over ₹1 billion (100 crore) worldwide.[24][25] In 11 days, the movie collected ₹727.9 million in Telugu-speaking states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).[26]

By the end of theatrical run, the film grossed between ₹1.45–2 billion worldwide.[6][4][9]

Accolades[]

Award[c] Date of ceremony[d] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
National Film Awards Yet to be presented Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Producer: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Director: Vamshi Paidipally 		Won [27]
Best Choreography Raju Sundaram Won
South Indian International Movie Awards 11–12 September 2021 Best Film – Telugu PVP Cinema, Vyjayanthi Movies,
Sri Venkateswara Creations 		Pending [28]
Best Director – Telugu Vamshi Paidipally Pending
Best Actor – Telugu Mahesh Babu Pending
Best Actress – Telugu Pooja Hegde Pending
Best Supporting Actor – Telugu Allari Naresh Pending
Best Actor in a Negative Role ​– Telugu Jagapathi Babu Pending
Best Music Director – Telugu Devi Sri Prasad Pending
Best Lyricist – Telugu Sri Mani – (for "Idhe Kadha Nee Katha") Pending
Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Shankar Mahadevan – (for "Padara Padara") Pending
Best Cinematographer – Telugu K. U. Mohanan Pending
Zee Cine Awards Telugu 11 January 2020 Favorite Actor Mahesh Babu Nominated [29]
Best Actor – Male Nominated [30]
Best Actor in Supporting Role Allari Naresh Won [31]
Favourite Actress Pooja Hegde Won

Notes[]

  1. ^ International Business Times,[3] Sakshi Post[4] and India Today[5] estimate the budget as ₹1 billion while Sakshi Telugu[6] and Deccan Chronicle[7] report the budget to be ₹1.3 billion
  2. ^ Sakshi Telugu estimates the film worldwide gross to be ₹1.45 billion.[6] Deccan Herald estimates the film worldwide gross to be over ₹1.75 billion.[8] Sakshi Post and Hindustan Times estimate worldwide gross to be ₹2 billion.[4][9]
  3. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  4. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mahesh Babu's Maharshi will not be in theatres on April 25. Here is the new release date". Indiatoday.in.
  2. ^ "MAHARSHI (2019)". British Board of Film Classification. 7 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Maharshi box office collection: Mahesh Babu's film set to complete 50 days in 200 theatres". International Business Times. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020. ...over Rs 180 crore gross at the worldwide box office... made with a budget of Rs 100 crore.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "What Is Mahesh Share In Maharshi Profits". Sakshi Post. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020. ...budget of approximately Rs 100 Cr... Rs 115 Cr share plus and it has grossed Rs 200 Cr at the worldwide box office.
  5. ^ "Maharshi Movie Review: Mahesh Babu gets his own underwhelming Kaththi". India Today. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020. ...produced on a lavish budget of nearly Rs 100 crore.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "2019లో భారీ వసూళ్లు రాబట్టిన సినిమాలివే." [Highest grossing films of 2019]. Sakshi (in Telugu). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Mahesh Babu's Maharshi to release in deficit?". Deccan Chronicle. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Highest-grossing Telugu movies at WW box office". Deccan Herald. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Maharshi, which grossed over Rs 200 crore at the box-office". Hindustan Times. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Maharshi teaser out: Mahesh Babu sizzles in Vamsi Paidipally's action-drama". India Today.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Vyas (22 May 2019). "Maharshi 11 days box office collections report". The Hans India. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Hooli, Shekhar H. (9 May 2019). "Maharshi review: Critics say it is a good film if you ignore predictable, slow and lengthy narration". IB Times. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  13. ^ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1706663
  14. ^ Maharshi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Devi Sri Prasad, retrieved 22 March 2021
  15. ^ "Music Review: Maharshi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Ungalukkaga Oruvan - Disney+ Hotstar". Disney+ Hotstar. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  17. ^ "'Maharshi' review: The transformative journey". The Hindu. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  18. ^ "Maharshi Review". The Times of India. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.3/5 stars
  19. ^ "Maharshi movie review: A predictable star vehicle for Mahesh Babu with a workable emotional core". Hindustan Times. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.3/5 stars
  20. ^ "Maharshi Movie Review: Mahesh Babu Shines As Arrogant Business Tycoon". CNN-News18. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.4/5 stars
  21. ^ "Maharshi Movie Review: Mahesh Babu gets his own underwhelming Kaththi". India Today. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.2.5/5 stars
  22. ^ "Maharshi movie review: Mahesh Babu's conviction holds this partly underwritten film together". Firstpost. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.3/5 stars
  23. ^ "Mahesh Babu's Maharshi opens big at the ticket window, collects Rs 59 crore worldwide". Hindustan Times. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Mahesh Babu's Maharshi Has a Dream Run at the Box Office, Rakes in Rs 100 Crore in 4 Days". CNN-News18. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Maharshi box office collection: Mahesh Babu film grosses Rs 100 crore worldwide". Indian Express. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  26. ^ "'Maharshi' box office collections day 11: Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde and Allari Naresh's film rakes in Rs 72.79 Cr in AP & TS". The Times of India. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  27. ^ "67th National Film Awards: Complete list of winners". The Hindu. 22 March 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  28. ^ "The 9th South Indian International Movie Awards Nominations for 2019". South Indian International Movie Awards. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  29. ^ @ZeeTVTelugu (7 January 2020). "Favorite Actor in leading role(Male)" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 January 2020 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ @ZeeTVTelugu (7 January 2020). "Best Actor in leading role(Male)" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 January 2020 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Zee Cine awards Telugu 2020: Samantha Akkineni, Chiranjeevi and Nani win top laurels". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

External links[]

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