Bhagavanth Kesari
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAnil Ravipudi
Written byAnil Ravipudi
Produced bySahu Garapati
Harish Peddi
StarringNandamuri Balakrishna
Sreeleela
Arjun Rampal
Kajal Aggarwal
CinematographyC. Ramprasad
Edited byTammiraju
Music byThaman S
Production
company
Shine Screens
Release date
  • 19 October 2023 (2023-10-19)
Running time
164 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budgetest. ₹100 crore[2]
Box officeest.₹98.2–130 crore[3][4][5]

Bhagavanth Kesari is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Anil Ravipudi and produced by Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi, under the banner of Shine Screens.[6] It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the titular role alongside Sreeleela, Arjun Rampal (in his Telugu debut) and Kajal Aggarwal. The soundtrack and background score was composed by Thaman S.

The film was theatrically released on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of Dasara. The film received mixed reviews from critics praising Balakrishna's performance and action sequences.[7][8][9][10]

Plot

Nelakonda Bhagavanth Kesari is an ex-prisoner who becomes the guardian of Vijayalakshmi "Viji" after his friend and Viji's father, CI Srikanth's death in an accident. Bhagavanth wants her to join the Indian Army as per her father's wish and seeks the help of psychologist Dr. Kathyayani. However, Vijji is against joining the Army, stemming from a phobia in her childhood; she is keen on marrying her boyfriend, Karthik.

Meanwhile, Rahul Sanghvi is a business magnate who seeks to steal the country's prestigious project-V, but the Deputy CM accumulates incriminating evidence against him. Sanghvi assassinates him, but his PA absconds with the evidence, and Sanghvi is behind his hunt. Karthik proceeds with his parents with the proposal, but Bhagavanth denies it, for which Viji starts to detest Bhagavanth. While escaping from Sanghvi's men, the PA fortuitously uses Viji's laptop to secure the data, and Sanghvi's men target her instead. Bhagavanth learns about this and shields Viji. Sanghvi is shocked upon seeing Bhagavanth, revealing that the two are past rivals, and Viji soon learns about Bhagavanth's past.

Past: Bhagavanth is a gallant Circle Inspector at a tribal zone called Nelakonda, where he locks horns with Sanghvi's politician father, Sarath Sanghvi, after he massacres the forest department. Bhagavanth outrageously butchers his men and publicly arrests Sarath, who later commits suicide. To exact vengeance, Rahul incriminates Bhagavanth under trumped-up charges and has him sentenced to prison.

Present: After learning this, Viji oaths to fulfill Bhagavanth's ambition. They go to Hyderabad along with Kathyayani and admit Viji to a training academy where the coach disdains the women but later accepts an apology after Bhagavanth glorifies their eminence. Viji cannot climb her last leg because of neurosis, whereas Kathyayani provides insight to raise her mental strength and courage. Sanghvi intends to kill Bhagavanth and his loved ones whilst also capturing the PA. However, Bhagavanth tarnishes Sanghvi's plans with the support of Ratan Shukla, whom he befriended in prison, and procures the evidence from the PA. Bhagavanth makes a deal with the politicians to schedule a dual war with Sanghvi and receives approval. As directed by Kathyayani, Bhagavanth keeps himself at risk, and Viji soon turns violent to safeguard him. Bhagavanth finally kills Rahul Sanghvi and his men, while Viji is selected into the Army, fulfilling her father's and Bhagavanth's dream.

Cast

Production

Filming started on 8 December 2022 in Hyderabad.[11] Arjun Rampal completed filming his scenes in August 2023.[12]

Music

Bhagavanth Kesari
Soundtrack album by
Thaman S
Recorded2023
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageTelugu
LabelJunglee Music
ProducerThaman S
Thaman S chronology
Skanda
(2023)		 Bhagavanth Kesari
(2023)		 Annapoorani
(2023)

The soundtrack and background score is composed by Thaman S, which marks his fourth collaboration with Balakrishna after Dictator (2016), Akhanda (2021), and Veera Simha Reddy (2023); first collaboration with Ravipudi.

The first single titled "Ganesh Anthem, was released on 1 September 2023. The second single, "Uyyaalo Uyyaala" was released on 4 October 2023. The third single, "Roar of Kesari" was released on 17 October 2023.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Ganesh Anthem"Kasarla ShyamKareemullah, Maneesha Pandranki4:38
2."Uyyaalo Uyyaala"Anantha SriramS. P. Charan4:15
3."Roar of Kesari"Kasarla ShyamChorus3:18
4."Jhagada Jhagada"Ramajogayya SastryJyoti Nooran2:59
5."Ichi Pad Ichi Pad"Kasarla ShyamAnthony Dasan, Geetha Madhuri, Sahithi Chaganti, Naresh Mamindla3:42

Release

Theatrical

The film was theatrically released on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of Dasara.

Home Media

The film's digital streaming rights were brought by Amazon Prime Video, while the satellite rights were brought by Zee Network in all languages. The film was premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 24 November 2023 in Telugu, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi.[13]

Reception

Critical response

The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics praising Balakrishna's performance and action sequences.[14][7][8][9][10]

123Telugu gave 3.25/5 stars and wrote "Bhagavanth Kesari delivers an engaging blend of action and emotional drama, fueled by finest performances from Balakrishna and Sreeleela. Their combo scenes are a delight to watch, especially in emotional scenes. However, a sluggish second half and occasional unnecessary scenes do challenge the film's overall pacing. Balakrishna's compelling screen presence and impactful dialogues provide a treat for fans."[15] Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "While the first half could have offered a more engaging narrative, the film finds its stride in the latter portion, delivering a satisfying blend of action and emotion. Bhagavanth Kesari stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and power of women empowerment."[16]

Raghu Bandi of The Indian Express gave 2.5/5 and wrote "Bhagavanth Kesari tries hard not to be a regular Nandamuri Balakrishna movie, while having all the signature moments die-hard fans will expect from him."[17] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Anil Ravipudi's Bhagavanth Kesari starring Nandamuri Balakrishna oscillates between hypermasculine action and an emotional drama that hammers the message of women empowerment."[18]

Janani K of India Today gave a rating of 2.5/5 and wrote, "Bhagavanth Kesari is an enjoyable entertainer where you see Balayya teaching a bunch of school children about good touch and bad touch. It's a film that has a mix of everything for the audiences."[19] Jahnavi of The News Minute gave a rating of 1.5/5 and wrote "But even as a formulaic film hinging on the heroism of the male star, the formula itself is confusing."[20] Eenadu reviewed the movie and noted that, aside from a few scenes in the first half, the film is commendable.[21] Ram Venkat Srikar of Film Companion wrote, "Bhagavanth Kesari is a pretty entertaining outing from both Balakrishna and Anil Ravipudi. Despite having some issues, it works pretty well to a large extent, offering us an action entertainer with its heart in the right place, which surprises on the emotion and the 'message' front.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "This Popular OTT Platform Acquires Bhagavanth Kesari Streaming Rights". News18. 20 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari Box Office Collection | Worldwide | Day Wise". Pinkvilla. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Nandamuri Balakrishna's Bhagavanth Kesari Starts Streaming On This OTT Platform". News18. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Kashyap, Anand (30 October 2023). "Bhagavanth Kesari Box Office Collection Day 11: बॉक्स ऑफिस पर तूफान बनी भगवंत केसरी, फिल्म ने 11 दिनों में कमाए 130 करोड़" [Bhagavanth Kesari Box Office Collection Day 11: Bhagavanth Kesari became a storm at the box office, the film earned Rs 130 crore in 11 days]. NDTV (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Balakrishna, Anil Ravipudi Telugu film titled 'Bhagavanth Kesari'". The Hindu. 8 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Bhagavanth Kesari: Nandamuri Balakrishna's film is GOOD or BAD to watch? Read THIS". Asianet News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023. the film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
  8. 1 2 "Bhagavanth Kesari box office collection day 3: Lukewarm response brings worldwide haul to ₹45 crore". Hindustan Times. 22 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023. Bhagavanth Kesari starring Balakrishna , Kajal and Srileela received mixed response
  9. 1 2 "'Bhagavanth Kesari' box office collection Day 5: Balayya's film remains strong". India Today. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  10. 1 2 "'Bhagavanth Kesari' Twitter review: 'It's a hattrick blockbuster,' say Nandamuri Balakrishna fans". Business Today. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "#NBK108: Nandamuri Balakrishna's film with Anil Ravipudi launched". The Times of India. 8 December 2022. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "Arjun Rampal poses with Balakrishna on his last day shoot of 'Bhagavanth Kesari'". 15 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "Nandamuri Balakrishna's Bhagavanth Kesari Starts Streaming On This OTT Platform". News18. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari: Where director Anil Ravipudi proves it's possible to make a meaningful massy film". OTTPlay. 21 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023. mixed responses from critics.
  15. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari – Enjoyable action and emotional drama". 123Telugu. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari Movie Review: A Blend Of Action And Emotion Championing Women Empowerment". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari movie review: Nandamuri Balakrishna does not disappoint". The Indian Express. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (19 October 2023). "'Bhagavanth Kesari' movie review: Anil Ravipudi, Balakrishna outing is mediocre at its best". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari Review: Balayya has maximum fun in this film on women empowerment". India Today. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari review: Balakrishna and Anil Ravipudi dabble with girlboss feminism". The News Minute. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bhagavanth Kesari Movie Review: రివ్యూ: భగవంత్‌ కేసరి.. బాలకృష్ణ యాక్షన్‌ డ్రామా ఎలా ఉంది?". EENADU (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  22. ↑ Srikar, Ram Venkat (19 October 2023). "Bhagavanth Kesari Review: Balayya's Attempt At Women Empowerment Is Both Meaningful And Fun". www.filmcompanion.in. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
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