Why Telugu film lovers can’t stop raving about Nagarjuna’s ‘Manmadhudu’

Marking the 63rd birthday of the actor, the makers rereleased the blockbuster film in theatres across the two Telugu-speaking States.

ByPrakash Pecheti

Published Aug 29, 2023 | 1:33 PM ⚊UpdatedAug 30, 2023 | 5:22 AM

Nagarjuna Sonali Bendre Manmadhudu rerelease

Nagarjuna and Sonali Bendre's 'Manmadhudu' has been rereleased in Telugu states. (Twitter)

As the evergreen “Manmadhudu” (cupid) of Telugu cinema, King Nagarjuna turns 63 on Tuesday, 29 August, fans relived the moments of his blockbuster flick — Manmadhudu (2002) — in theatres.

None could have explained more succinctly about marriage other than Nagarjuna.

Although the evergreen chartbuster “Vaddu Raa Sodhara Arey Pellante Noorella Mantara…” was composed 20 years ago, the song is still as sassy as an old wine.

His eponymous character Abhiram in Manmadhudu is remembered by Telugu audiences forever. In fact, it is celebrated by people who realise the harsh truths of marriage.

Marking the 63rd birthday of the actor, the makers of Manmadhudu rereleased the iconic film in cinema halls. The response from the early shows of the movie across the Telugu States seems to be overwhelming.

Soon after watching the flick, netizens took to Twitter to share their favourite scenes.

Actress Anshu, who debuted with Manmadhudu, also sent a video message recalling the memories from the sets.

It was directed by K Vijaya Bhaskar and produced by Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios. Trivikram Srinivas penned the story.

It was declared an all-time blockbuster and received the Nandi Award for Best the Feautre Film for that year.

The film was remade in Kannada as Aishwarya (2006) and in Bengali as Priyotoma (2006).

Story of a misogynist

brahmanandam nagarjuna

Actors Brahmanandam and Nagarjuna in a still from ‘Manmadhudu’. (Twitter)

Manmadhudu is about the story of Abhiram (Nagarjuna) who scorns women. However, his workplace is infested with lady employees.

His uncle (Tanikella Bharani) appoints another woman Harika (Sonali Bhendre) as assistant manager.

How does Abhiram try to secretly steal the idea of Harika to nail the advertisement deal for the company? How their relationship blossoms into love and the backstory of Abhiram for hating women is the story to be watched.

Brahmanandam’s humour was the major highlight of the movie. His escalator sequence in Paris has been a reference point for many other comedians who imitated his style and his body language in a humorous way.

The music scored by Devi Sri Prasad transformed it into a cult film.

Title was a minus: Nagarjuna

actor Nagarjuna manmadhudu rerelease

Actor Nagarjuna in a still from ‘Manmadhudu’. (Twitter)

Although Manmadudu stole the hearts of Telugu film lovers, King Nagarjuna felt that the title “Manmadhudu” was a big minus for the movie, as it failed to attract family audiences.

In an interview in 2019, the actor admitted that the film was not a blockbuster as was perceived by the public. Since he was the producer, he said he knew the numbers and how it fared at the box office when it was released in 2002.

Although a sort of sequel to Manmadhudu came in 2019, it didn’t really amuse audiences as much as the first one did.

Starring Rakul Preet Singh as the female lead, Manmadhudu 2 featured Nagarjuna as an aged bachelor. Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore, Lakshmi, Rohini, Jhansi, and Devadarshin were seen in key roles.

Directed by Rahul Ravindran, the film received mixed talk at the box office.

 

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