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Murari re-release: Mahesh Babu’s 2001 blockbuster shatters pre-sales records

According to trade analysts, by 3 August, 50 lakh tickets were sold for the remastered 4K version in Hyderabad alone.

South First Desk

Published Aug 09, 2024 | 1:29 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 09, 2024 | 1:29 PM

Murari re-release: Mahesh Babu's 2001 blockbuster shatters pre-sales records

'Murari' re-release: Mahesh Babu's 2001 blockbuster shatters pre-sales records. (X)

Director Krishna Vamsi’s Murari, released 23 years ago, is re-releasing in theatres on Friday, 9 August, to celebrate Mahesh Babu’s birthday. The excitement isn’t confined to the Telugu states; fans in Bangalore, North America, and Australia are also eagerly making beelines to theatres.

The 4K version of Murari created records in pre-sales. According to trade analysts, by 3 August, 50 lakh tickets were sold in Hyderabad alone.

Re-releasing classic films became a trend in Tollywood over the past few years, with milestone movies of major stars often timed with the stars’s birthdays.

Apart from Murari, Mahesh Babu’s hits like Okkadu (2003) and Businessman (2012) have all seen re-releases. Last year, over one lakh tickets were sold for Businessman during its re-release, making Mahesh Babu the only actor to achieve this milestone twice on BookMyShow.

Thalapathy Vijay’s Ghilli, a remake of Mahesh Babu’s Okkadu, also crossed the one lakh ticket mark. But Mahesh Babu is the only actor to do so with two consecutive re-releases.

With Murari’s re-release poised for similar success, another record may be added to Mahesh Babu’s achievements. Fans are ready to celebrate this family entertainer once again!

Murari is a supernatural family drama that blends romance, tradition, and spirituality. Starring Mahesh Babu in the lead role, alongside Sonali Bendre, Prakash Raj, and Lakshmi, the film is remembered for its strong performances.

Mani Sharma’s fan-favourite music contributes to the film’s enduring legacy.

Also Read: Mahesh Babu, Khushbu, and Lawrence review Raayan on X

About Murari

The story centres on Murari, a carefree young man whose family is cursed by Goddess Durga, resulting in the death of a family member every 48 years. As the curse threatens his life, Murari’s journey to break it unfolds, with his grandmother making a profound sacrifice to save him.

Since its 2001 release, Murari has been regarded as a milestone in Telugu cinema. It was a super hit at the box office, earning three Nandi Awards, including Second Best Feature Film.

Its success led to a Hindi dubbing as Rowdy Cheetah in 2015 and a Kannada remake titled Gopi in 2006, highlighting its broad appeal.

The movie was extensively shot in Andhra Pradesh’s Ramachandrapuram during a 50-day schedule. The temple scenes in the opening were filmed at the Ammapalli Sri Sita Rama Chandra Swamy Temple near Hyderabad.

The basic plot of Murari was inspired by real-life events, with the family’s strong bonds and intense emotions drawing from the story of Lord Krishna’s childhood.

Rumour has it that Krishna Vamsi, influenced by Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 film Anand, initially wanted to kill off Mahesh Babu’s character in the climax, believing that, apart from Anand, no other film featured a protagonist dying young.

Mahesh Babu acknowledged Murari as a pivotal film in his career. The film also marked Sonali Bendre’s Telugu debut and her first collaboration with Krishna Vamsi. She learned to speak Telugu specifically for the role.

Murari featured the final on-screen appearance of veteran Telugu actor Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry, who made a cameo as a religious monk in the film.

Additionally, Murari was the debut project of action choreographer Peter Hein in Telugu cinema.

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

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