Mukunda

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Mukunda
Mickey J Meyer
Production
company
Leo Productions
Release date
  • 24 December 2014 (2014-12-24)
Running time
142 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Mukunda is a 2014 Indian

Mickey J Meyer composed the film's soundtrack and background score. Marthand K. Venkatesh
edited the film.

Production began on 27 February 2014 in

Cochin and was completed on 16 December 2014 in Hyderabad. The film was initially titled Gollabhama. Apart from Hyderabad, the film was predominantly shot in Andhra Pradesh at places like Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, and Amalapuram as well as in Cochin and Alleppey in Kerala and at Kanyakumari, Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. The film released worldwide on 24 December 2014. The film received positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly Varun Tej and Pooja Hegde), dialogues, songs and background score besides criticizing the screenplay, editing and slow pace of the film.[2] Later the film was dubbed into Hindi as Dushman No. 1 and it was also dubbed in Tamil and Malayalam
in the same title.

Plot

Mukunda is a college-going student who goes to any extent for his friends. One day, his best friend falls in love with the daughter of a powerful municipal chairman. Things take an ugly turn when Mukunda enters the scene and decides to go against the chairman and his power. The rest of the story is about how he wins and inspires others.

Cast

Production

Development

C. Aswini Dutt approached

Janmashtami, the makers renamed the film as Mukunda.[10]

Casting

Prior to this film, Varun Tej underwent training in acting skills under the supervision of Satyanand who trained Varun's uncle Pawan Kalyan. Either of Akshara Haasan and Parineeti Chopra was rumored as the film's female lead.[12] Pooja Hegde was finalized as the film's female lead later. Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh and Nassar were confirmed to appear in crucial roles during the film's launch.[6] Varun Tej was reported to be seen as a volleyball player in the film in late March 2014.[13] Allu Arjun was reported to make a cameo appearance in the film in mid June 2014.[14] The film's unit confirmed those reports as rumors later.[15] Sekhar Kammula was reported to make a cameo appearance in the film.[16][17]

Filming

Cochin.[19] The film was reported to be shot in the locales of Alleppey.[20] Varun Tej suffered a fracture during the filming of an action sequence at Alleppey and shooting resumed after his recovery.[21] On its completion, the next schedule began in Konaseema. The film was shot in places like Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, Samalkota and adjoining areas for four weeks. The film was also shot in areas like Pollachi, Kanyakumari and Yanam in early June 2014. The schedule ended almost after 33 days on 4 July and the team returned to Hyderabad.[22][23] A new schedule began at Hyderabad on 29 July on whose completion, the filming continued in Amalapuram from 5 August.[24]

By then, the film entered

dubbing phase.[25] Varun Tej began dubbing for his role in late August 2014 and by then, filming neared completion except for few songs.[26] At Amalapuram, a crucial scene featuring Varun Tej, Rao Ramesh and Pooja Hegde was shot where Varun Tej was seen taking part in a municipal election campaign visiting several houses in the locality to create awareness among the people.[27] After shooting the film there for 10 days, a song was shot on the lead pair in Switzerland.[28] The schedule ended on 16 September 2014.[29] In mid November 2014, Srikanth Addala said that the remaining part of the film would be shot in Hyderabad and a big set is being planned for a song.[30] The last song was shot in a special set erected at Nanakramguda in mid December 2014.[31] Pooja Hegde confirmed that the filming came to an end on 16 December 2014.[11]

Music

Mukunda
Feature film soundtrack
Length26:06
LanguageTelugu
LabelAditya Music
ProducerMickey J Meyer
Mickey J. Meyer chronology
Chakkiligintha
(2014)
Mukunda
(2014)
Kerintha
(2015)

Sirivennela Sitaramasastri.[32] Aditya Music acquired the soundtrack rights in mid August 2014 for an undisclosed high price.[33]

The soundtrack was expected to be launched in September 2014 initially.[34] The release was postponed to November 2014.[35] The release date was later finalized as 3 December 2014.[36] Shilpakala Vedika was announced as the venue on 2 December and also, a song teaser was unveiled as a part of promotion.[37] Chiranjeevi attended the audio launch along with Allu Arjun as the chief guests and unveiled the soundtrack.[38]

Reviewing the soundtrack, Karthik of Milliblog wrote "Chaala baagundi, with its brilliant vocal plus guitar interplay, is the soundtrack’s best, with Haricharan proving his value again! Mickey on top of his game, again!".[39] The Times of India stated that the soundtrack has some peppy and melodious tunes, calling "Dumdaredum" and "Chala Bagundi" as the best songs of the album.[40] IndiaGlitz wrote "Mickey J Meyer's imprint is write over the album. It's a mix of melody and youthfulness. Sirivennela writes all the songs to a profound effect. Getting choicest of singers on board, Mickey delivers a music lover's album."[41] Avad M of 123telugu selected "Nandalaala" and "Chaala Bagundi" as the picks of the album and wrote "Mickey J Meyer once again proves that he is a class apart and provides a chart topping romantic album which is quite soothing and melodious".[42]

All tracks are written by

Mickey J Meyer, Sai Shivani03:553."Chaala Bagundi"Haricharan04:454."Gopikamma"K. S. Chithra, Ramya Behara04:215."Arere Chandrakala"Karthik, Anjana Sowmya03:266."Nandalaala"Shweta Pandit04:097."Mukunda Theme" (Instrumental
) 01:09Total length:26:06

Release

The film's overseas theatrical distribution rights were acquired by Asian Movies and CineGalaxy, Inc.

Sankranthi release i.e. in mid January 2015.[44] However, the film's release was advanced to 25 December 2014 as a Christmas release to avoid clash with Gopala Gopala.[45] The film was awarded an 'U/A' certificate by Central Board of Film Certification on 19 December 2014 and the release date was locked as 24 December 2014.[46][47] The film released in 75 theaters across United States and premiere shows were held on 23 December 2014.[48] The film however clashed with Chinnadana Nee Kosam which released in equal number of theaters across the world.[49]

It was later dubbed in Hindi as Dushman No.1.[citation needed]

Marketing

The film's first look posters featuring Varun Tej were unveiled on 21 August 2014.[50] The first look teaser was unveiled by Varun Tej on 2 September 2014.[51] A video teaser of the song Chesededo featuring Varun Tej was unveiled a month later on 2 December 2014.[52] A new trailer was unveiled on 6 December 2014.[53]

Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly Varun Tej and Pooja Hegde), dialogues, songs and background score besides criticizing the screenplay, editing and slow pace of the film.[2] Y. Sunitha Chowdary of The Hindu wrote "Since most of the story centres on the debate and dialogue, rather than an expected logical ending, it is likely that many regular cine goers will go home dissatisfied. But for those who appreciate truth, facts of life and intelligent conversations, this is a film smartly interspersed with action and village politics for today’s youth".[54]

Hemanth Kumar of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Every once in a while there comes a film, which stands apart from the rest in terms of the subject it explores and the tone of narrative, although the nuances might not be blatant. You know it's different because it tries to break free from the template of an action comedy, a genre that has become synonymous with Telugu cinema these days. Mukunda is exactly that kind of film and much more. It's a film which is so aware of the milieu that it's exploring that you get sucked into the narrative to have a ringside look at the complex characters that inhabit the canvas the story unfolds on."[55] Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle rated the film 3 out of 5 and stated "Finally it’s not a regular commercial film, a typical Srikanth Addala kind of film, without the double meaning dialogues and vulgarity".[56]

In contrast, IndiaGlitz wrote "Sans loudness and crassness, Mukunda has a scent of SVSC. But it lacks a good story and barring less than four scenes, it hardly has anything to keep up our interest" and rated the film 2.75 out of 5.[57]

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result
2014 Nandi Awards Best Female Playback Singer K. S. Chithra – (for "Gopikamma") Won
CineMAA Awards Best Female Playback Singer Won
Santosham Film Awards Best Female Playback Singer Won
2015 South Indian International Movie Awards[58] Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Mukunda's run time locked". 123telugu.com. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "'Mukunda' Movie Review Roundup: Decent Debut for Varun Tej". International Business Times India. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Puri was supposed to launch Varun Tej". The Times of India. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Srikanth Addala to direct Varun Tej's debut film". The Times of India. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Varun Tej's Debut Film Launched: Pawan Kalyan, Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun Attend". International Business Times India. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Varun Tej Launched In Grandeur". IndiaGlitz. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  7. Oneindia Entertainment
    . 26 February 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  8. ^ "'Gollabhama' title confirmed for Varun Tej". IndiaGlitz. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Varun Tej's film title changed". IndiaGlitz. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Varun Tej's film titled Mukunda". Deccan Chronicle. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Mukunda will be a fabulous film, says Pooja Hegde". The Times of India. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Akshara Haasan or Parineeti for Varun Tej's film". IndiaGlitz. 9 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Varun Tej to play a volleyball player?". The Times of India. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Allu Arjun cameo in Varun Tej's debut film?". The Times of India. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  15. ^ "Allu Arjun's cameo in 'Gollabhama' is just a rumour". IndiaGlitz. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Sekhar Kammula's cameo in 'Mukunda'". IndiaGlitz. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  17. ^ "Shekar Kammula's cameo in Varun's Mukunda?". The Times of India. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Telugu Films Shooting in 'God's Own Country'". IndiaGlitz. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
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  26. ^ "Varun Tej dubs for Mukunda". The Times of India. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  27. ^ "Varun Tej takes part in an election campaign in Mukunda". The Times of India. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Varun Tej, Pooja Hegde groove in Switzerland for Mukunda". The Times of India. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
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  32. ^ "Tracklist". Raaga.com. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
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  34. ^ "Mukunda's audio to be launched in September". The Times of India. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  35. ^ "Varun Tej's Mukunda audio to release in Nov". The Times of India. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
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  42. ^ "Music Review : Mukunda – Classy Album". 123telugu.com. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
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  51. ^ "Varun Tej's 'Mukunda' Teaser Unveiled on Pawan Kalyan's Birthday [VIDEO]". International Business Times India. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
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  53. ^ "New Trailer: Varun Tej's Mukunda". The Times of India. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  54. ^ "Mukunda: One for the discerning viewer". The Hindu. 25 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  55. ^ "Mukunda Movie Review". The Times of India. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
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  58. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2015 Nominations List Of Telugu Movies". Filmibeat.com. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.

External links