Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Krish Jagarlamudi
Screenplay by	Krish Jagarlamudi
Dialogues by	Sai Madhav Burra
Story by	Krish Jagarlamudi
Produced by	Saibabu Jagarlamudi Y. Rajeev Reddy
Starring	Rana Daggubati Nayanthara
Cinematography	Gnana Shekar V. S.
Edited by	Shravan Katikaneni
Music by	Mani Sharma
Production company	First Frame Entertainment
Distributed by	Reliance Entertainment 7 Seas Inc (overseas)[1]
Release date	30 November 2012 (2012-11-30) (India)
Running time	139 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Box office	₹450 million (US$5.6 million)[2]

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (transl. Praise Krishna, the Guru of the Universe) is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Krish and jointly produced by Saibabu Jagarlamudi and Rajeev Reddy on First Frame Entertainment. It has received universal acclaim for combining the art form of Surabhi and an action flick based on illegal mining in Bellary.^[3] It stars Rana Daggubati and Nayanthara,^[4] while Kota Srinivasa Rao, Milind Gunaji, Murali Sharma, Brahmanandam, Posani Krishna Murali, and L. B. Sriram appear in supporting roles. Mani Sharma composed the music for the film.

It was released on 30 November 2012 to high critical acclaim and was declared a hit at the box office.^[5]

Plot

Devika, a journalist and informer of CBI, films the miseries of a tribe in Bellary, whose place of inhabitance, an iron ore deposit, was burnt to ashes in a wildfire, that was reputedly fabricated by Reddappa, a callous business tycoon, for mining.

In Hyderabad, Babu, a gifted artist, performs in stage plays for Surabhi, a theatrical troupe founded by his adoptive grandfather Subramanyam. Nevertheless, Babu disregards the art and adamantly desires to pursue a better career in the USA. Disappointed with his intentions, Subramanyam dies of grief in his sleep, disheartening Babu and the troupe, who plan to disband after performing one last play Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, authored by Subramanyam, in Bellary. Babu encounters Devika in his accommodation and sparks fly. Veeraraju, one of Babu's companions, engages in an altercation with Reddappa's henchman Saida, who slashes his tongue mercilessly. Babu approaches the police to file a complaint but they, being corrupt, repudiate to accept the petition. An outraged Saida intrudes on the troupe in Babu's absence and urinates on Subramanyam's ashes, intimidating them. Vengeful, Babu hires a taxi of Tippu Sultan to travel to the mines, where he would be present. On the way, they stumble upon Devika and offer her a ride to the mines. Babu quarrels with Reddappa's henchmen and proceeds to another place to meet Saida but en route, he meets Jogamma, an acquaintance of Subramanyam, who has been yearning to meet Babu.

Jogamma narrates to Babu that the latter's father Rammoorthy Naidu (a forest range officer), mother and Jogamma's husband (Naidu's colleague) were ruthlessly stabbed to death by the former's younger brother Chakravarthy as Naidu was intent on apprehending him for smuggling ivory and murdering a teenager. Jogamma had absconded with Babu, who was a toddler, and gave him to Subramanyam, who offered to adopt him as he owed Naidu. Babu dedicates himself to avenging his parents' deaths and goes in pursuit of Chakravarthy. Babu and Devika overhear Reddappa citing Chakravarthy to be his foe as he thwarts an assassination attempt on himself. After a chase, the duo are wounded in a car crash and found by the tribe, whose residence was burnt. They treat the couple; Babu persuades the community to let their children find jobs in the city and contain their anger for Reddappa. He meets Matti Raju, a deeply affected citizen, who is extremely desperate to save the land and eliminate Reddappa. Reddappa kills Prasad, who assisted Devika in gathering evidence against him, in wake of which, Babu advises Devika to stop resisting Reddappa but she refuses to back off and sets out to Bangalore with Tippu and evidence. She unintentionally gets entangled in a chase after Chakravarthy makes another unsuccessful assassination attempt on Reddappa; she notifies Chakravarthy of Babu and tells him that Babu will soon kill him. Chakravarthy discloses that Reddappa is the actual Chakravarthy, who, having stolen Reddappa's identity, pinned the blame for all the crimes on Reddappa, who is presently presumed to be Chakravarthy.

The actual Reddappa is seized by Chakravarthy's men, who mutilate his vocal cords, rendering him mute. Babu returns to his troupe and prepares to perform the play. He analyzes the morals behind the play and regrets hurting Subramanyam when he was alive. Tippu hands all the evidence exposing Reddappa's (the real Chakravarthy) crimes that Devika left with him to Babu. Babu murders Saida in the real Chakravarthy's presence, who upon perceiving his identity, offers to bring Chakravarthy (Reddappa) to him and let him fulfill his vengeance. Babu agrees and performs with great enthusiasm and interest while a mute Reddappa is brought to Babu, who comes off the stage to kill him but he also attempts to murder Chakravarthy alias Reddappa, in wake of his crimes. Jogamma identifies the person Babu has been presuming to be Reddappa as Chakravarthy, prompting Babu to reach a conclusion while Devika arrives. Despite being heavily wounded, Babu subdues Chakravarthy and hands him over to the enraged tribal people and Matti Raju, who immolate him. Babu immerses Subramanyam's ashes in Tungabhadra, having fulfilled his duty.

Cast

Production

Rana was cast for the lead role of Babu, a young drama artist.^[6] Nayanthara was cast to play the crucial role of a documentary filmmaker. She dubbed for the role herself.^[7] Sameera Reddy was hired for an item number^[8] with Venkatesh making a cameo appearance in this movie.^[9]

Soundtrack

The audio launch of Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum was held on 7 October 2012 in Hyderabad. Rather differently, the film's director Krish and hero Rana Daggubati played the hosts apart from Gayathri Bhargavi. Nayantara, who seldom attends audio events, attended the function. Others who graced the event include Venkatesh, S. S. Rajamouli, Dil Raju, D. Ramanaidu, Sirivennela Sitaramasastri, Mani Sharma, and Kota Srinivasa Rao. Venkatesh gave the first CD to S. S. Rajamouli.^[10]

Release

The Central Board of Film Certification rated it U/A^[11] with 14 cuts and violence in all fights has been reduced by at least 50%. Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum was expected to open in 1,000 screens worldwide and is likely to outnumber Aamir Khan's Talaash in terms of screens in south India. The film was to be released across an equal number of screens in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.^[12]

The film was simultaneously released as Ongaram in Tamil and as Action Khiladi in Malayalam.^[13] It was also dubbed and released in Hindi as Krishna Ka Badla in 2014.^[14]

Reception

idlebrain.com jeevi gave a rating of 3/5 stating "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is film that mixes the sensibilities of Krish with commercial elements."^[15] Riya Chakravarthy of NDTV gave a review stating: "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a mix of a commendable acting and a good script. Like with his previous movies, Krish has once again proved his directorial credentials with this film. Overall, a good watch that will appeal to all types of audience."^[16] Rediff gave a review stating "All in all, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a film to be seen for its fine story and well-defined characteristation. It is both thought-provoking and entertaining and the music, camera work, acting and technical elements are all good. Go watch KVJ."^[17] Oneindia.in gave a rating 3.5/5 stating "Overall, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is both a good entertainer and a thought provoking movie. Rana will definitely rock you. Don't miss it this weekend."^[18] Mahesh S Koneru of 123telugu.com gave a review of rating 3.5/5 stating "'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' is a riveting entertainer, one of those rare films where entertainment and thought provoking narration exist together. Don't be fooled by the slow start to the film. More importantly, don't miss a chance to catch 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' this weekend."^[19] Mirchi9.com gave a review stating "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a thought provoking intense entertainer which carries an inherent message in it. Leaving aside the commercial dynamics of the movie, the movie is a must watch."^[20] Tikkview.com gives 3.9/5 for this film saying that it is a mass movie.^[21]

Awards

Box office

The film collected around 151 m in 20 days worldwide.^[2]

References

External links

• Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum at IMDb