Bengal Tiger (2015 film)

Bengal Tiger is an upcoming Telugu film written and directed by Sampath Nandi and produced by K.K. Radha Mohan under the banner Sri Satya Sai Arts. It features Ravi Teja, Tamannaah and Rashi Khanna in the lead roles while Boman Irani, Rao Ramesh and Sayaji Shinde appear in crucial supporting roles. Production began on 30 January 2015 at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad and principal photography began on 4 March 2015. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 18 September 2015 coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi.

Cast

• Ravi Teja
• Tamannaah
• Rashi Khanna
• Brahmanandam
• Boman Irani
• Rao Ramesh
• Sayaji Shinde
• Posani Krishna Murali
• Rama Prabha
• Tanikella Bharani
• Nagineedu
• Harshvardhan Rane (cameo appearance)

Production

Development

Sampath Nandi was supposed to direct Pawan Kalyan in the sequel of Gabbar Singh (2012). The film was delayed for years and later Sampath chose to direct Ravi Teja after walking out of that project.^[1] Ravi Teja confirmed the news and said that he would start working on this film after completing Kick 2 (2015).^[2] The film's title was reported as Bengal Tiger in mid November 2014.^[3] The same was confirmed later on 15 November 2014 and K.K. Radha Mohan announced that he would produce this film on Sri Satya Sai Arts banner.^[4] At the same time, Sampath Nandi confirmed that the script work is in its final stages.^[5]

It was speculated that the film's script was the same which were prepared by Sampath for the sequel of Gabbar Singh and also the title Bengal Tiger was considered for that sequel. In the past, Ravi Teja acted in Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (2003) and Idiot (2002) which were rejected by Pawan Kalyan.^[6] It was later known that Sampath Nandi wrote the film's script long back keeping Ravi Teja's image in mind but wanted to approach him after gaining recognition which happened after the release of Racha (2012).^[7] Soundararajan was selected as the cinematographer who revealed that the film is a mass action film.^[8] The film was officially launched on 30 January 2015 at Ramanaidu Studios.^[9]

Casting

Tamannaah (left) and Rashi Khanna (right) were signed in as the female leads marking their first collaboration with Ravi Teja.

While announcing his collaboration with Ravi Teja, Sampath Nandi said that this film would feature two female leads while the rest of the cast crew were being finalized.^[2] Tamannaah, who worked with Sampath Nandi in Racha, was signed as one of the female leads.^[10] Ravi Teja was reportedly keen on working with her.^[7] Rashi Khanna was approached to play the second female lead in mid December 2014.^[11] She later confirmed her inclusion adding that she would play a parallel female lead along with Tamannaah in the film.^[12]

Boman Irani was cast for a crucial supporting role.^[13] Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali and Sayaji Shinde were cast for key supporting roles.^[14] Nassar was signed in on for a key supporting role as well.^[7] Ramaprabha, Tanikella Bharani, Nagineedu and Prabhu joined the film's cast in its first schedule.^[15] Harshvardhan Rane made a cameo appearance in the film as Khanna's lover. He added that it was his "most stylish" role he ever played in a Telugu film and there would be a "very interesting" love triangle between him, Ravi Teja and Khanna.^[16]

Khanna and Rao Ramesh were reported to be seen in the characters of common people in a society while Brahmanandam was reported to be seen in an important role.^[17]

Filming

The principal photography began on 4 March 2015 at Ramoji Film City where scenes focusing Irani, Khanna, Shinde and others were shot until 14 March 2015.^[18] On its completion, the next schedule began from 10 April 2015 and Ravi Teja joined the film's sets along with Tamannaah and other supporting cast. The schedule was announced to be shot in Ramoji Film City, Chilkur and other areas around Hyderabad until 6 May 2015.^[19] Harshvardhan Rane joined the film's sets on 13 April 2015.^[16] Filming continued in Shamshabad from 22 April 2015,^[20] after which scenes on Ravi Teja, Tamannaah and Khanna were shot in a railway station backdrop at Ramoji Film City.^[21]

Release

The film was announced to release in October 2015.^[22] Later the makers announced the film's worldwide release date as 18 September 2015 coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi.^[23]

References