Sri Rama Rajyam

Sri Rama Rajyam
Film poster
Directed by	Bapu
Produced by	Yalamanchali Sai Babu
Screenplay by	Bapu Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
Based on	Ramayana  by Valmiki
Starring	Nandamuri Balakrishna Nayantara Srikanth Roja Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography	P. R. K. Raju
Edited by	G. G. Krishna Rao
Production company	Sri Sai Baba Movies
Release dates	17 November 2011 (2011-11-17)[1]
Running time	170 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Budget	400 million (US$6.3 million)[2]
Box office	707 million (US$11 million)

Sri Rama Rajyam is a 2011 devotional Telugu film directed by Bapu based on the epic Ramayana. It was Bapu's final film he had directed. The film depicts Lord Rama's rule of Ayodhya after he returns home from Lanka, his separation from Sita and her reclusive life in the forest as she raises their children Lava and Kusa. The film won seven Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards, including the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film – (Gold) for the year 2011.^[3]

It features Nandamuri Balakrishna as Lord Rama with Nayantara as Sita in the lead roles. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Srikanth and Roja appear in supporting roles. Music of the film is composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Yalamanchali Sai Babu produced the film under Sri Sai Baba Movies banner.^[4] The film was critically acclaimed and a commercial success in overseas.^[5][6][7] The film had a special screening at International Film Festival of India on 28 November 2011.^[8][9] The movie was dubbed into Tamil in 2012 under the same title with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Chinmayi voicing the roles of Balakrishna and Nayanatara respectively.^[10]

Plot

Lord Shrirama (Balakrishna) retains his wife Sita (Nayantara) comes back to their kingdom Ayodhya, after killing Ravana. And Shrirama will continue his charisma in ruling the kingdom after his Pattabhishekam. One day he hears the sweet news that Sita is pregnant. Everything looks fine, but on one day Shrirama came to know that people in his kingdom are having discussions about Sita’s character, as she spent some time in Ravana’s place. So, Rama decides himself to leave Sita and she is sent to the forest. There she was protected by Valmiki and was given shelter in his Ashram. Later she gives birth at Ashram to twins; Lava and Kusa. What are the incidents that happens next forms the Sri Rama Rajyam Story.

Cast

• Nandamuri Balakrishna as Lord Sri Rama
• Nayantara as Sita
• Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Maharshi Valmiki
• Srikanth as Lakshmana
• Roja as Bhudevi
• Brahmanandam as Chakali Tippadu (Washerman)
• Murali Mohan as Janaka Maha Raju
• M. Balaiah as Maharshi Vasistha
• A.V.S as Narada
• Vindu Dara Singh as Hanuman
• Sameer as Bharata
• K. R. Vijaya as Kousalya Devi
• Sudha as Queen Sunaina (Janaka's Wife)
• Sana as Kaika
• Master Gaurav as Lava
• Master Dhanush Kumar as Kusha
• Master Pavan Sriram as Balaraju (Child Hanuman)

Production

Development

Veteran director Bapu announced that he would remake 1963 film Lava Kusa with Balakrishna who reprises the role of Lord Rama which was enacted by his father N. T. Rama Rao in the original film.^[11] Bapu's friend Mullapudi Venkata Ramana has written the screenplay and dialogues for the film and notably was his last film as he passed away before the film's release.^[12] Bapu said that the title of the film was inspired from 1943 Hindi film Ram Rajya.^[13]

Casting

Balakrishna was assigned to play Rama while Nayantara was selected to play Seetha. Balakrishna said that when Saibabu approached him for the role “the moment he said that Bapu is to direct the film, without any questions, he immediately said ‘yes'.^[13] For the character, Balakrishna had to shave off his moustache.^[14] Sandhya Janak was selected to play the role of queen Sumithra.^[15] Saikumar was initially approached to the enact the character of Bharatha but he was eventually replaced by Sameer.^[16] Gaurav, Dhanush and Pawan were selected to play the characters of Lava, Kusa and young Hanuman.^[17]

Filming

The filming began on November 22, 2010.^[19] The costumes for the film was designed by Anu Vardhan. Anu stated that for Nayantara, she went and picked up tulasi mala from authentic places. Balakrishna had used his father's accessories and jewellery and Anu replicated it to match with the heroine.^[20] Yugandhar Tammareddy of Pixelloid said that Bapu and his team gave storyboards down to the last detail. Along with 100 of his team members, Yugandhar had his task cut out. "The breathtaking palace, the pushpaka vimanam, the Bhoodevi sequence…" were all created by his team. Yugandhar said: "For the palace, we asked the filmmakers to erect a 12-foot palace set just so that there is authenticity when people walk on the floor, lean against a wall or touch a piece of furniture. The rest was done on visual effects".^[21] The film was entirely shot at Ramoji Film City with a set erected resembling a kingdom.^[18]

Release

The film was released on 17 November 2011.^[1] The film has been released in Tamil on 27 July 2012. the Malayalam version was released as well. Producer Sai Babu has said that a good response has come from Malayalam movie lovers and is planning to release the Hindi version soon.^[22]

Marketing

The film was publicised with posters attached in tricycles. P. V. V. Raghavendra Babu, general manager of Prathima Multiplex told "We want to bring back olden days of publicity for the latest mythological movie of Sri Rama Rajyam and get film lovers back to the theatres".^[23] Novel of the film based on the screenplay was released in 2012.^[24]

Reception

Critical reception

Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics. CNN-IBN which gave a four stars, said "Sri Rama Rajyam is one film that the Telugu film industry can be proud of. Sri Rama Rajyam is a well-known story, so it's a challenge to remake such a classic, but Bapu's good work turns the remake into another classic. Filmgoers, who look for classics, should not miss this film".^[25]

Deccan Chronicle rated three stars explains "Superstar Balakrishna finally stepped into his legendary father NTR's shoes and impressed audiences playing the role of Lord Rama. Veteran director Bapu deserves all the praise he gets for remaking the classic Lava Kusa (1963) and retaining the soul of the original".^[26] NDTV described as "In all, Sri Rama Rajyam is a feel-good film that brilliantly showcases our ancient culture".^[27]

Oneindia.in noted "Sri Rama Rajyam is a feel good film that showcases our ancient culture, heritage and values. The way Bapu managed to make the film into a visual and musical delight is extraordinary and it is a film that can give you an enriching experience while entertaining you in good measure".^[28] Rediff gave three stars said "Kudos to Bapu and Saibabu for recreating the Ramayana magic on celluloid. Only Bapu, the veteran director, could have executed this mammoth task so well. Sri Ramarajyam is an optical feast. Go for it".^[29] Sify gave verdict as "Good" and says "The movie holds ample strength to live up to the expectations at the box office. Bapu and his associate Ramana does not deviate much from Lava Kusa, and they took great pains to see that the element of exaggeration is completely checked".^[30] Hindu wrote: "The director Bapu should be applauded for re-inventing the mythological and using a glitzy starcast and getting an understated performance from all of them".^[31]

Box office

The film has completed 50 days on 5 January 2012 in 49 centres at the Box office.^[32] The film has completed 100 days on 24 February 2012.^[33]

Awards

Ceremony	Category	Nominee	Result
Nandi Awards - 2011	Best Feature Film – Gold	Sai Babu	Won
	Best Actress	Nayanatara	Won
	Best Music Director	Ilaiyaraaja	Won
	Best Cinematography	Raju	Won
	Best Make Up	P. Ram Babu	Won
	Best Female Dubbing Artist	Sunitha	Won
	Best Choreographer	Sreenu	Won
59th Filmfare Awards South[34]	Best Actress – Telugu	Nayanatara	Won
	Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu	Sreya Ghoshal ("Jagadhananda Karaka")	Won
	Best Lyricist – Telugu	Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao ("Jagadhananda Karaka")	Won
1st South Indian International Movie Awards	Best Cinematographer	P. R. K. Raju	Won

Soundtrack

Sri Rama Rajyam
Soundtrack album by Ilaiyaraaja
Released	15 August 2011 (2011-08-15)
Recorded	2011
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	50:25
Language	Telugu
Label	Aditya Music
Producer	Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja chronology
Gaayam 2 (2010) Sri Rama Rajyam (2011) Dhoni (2012)

The audio of the film was released on 15 August 2011 and the launch was held at Bhadrachalam under Bhadradri Ramayya and Seetamma’s Sannidi on the same day.^[35][36] The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and it features 15 tracks. The lyrics for Telugu version were penned by Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao while Mankombu Gopalakrishnan and Piraisoodan penned lyrics for Malayalam and Tamil versions respectively.

Telugu version

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Jagadananda Karaka"	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Shreya Ghoshal	5:16
2.	"Evadunnadee lokamlo"	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	1:32
3.	"Sitarama Charitam"	Shreya Ghoshal, Shweta Mohan	6:35
4.	"Srirama Lera"	Shreya Ghoshal, Sriram Parthasarathy	4:47
5.	"Devulle Mechchindi"	K. S. Chitra, Shreya Ghoshal	5:25
6.	"Gali Ningi Neeru"	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	4:36
7.	"Ramayanamu"	K. S. Chitra, Shreya Ghoshal	6:30
8.	"Dandakam"	Surabhi Shravani, Keertana	1:13
9.	"Sita Shrimantam"	Shreya Ghoshal	4:59
10.	"Rama Rama"	Swetha Mohan, Anita	4:35
11.	"Kalaya Nijama"	Tippu	1:55
12.	"Idi Pattabhi Ramuni"	Swetha Mohan	2:37
13.	"Saptashwarathamarudham"	S. P. Balasubramanyam	1:10
14.	"Shankuchakralu Polina"	Swetha Mohan	1:02
15.	"Mangalam Ramunaku"	Anita, Keertana	0:53
Total length:			50:25

Malayalam version^[37]

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Jagadananda Karaka"	Madhu Balakrishnan, Preethi	5:16
2.	"Aarundivide Ulakathil"	Madhu Balakrishnan	1:32
3.	"Sitarama Charitam"	Preetha, Ranjini Jose	6:35
4.	"Pattabhisheka"	Ganesa Sundaram	0:55
5.	"Ramaniduvan"	Preetha, Ranjini Jose	3:41
6.	"Seethaseemandham"	Chithra	4:59
7.	"Vaayuvaanam"	Madhu Balakrishnan	4:38
8.	"Devarkalikichicha"	Ranjini Jose, Preetha	4:38
9.	"Rama Rama"	Monisha	3:11
10.	"Thambula Ragangal"	Jyotsna	2:19
11.	"Hrudutha Pathaksha"	Madhu Balakrishnan	0.48
12.	"Idhu Pattabhi Rama"	Swetha	2:37
13.	"Saptashwarathamarudham"	S. P. Balasubramanyam	1:10
14.	"Sanguchankrangal"	Monisha	1:02
15.	"Mangalam Raghurama"	Jyotsna	0:53
Total length:			50:25

Tamil version^[38]

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Jagadananda Karaka"	SPB, Chinmayi	5:16
2.	"Evan Irukkar"	SPB	1:32
3.	"Sitarama Charitam"	Swetha Mohan	6:35
4.	"Pattabhisheka"	Ganesa Sundaram	0:55
5.	"Sree Ramavaarai"	Sakyath, Chinmayi	3:41
6.	"Seethaseemandham"	Chinmayi	4:59
7.	"Kanava Nijama"	Tippu	1.38
8.	"Devargal Thittikka"	Chithra, Chinmayi	4:38
9.	"Rama Rama"	Swetha, Anitha, Chinmayi	3:11
10.	"Divya Soundarya"	Antiha, Keerthana	2:19
11.	"Kaatru Vaanam"	SPB	0.48
12.	"Idhu Pattabhi"	Swetha	2:37
13.	"Saptashwarathamarudham"	S. P. Balasubramanyam	1:10
14.	"Sanguchankrangal"	Swetha	1:02
15.	"Mangalam Ramanukku"	Anitha, Chinmayi	0:53
Total length:			50:25

Others

• VCDs and DVDs on - Sri Balaji Videos, Hyderabad

References

External links

• Sri Rama Rajyam at the Internet Movie Database