Annavaram (film)

Annavaram
Directed by	Bhimaneni Srinivasa Rao
Screenplay by	Bhimaneni Srinivasa Rao
Dialogues by	Abburi Ravi
Story by	Perarasu
Based on	Thirupaachi
Produced by	N. V. Prasad Paras Jain R. B. Choudary (presenter)
Starring	Pawan Kalyan Asin Sandhya
Cinematography	Sethu Sriram
Edited by	Gautham Raju
Music by	Ramana Gogula (Songs) Dhina (Score)
Production company	Megaa Super Good Films
Distributed by	Dil Raju Super Good Films Usha Pictures
Release date	29 December 2006 (2006-12-29)
Running time	174 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Annavaram is a 2006 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Bhimaneni Srinivasa Rao and stars Pawan Kalyan, Asin and Sandhya in the lead roles.^[1][2] Megaa Super Good Films produced the film. The film is a remake of Tamil film Thirupaachi (2005). The film released on 29 December 2006. It was an above average grosser at the box-office. It also marked Asin's last Telugu film, to date.^[3]

Annavaram is a blacksmith living in a remote village, where he has a beloved sister named Varam. As he seeks a groom for Varam, he encounters numerous humorous incidents. Annavaram confides in his friend Narasimha that he wishes for his sister to live in a good city after her marriage. When a city suitor proposes to Varam, Annavaram agrees to the match and accompanies the newlyweds to Hyderabad. There, he falls in love with Aishwarya after a series of mishaps.

During his time in Hyderabad, Annavaram saves a court witness from Tappas Balu, a notorious don who controls central Hyderabad. He also discovers Gutkha Pandu, a local don who rules northern Hyderabad and disrupts Varam's husband's canteen business. In a confrontation at Golconda Fort, Narasimha is murdered by Puranapool Ganga, Gutkha Pandu’s elder brother, who dominates southern Hyderabad. Varam’s husband advises Annavaram to leave Hyderabad for his sister’s happiness. After Narasimha's funeral, Annavaram departs his hometown, claiming he has secured a job at a cloth manufacturing company, but in reality, he embarks on a mission.

Annavaram, using the alias "Pothuraju," begins his crusade by killing 20 of Ganga's henchmen and a corrupt sub-inspector who works for Ganga. He warns Ganga that he will be the next target and threatens to eliminate all the dons in Hyderabad, criticizing the police department's failure to act. Annavaram’s friend, Sairam, a police inspector, learns of his plan and is challenged by Annavaram to apprehend at least one thug to stop him. Sairam fails and loses his son, who is killed by Balu.

Motivated by this tragedy, Sairam assists Annavaram by detailing the entire mafia network in Hyderabad, specifying the leaders of various territories. Annavaram writes down their names and randomly selects Balu as his first target.

Balu receives a letter from Pothuraju threatening his life within 24 hours. Seeking protection, Balu approaches ACP J. D. Yadav, who refuses, criticizing Balu’s previous harassment of the public. Balu retaliates by kidnapping Yadav's daughter, demanding that Yadav stop Pothuraju. Disguised as a wounded man, Annavaram is captured by Balu’s henchmen and reveals his identity in front of Balu. He kills Balu and his henchmen, declaring his actions as "slaying of demons," and rescues Yadav's daughter.

Aishwarya meets Annavaram at the temple and discovers that he is not employed at a cloth manufacturing company. Annavaram convinces her that he works in a travel agency, and she extracts a promise from him to visit her frequently.

Annavaram then targets Gutkha Pandu, challenging him to save himself. Pandu hides in a politician’s residence, and the politician damages his own property to deceive the police into providing security. Annavaram uses this distraction to infiltrate the politician’s house, where he kills Pandu with the help of a crowd rallying against a fictitious financier.

ACP Yadav questions the rally participants about Pothuraju's identity, but they refuse to divulge information, feeling Annavaram is doing the police’s job. Yadav's daughter, saved by Pothuraju, also refuses to reveal his identity.

Annavaram announces his plan to kill Ganga on December 31, sending him a coffin and funeral posters. Enraged, Ganga beats his wife and seeks protection from a large group of thugs. Annavaram orchestrates a confrontation between the police and the mafia, disguising himself as a police inspector and infiltrating Ganga’s fortress. With Sairam’s help, Annavaram tricks the thugs by using a disguised dead thug to provoke a police assault.

As the New Year approaches, Annavaram stabs Ganga and throws him from a window, escaping before the police realize the ruse. The police celebrate the New Year, oblivious to Annavaram's actions. Finally, Aishwarya welcomes Annavaram, along with Varam and her husband, after he completes his mission.

The muhurat shot of the film took place on 15 December 2005 at Annapoorna Studios with Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh attending as guests.^[4]

Ramana Gogula composed music for the film. The album was launched in stores on 14 December 2006. One bit song, "Aa Devudu Naakosam," was reused from the original film but was rendered in Telugu by Chithra.

• "Raakshasa Raajyam" – Shankar Mahadevan
• "Lucia" – Ramana Gogula
• "Jarra Soodu" – Tippu
• "Neevalle Neevalle" – Kalyani
• "Annayya Annavante" – Mano & Ganga
• "Aa Devudu Naakosam" – K. S. Chithra & Ramana Gogula

Idlebrain opined that "The plus points of the film are Pawan Kalyan, sentimental scenes with sister and the killing strategies in the second half. On the flip side, the direction of the film is old-fashioned".^[5] Rediff called the film "watchable".^[6]

• Annavaram at IMDb