Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (transl. Veera Raghava along with Aravinda) is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language action drama film[2][5] written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Pooja Hegde, and Jagapathi Babu. It revolves around Veera Raghava, a young man who engages in a violent fight with henchmen from a rival village. He escapes to Hyderabad and decides to stay away from violence in order to bring peace between the two villages whose people have been constantly affected by the feud for 30 years. S. Thaman composed the soundtrack, in his official 100th musical composition.
Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava was released theatrically on 11 October 2018 to positive reviews praising performances (especially N. T. Rama Rao Jr, Pooja Hegde and Jagapathi Babu), emotional weight of the story, action choreography, Trivikram's writing and direction, Thaman's soundtrack and background score. The film was a commercial success grossing ₹165 crore worldwide, becoming the 2nd highest-grossing Telugu film of 2018.[6] Jagapathi Babu won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance.
Plot
In Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, a 30-year feud divides the villages of Kommaddi and Nallagudi, led by Narappa Reddy and Basi Reddy, respectively. The ongoing conflict has caused extensive suffering, especially for the families involved. The reason why this feud started is because 30 years ago Basi Reddy was playing cards with a villager from Kommaddi. When the villager won, Basi reddy refused to pay 5 rupees as part of the bet. The villager insulted him for being arrogant and Basi Reddy beheaded him as he got angry. Because of this, the fued started and both Basi Reddy and Narappa Reddy lost their fathers in this fight. 30 years later, Narappa Reddy eagerly anticipates the return of his son, Veera Raghava Reddy, who has been in London for the past 12 years for his studies. However, on their way home from the railway station, they are ambushed by Basi Reddy's men, resulting in the deaths of Narappa Reddy and his brother-in-law. Raghava survives the attack and retaliates by killing Basi Reddy's men and stabbing Basi Reddy in the neck, leaving him presumed dead.
Raghava returns home with his father's and uncle's bodies, leaving his family devastated. His grandmother, Jeji, and his henchman's wife, Nagamani, help him reconsider the cycle of violence, leading him to leave for Hyderabad in hopes that his absence will reduce hostilities between the villages. In Hyderabad, Raghava befriends Neelambari, a mechanic, and rescues Aravinda, the daughter of lawyer Saradhi, from goons who hold a grudge against her father. When Neelambari is arrested for unknowingly carrying Raghava’s gun, Raghava seeks Saradhi's help to secure his release. Saradhi agrees to help if Raghava will protect his daughters, Aravinda and Sunanda, from the threats against them. Raghava agrees and soon bonds with Aravinda's younger sister, though Aravinda initially keeps her distance.
Meanwhile, Basi Reddy, who survived Raghava's earlier attack, convinces his son Bala Reddy to kill Raghava. During this time, Raghava shares a story inspired by his life with Aravinda's younger brother, Prateek, which is published in the school periodical. Basi Reddy's men, upon reading it, try to kidnap Prateek to lure Raghava out, but Raghava intervenes and stops the attempt without taking any lives. Realizing Basi Reddy is alive, Raghava is cautious yet determined to avoid further bloodshed.
Bala Reddy, seeking revenge, kidnaps Aravinda and Prateek, but Raghava contacts Basi Reddy, threatening his son's life if his family members are not released. After ensuring their safety, Raghava decides to leave Hyderabad at Saradhi's request, but not before recounting his past to Aravinda and her family. Intrigued, Aravinda decides to create a documentary on the village factions and travels to Kommaddi, accompanied by Neelambari. In Kommaddi, she learns more about the conflict and grows closer to Raghava, confessing her feelings for him over the phone.
Raghava later attends a conference with Bala Reddy and influential ministers, attempting to broker a peace treaty between the villages. Although Bala Reddy initially resists, Raghava eventually convinces him. However, Basi Reddy, upon learning of the peace effort, kills his son in a rage. When one of Basi Reddy's henchmen identifies Aravinda as Raghava's love interest, Basi Reddy takes her and Neelambari hostage.
In a final showdown, Basi Reddy calls Raghava to a field, where he wounds Aravinda and Neelambari in a bid to provoke Raghava into a fight. Raghava resists, reluctant to continue the cycle of violence. Basi Reddy then reveals that he killed Bala Reddy and framed Raghava, hoping to reignite the feud. Two of Basi Reddy's men, witnessing Raghava's restraint, realize Basi Reddy's ruthlessness and take Aravinda and Neelambari to a hospital. Left with no other option, Raghava kills Basi Reddy, setting the field ablaze to obscure the evidence.
Afterwards, Raghava confesses to Basi Reddy's widow, who agrees to end the cycle of violence by publicly claiming that Basi Reddy killed his son and then fled. She files a police report to corroborate her claim, and Raghava nominates her as the MLA, which she accepts to bring peace to the villages.
The discussion for this film began with NTR, when Rao was shooting Nannaku Prematho in 2015 and finally materialised in 2018.[7]Pooja Hegde was selected to collaborate with Rao for the first time.[8]Anirudh Ravichander, who was initially signed on composing the music was replaced by S. Thaman after the failure of Agnyaathavaasi.[9]
The shooting for the film began on 6 April 2018 with an action sequence in Ramoji Film City of Hyderabad.[10] Filming also took place in Pollachi in June.[11] The shoot was completed in September 2018. Pooja Hegde dubbed her voice in Telugu for the first time in this film.[12]
Themes
Aravinda Sametha is based on the factionalism present in the region of Rayalaseema, a theme which was dominant in Telugu cinema during late 1990s and early 2000s.[13]
"In most of the films based on Rayalaseema factionalism, only the act of violence was glorified; however, none of those films focused on the aftermath of a war. Both Jr NTR and I became interested in starting our story with a bloody act of war to give the film a context and then explore how the protagonist shuns that path to bring peace. Later, when I came up with the idea of focusing on the lives of women and how families are torn apart due to such violence, it gave us a lot more depth to explore."
The soundtrack album of Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava features four songs composed by S. Thaman, with one song being added in the extended soundtrack of the film.[14] The audio rights were of the film were purchased by Zee Music Company. Lyrics for the songs were written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, Ramajogayya Sastry, and Penchal Das. Initially, the makers planned to release the full audio album directly into the market, without hosting any audio launch event for the film.[15]
The first single track titled "Anaganaganaga" was released on 15 September 2018.[16] On 18 September 2018, the makers unveiled the second single track titled "Peniviti" sung by Kaala Bhairava, which was termed as an intense, raw, rustic number.[17] The lyrical video of Yeda Poyinadu was released on 25 September 2018.
The tracklist was unveiled on 19 September 2018, and the complete soundtrack album was unveiled the following day, on 20 September 2018.[18]
Marketing and release
On 19 May 2018, the title of the film was revealed as Aravinda Sametha.[19]Jr. NTR was featured in a chiseled avatar who worked out extensively with international trainer Lloyd Stevens for his new look for the film.[20] Also S. Thaman's background music in the motion poster was appreciated by fans.[21] The promotions of the film were commence on 10 September 2018.[22]
A pre-release event was held on 2 October 2018, at H.I.C.C. Novotel hotel in Hyderabad, where the makers also launched the theatrical trailer of the film.[23] The trailer received predominantly positive response from all corners.[24]
Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava was released theatrically on 11 October 2018. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Idhu Ennoda Jilla.[25] The film's Japanese Blu-ray was officially released on 3 April 2024.[26]
Reception
Critical reception
The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars stating, "An emotional drama camouflaged in a commercial exterior, here's a film that's courageous to stand apart from slapstick madness. Trivikram's treatment of this plot scores over his indulgence as Jr NTR delivers another fine performance".[27]
India Today gave 3 out of 5 stars stating, "Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava is a commercial actioner backed by Trivikram's engaging script and Jr NTR's excellent performance. After the debacle of Pawan Kalyan-starrer Agnyaathavaasi, director Trivikram Srinivas has bounced back with Jr NTR's Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava".[28]
News18 gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Jr NTR elevates tried-tested story of factionalism".[29]Hindustan Times gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Jr NTR is the torchbearer of peace in a film on factionalism".[30]
