Venky Mama

Venky Mama (transl. Uncle Venky) is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film[1] produced by D. Suresh Babu, T. G. Vishwa Prasad under Suresh Productions and People's Media Factory banners and directed by K. S. Ravindra. The film stars Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya, Raashi Khanna, and Payal Rajput, while Prakash Raj, Nassar, and Rao Ramesh in supporting roles. Music is composed by S. Thaman while Prasad Murella and Prawin Pudi handled cinematography and editing, respectively.[5]

Venky Mama
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. S. Ravindra
Produced byD. Suresh Babu
T. G. Vishwa Prasad
Written bySrikanth Vissa (dialogues)
Screenplay byKona Venkat
K. Chakravarthy Reddy
Story byK. Janardhana Maharshi
StarringVenkatesh
Naga Chaitanya
Raashi Khanna
Payal Rajput
Music byS. Thaman
CinematographyPrasad Murella
Edited byPrawin Pudi
Production
company
Suresh Productions
People's Media Factory
Release date
  • 13 December 2019 (2019-12-13)
Running time
144 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹45 crore[2]
Box officeest. ₹72 crore[3][4]

The film was released on 13 December 2019, coinciding with Venkatesh's birthday, to mixed reviews from critics but praise for Venkatesh’s performance and ended up as a commercial success at the box office.[3][6]

Plot

The film begins at Draksharama where a well-known personality Ramanarayana, an astrologer, lives with his wife Lakshmi and son Venkatarathnam. Ramanarayana opposes his daughter's marriage, as he foresaw the couple's death penalty, soon after, a year of their son Karthik’s birth. Just like Ramanarayana predicted, Karthik loses his parents in a tragic accident. Here, Ramanarayana warns that the kid also brings bummer to his family and suggests to hand him over to his paternal grandparents. However, Venkatarathnam / Venky Mama denies it and rears his infant nephew with care and affection, even omitting his goal of enrollment in the army.

Years roll by, and now the scene shifts to Kashmir where Venkatarathnam is under the search of Karthik, who left home without informing. Immediately, Venkatarathnam steps into army protected area and gets prosecuted when he tries to convince the army officers regarding Karthik. However, they affirm the absence of such a person in their regiment, but Venkatarathnam persists to meet him. So, he starts narrating their story. After completion of engineering, Karthik disdains various jobs because he prefers to stay behind his uncle. Nevertheless, his grandfather always needles. Later, Karthik realizes that Venkatarathnam has forsaken his marital life for his nurture, so he determines to get a perfect match for him. Just as, he is acquainted with newly appointed Hindi teacher Vennela and strives to develop intimacy with her, which she misunderstands. Besides, Karthik's ex-lover Harika, daughter of malicious MLA Pasupathi arrives at the village. Thereupon, Venkatarathnam learns their love affair and chases Harika to seek the reason behind their break up which too, misfires. Right now, Karthik succeeds to make Vennela fall for his uncle. Parallelly, Venkatarathnam also knows from Harika about their detachment is of Karthik's prioritization to his uncle than her and his life. Being cognizant of it, Venkatarathnam decides to disentangle with Karthik and send him to London. At that point, Karthik proclaims that nobody can divide him from his uncle, including him. Overhearing their conversation, Harika repents and understands Karthik's virtue.

Afterward, Venkatarathnam approaches Pasupathi with the marriage proposal. At that moment, Pasupathi bids to aid Venkatarathnam in the upcoming election because his word is an ordinance to the public in the area. Anyhow, the plan back-pedals when Venkatarathnam spares and ignominies him. All at once, an enraged Pasupathi ploys to slay out Karthik when Venkatarathnam shields him. During the interval, as a flabbergast, Ramanarayana asserts that according to Karthik's horoscope, he is born to kill his maternal uncle and the only redress is to split them. Listening to it, Venkatarathnam and Karthik refuse to accept it. But unfortunately, the word befalls as several incidents which make Karthik realize and leaves the house for the protection of his uncle. After three years, Ramanarayana announces the actuality by Karthik's presence in the army to fulfill his uncle's ambition. Momentarily the story shifts to present when Venkatarathnam ascertains that Karthik is seized as a hostage by the terrorist to stand-off for their leader who is already dead. During that plight, Venkatarathnam determines to swap as the terrorist in the know that it is a suicide mission to him. By the time of hand-off, due to Karthik's horoscope, he fires Venkatarathnam oversight him as a blackguard. At last, Karthik saves his uncle from the deathbed with his idolization confronting the horoscope. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note by uncle & nephew pairing up with their love interests with an axiom that horoscope is just a belief but love is a reality.

Cast

Production

Development

D. Ramanaidu, father of Venkatesh Daggubati and grandfather of Naga Chaitanya, wanted both actors to be seen together on screen, D. Suresh Babu, elder son of Ramanaidu and producer of the film said on the occasion of his father 83rd birth anniversary.[7] So, when Suresh Babu was in search of the story, writer Janardhana Maharshi pitched a story to him which he liked and later writer and director KS Ravindra was joined to direct the film and developed of the story line of Janardhana and he made major changes to it.[8][9]

Venkatesh after multi-starrers like Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu with Mahesh Babu, Masala with Ram Pothineni, Gopala Gopala with Pawan Kalyan, and F2 – Fun and Frustration with Varun Tej, is doing another multi-starrer, this time with his nephew Naga Chaitanya.[10] Before this Venkatesh did a cameo role in Chaitanya's film Premam,[11] this is the first time they are doing a full-length role together in a film.[12]

The film was officially launched at Ramanaidu Studios by director VV Vinayak as chief guest. It is jointly produced by People Media Factory and Suresh Productions.[13]

Casting

Initially, it was reported that Shriya Saran and Rakul Preet Singh were cast in the lead roles.[14][15] But they were subsequently replaced by Payal Rajput and Raashi Khanna, respectively.[16][17]

Filming

Principal photography began on the banks of Godavari River on 24 February 2019,[18] and completed its first schedule in Rajahmundry.[19] In March 2019, while shooting for an action sequence Venkatesh was injured and advised to take two weeks rest.[20]

The second schedule was started in April 2019 in Hyderabad.[21] Filming was also done in Kashmir and Visakhapatnam,[22] and was wrapped up in June 2019.[23][24]

Soundtrack
Venky Mama
Soundtrack album by
S. Thaman
Released10 December 2019
Recorded2019
VenueChennai
Mumbai
Hyderabad
StudioV studios
YRF Studios
SAL
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length15:34
LabelAditya Music
ProducerS. Thaman
S. Thaman chronology
Magamuni
(2019)		 Venky Mama
(2019)		 Prati Roju Pandage
(2019)
External audio
Official Audio Jukebox on YouTube
Singles from Venky Mama
  1. "Venky Mama"
    Released: 07 November 2019
  2. "Yennellako"
    Released: 16 November 2019
  3. "Coca Cola Pepsi"
    Released: 04 December 2019

Music was composed by S. Thaman, and released on Aditya Music company.[25]

The first song Venky Mama was released on 7 November 2019, Sung by Sri Krishna, Mohana Bhogaraju and lyrics penned by Ramajogayya Sastry, the song tells deep bond between uncle (Venkatesh) and his nephew (Chaitanya).[26]

The second song Yennellako was released on 16 November 2019, on the occasion of the music director S. Thaman birthday, Sung by Prudhvi Chandra, S. Thaman and lyrics penned by Sri Mani.[27]

The third song Coca Cola Pepsi mass-song was released on 4 December 2019, sung by Aditi Bhavaraju, Ramya Behara, Simha and Hanuman; its lyrics were written by Kasarla Shyam.[28]

Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Venky Mama"Ramajogayya SastrySri Krishna, Mohana Bhogaraju4:15
2."Yennellako"Sri ManiPrudhvi Chandra, S. Thaman3:36
3."Coca Cola Pepsi"Kasarla ShyamSimha, Ramya Behara, Aditi Bhavaraju, Hanuman3:41
4."Nuvvu Nenu"Sri ManiAnurag Kulkarni, Nanditha4:02
Total length:15:34

Release

Venky Mama was set to release on 4 October 2019, but the release was delayed until November.[29] The film was released on 13 December 2019, on the occasion of Venkatesh's birthday.[30]

Marketing

In December 2018, a pre-release event was held in Khammam, later followed by a musical night event where the soundtrack album was released.[31][32] K. Raghavendra Rao attended as guest.[33]

Home media

The film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime video since 13 January 2020. The satellite rights of the film were bagged by Gemini TV [34]

Reception

Box office

Venky Mama on opening day collected ₹16.5 crore gross worldwide.[35][36] On the second day, the film collected ₹14 crore gross worldwide.[37] On the third day, the film collected ₹14.5 crore gross worldwide[38] and despite mixed reviews[39] the movie's first weekend worldwide gross was ₹45 crore.[40] In 11 days, the movie collected a total gross of ₹54.90 crore and a share of ₹31.99 crore worldwide.[41] In 13 days, the movie collected a total gross of ₹57.80 crore worldwide.[2] Up to the third week, the movie collected total gross of ₹72 crore worldwide.[3]

Critical reception

Venky Mama received mixed reviews from audience and critics.[42]

The Hans India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Having a solid story line became the biggest plus point for this movie. The entire movies revolve around the beautiful relationship between Naga Chaitanya and Venkatesh and the director has executed it in an engaging way".[43] Samayam gave 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "Venky Mama will make you laugh, cry and please".[44]

The Times of India gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Mediocre writing and crass humour let down this comic caper. The only saving grace for Venky Mama is the performance of its lead actors Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya".[45] India Today gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Director had to include everything just to play to the gallery and make it please every age group. The result is nothing but a colossal disappointment and a wasted opportunity".[46]

The News Minute gave 2 out of 5 stars stating "Venky Mama is a crowd-pleaser. What they call a mass entertainer. Two songs. Two comedians. Two “double-meaning” scenes, one wasted brilliant actor (Prakash Raj), one adored-as-god village head and a silly looking interview panel. Not really boring".[47] Firstpost gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "This isn’t a film where one can judge how well an actor has performed, when the writing and treatment leaves a lot to be desired. The film rushes through some of its major set-pieces and there’s hardly a build up to moments where you might end up crying. The film just doesn't deliver what it sets out to achieve, and we are left to be content with bits and pieces of emotional sequences between Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya. Venky Mama could have been so much more than what it is, but it's a missed opportunity!".[48]

References
  1. "VENKY MAMA (2019)". BBFC.
  2. "Venky Mama 13 day box office collection: Chay-Venkatesh film almost breaks even, set to turn hit". International Business Times. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  3. "'Venky Mama' Box-Office: Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya starrer turns into a profitable venture - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  4. "బాక్సాఫీస్‌ వద్ద దూసుకెళ్తున్న 'వెంకీ మామ'". Sakshi (in Telugu). 26 December 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  5. "Finally! Venky Mama gets a release date, to hit screens on Venkatesh's birthday". International Business Times. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  6. "Venky Mama Review: Venkatesh's Movie Receives Mixed Reviews From Audience". Republic World. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  7. "Dad wanted Venky, Chai together onscreen, says Suresh Babu". The Hans India. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  8. "Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya discuss Venky Mama, multi-starrers, and bringing their real life bond to screen". Firstpost. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  9. "Director Bobby is confident of 'Venky Mama'". The Hindu. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  10. "Venkatesh Top multi-starrer films of the great actor". The Times of India. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  11. "Premam: Venkatesh's cameo in Telugu remake not a part of the original film". India Today. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  12. "Venky Mama Preview: Venkatesh-Naga Chaitanya together on-screen for the first time". Times of India. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  13. "Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya's multi-starrer film launched in style at Ramanaidu Studios". International Business Times. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  14. "Venky Mama: Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya's Telugu comedy to hit floors in February". timesnownews. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  15. "Rakul Preet to join 'Venky Mama' sets from February". thenewsminute. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  16. "Raashi roped in for Venky Mama". Telangana Today. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
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  19. "Venky Mama to take off in Rajahmundry". thehansindia. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
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  24. "'Venky Mama' team to begin shooting in Visakhapatnam". thenewsminute. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  25. "Venky Mama is a very emotional film: S Thaman". The Indian Express. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  26. "Venky Mama Title Song: Soothing number showcasing the deep bond between a uncle and his nephew". Times of India. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  27. "Yennallako from Venky Mama: Venkatesh and Payal Rajput nail the retro look in the peppy number". Times of India. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  28. "Venky Mama New Lyrical Video: Mama, Alludu Sexy". GreatAndhra. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  29. "'Venky Mama's' release postponed to November to avoid clash with 'Sye Raa'". The News Minute. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  30. "Confirmed: 'Venky Mama' to hit the theaters on Venkatesh's birthday (December 13)". Times of India. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
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  34. "Venky Mama". Amazon. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  35. "Venky Mama gets off to a flying start at the box-office; mints Rs 16.5 crore on Day 1". The Times of India. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  36. Suresh Productions [@SureshProdns] (13 December 2019). "Day 1 is HUGE 🤙🏻🤙🏻 🔥🔥 #VenkyMama #BlockbusterVenkyMama" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 December 2019 – via Twitter.
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  38. "Venky Mama box office collection: Venkatesh-Naga Chaitanya film earns Rs 45 crore worldwide". The Indian Express. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  39. "Despite mixed reviews, 'Venky Mama' enjoys a solid weekend; grosses Rs 45 Crore". The Times of India. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  40. "Venky Mama box-office: Venkatesh starrer mints Rs 45 cr in opening weekend". Hindustan Times. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
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  42. "Venky Mama Twitter review: Naga Chaitanya, Venkatesh Daggubati's comedy drama gets a mixed response". Times Now. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  43. "Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya's Venky Mama Movie Review & Rating". The Hans India. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  44. "వెంకీమామ మూవీ రివ్యూ". Samayam. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.(Telugu)
  45. "Venky Mama Movie Review : Mama-Alludu combo let down by a stereotypical plot". Times of India. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  46. "Venky Mama Movie Review: Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya film is a colossal disappointment". India Today. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  47. "'Venky Mama' review: Venkatesh-Naga Chaitanya film has no logic but is a crowd-pleaser". The News Minute. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  48. "Venky Mama movie review: Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya's chemistry is heartwarming in an otherwise bland drama". Firstpost. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
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