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Waltair Veerayya

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Waltair Veerayya
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBobby Kolli
Written byBobby Kolli
Kona Venkat
K. Chakravarthy Reddy
Produced byNaveen Yerneni
Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar
Starring
CinematographyArthur A. Wilson
Edited byNiranjan Devaramane
Music byDevi Sri Prasad
Production
company
Release date
  • 13 January 2023 (2023-01-13)
Running time
160 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹140 crore[1][2]
Box office₹236.15 crore[3]

Waltair Veerayya is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Chiranjeevi as the title character alongside Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan, Catherine Tresa, Prakash Raj, Bobby Simha, Rajendra Prasad, and Vennela Kishore. The film was announced in August 2021. Principal photography commenced in December 2021 with filming taking place in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Malaysia. The soundtrack was composed by Devi Sri Prasad with cinematography by Arthur A. Wilson and editing by Niranjan Devaramane.

Waltair Veerayya was released on 13 January 2023, coinciding with Sankranti weekend, and received mixed reviews from critics.[4] The film became commercially successful at the box office, thus becoming the third highest-grossing Telugu film of 2023.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Waltair Veerayya, a notorious fisherman and smuggler, needs money to fight a court case. He is approached by CI Seethapathi, who tells him about Solomon Caesar, a notorious drug lord who escaped from RAW's custody after killing multiple police officers. Seethapathi, responsible for Solomon's custody, gets suspended from service. He asks Veerayya to extradite Solomon from Malaysia to India in exchange for providing money. Veerayya accepts the deal and travels to Malaysia with his friends and Seethapathi's brother-in-law. They check in at a hotel owned by Solomon and devise a plot to kidnap him.

However, Veerayya misses the opportunity as he is stunned after seeing Dr. Nithya and her daughter Vaishnavi, where Nithya angrily takes Vaishnavi away from Veerayya. Seethapathi's brother-in-law gets impatient and prompts Seethapathi to follow Solomon without Veerayya's knowledge, only to get caught by Solomon. Veerayya arrives at the place and tricks Solomon into believing they want to cut a drug deal with him.

Later, Veerayya gets invited by Solomon to his private party, where a group of masked assassins attempt to capture Solomon. However, Veerayya foils their plans and later realizes they are the hotel staff. They reveal themselves as RAW agents, led by Athidhi. Solomon expresses his admiration for Veerayya and offers to ask him anything in return for saving his life. Veerayya asks him to return to India. Solomon agrees but soon finds out about their ploy, and he gets busted. As Solomon assaults Athidhi for information with his elder brother Michael Caesar on video conference, Veerayya retaliates and reveals that Michael is his ultimate target. Veerayya kills Solomon at the public fair in the Batu Caves, where a helpless Michael witnesses everything.

Past: Four years ago, Michael, disguised as a fisherman named Kaala, acts as Veerayya's friend and confidant. Without Veerayya's knowledge, Michael supplies cocaine from the former's ice factory. The newly appointed ACP Vikram Sagar, also Veerayya's half-brother, arrives in Vizag and begins a crackdown on the drug syndicate. During their childhood, Veerayya, who suffers from vertigo, accidentally let Vikram fall from a tree since the brothers grew up separately. Though Vikram developed hatred towards Veerayya, Veerayya always loved him. Vikram is also happily married to Nithya, and they have a daughter, Vaishnavi.

Vikram tracks down the origin of the drugs in Veerayya's locality, but Michael manages to keep his cover. One day, the ice factory accidentally supplies cocaine wrapped in ice to a school, which resulted in the deaths of 25 children due to dehydration caused by the cocaine. Michael subsequently frames Veerayya and plans to escape to Malaysia. Veerayya gets arrested, and the police decides to kill him in an encounter to calm the public rage. Vikram, who believes that Veerayya is innocent, loots the seized drugs to lure Michael. He secretly arrives at the planned encounter, shooting in place of Veerayya to capture Michael.

However, Vikram's senior officer JCP Bharadwaj is in cahoots with Michael, and Michael and his men fatally stab Vikram. Michael manages to escape as Veerayya arrives, but not before he shows his true face. Veerayya tries to take a heavily injured Vikram to the hospital, but Vikram succumbs to his injuries on the way, revealing that he always had affection for Veerayya but could not express it publicly due to his crackdown on the drug syndicate. Veerayya is stopped by the police and taken away. Vikram is deprived of state honors and labeled as a traitor by the police. Nithya blames Veerayya for Vikram's death; this is why she dislikes Veerayya. Heartbroken, Veerayya decides to extradite Michael to India for his testimony in court before Seethapati shows him the way.

Present: Veerayya sets up Michael against his drug partner Velappan Karuppan by blowing up his base of operations. The rival gang attempts to kill Michael, and he agrees to come to India with Veerayya and testify in court in exchange for his life. With the help of Athithi, Veerayya brings Michael back to India and overcomes his vertigo while escaping.Following Michael's testimony, the court recognizes Vikram's bravery and grants him state honors while acquitting Veerayya of his charges. To fulfill Vikram's last wish of avenging the children's deaths, Veerayya decapitates Michael in the courtroom before being sentenced to prison. Veerayya reunites with Vaishnavi and Nithya, who forgive him during the state honors ceremony for Vikram.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

In August 2021, it was announced that Chiranjeevi and K. S. Ravindra (also known as Bobby) would team up for a film tentatively titled Mega154 (intended to be Chiranjeevi's 154th film) under the production of Mythri Movie Makers.[6][7] The film was formally launched in November 2021.[8] In April 2022, Chiranjeevi unintentionally revealed the film is titled Waltair Veerayya. The title was officially confirmed in October 2022.[9][10] Ravindra wrote the story and dialogues, which were scripted by Kona Venkat and K. Chakravarthy Reddy. Arthur A. Wilson was signed on as the cinematographer, marking his third collaboration with Bobby, after Power and Sardaar Gabbar Singh. Niranjan Devaramane was the film's editor.[11]

In March 2022, Ravi Teja joined the cast, reuniting with Chiranjeevi after 22 years since Annayya (2000).[12][13] Teja reportedly plays his brother, a police officer disguised as a mafia don.[14] Shruti Haasan was paired opposite Chiranjeevi, while Catherine Tresa is playing Teja's wife.[15][16] Nawazuddin Siddiqui was approached to play the antagonist, but due to scheduling conflicts, he was replaced by Bobby Simha.[14] Malayalam actor Biju Menon was also offered a role in the film, but he was replaced by Prakash Raj.[17] In early November 2022, Urvashi Rautela was roped in for doing a special appearance in a song.[18]

Principal photography commenced in December 2021 in Hyderabad.[19] In April 2022, the second schedule commenced with Haasan joining the sets in Vishakapatnam.[20][10] In July 2022, the third schedule commenced with Teja joining the sets.[21][22] A schedule was also held in Malaysia.[23]

Music

[edit]
Waltair Veerayya
Soundtrack album by
Devi Sri Prasad
Released11 January 2023[24]
Recorded2021–2022
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length17:08
LanguageTelugu
LabelSony Music India
Devi Sri Prasad chronology
Cirkus
(2022) 		Waltair Veerayya
(2023) 		Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
(2023)
Singles from Waltair Veerayya
  1. "Boss Party"
    Released: 23 November 2022
  2. "Sridevi Chiranjeevi"
    Released: 19 December 2022
  3. "Veerayya Title Song"
    Released: 26 December 2022
  4. "Poonakaalu Loading"
    Released: 30 December 2022
  5. "Neekemo Andamekkuva"
    Released: 11 January 2023

The film score and soundtrack are composed by Devi Sri Prasad. The audio rights were acquired by Sony Music India. The first single titled "Boss Party" was released on 23 November 2022.[25] The second single titled "Sridevi Chiranjeevi" was released on 19 December 2022.[26] The third single titled "Veerayya Title Song" was released on 26 December 2022.[27] The fourth single titled "Poonakaalu Loading" was released on 30 December 2022.[28] The fifth single titled "Neekemo Andamekkuva" was released on 11 January 2023.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Boss Party"Devi Sri PrasadDevi Sri Prasad, Nakash Aziz, Haripriya3:20
2."Sridevi Chiranjeevi"Devi Sri PrasadJaspreet Jasz, Sameera Bharadwaj2:58
3."Veerayya Title Song"ChandraboseAnurag Kulkarni, Pavithra Chari4:00
4."Poonakaalu Loading"Roll RidaRam Miriyala, Roll Rida3:18
5."Neekemo Andamekkuva"Ramajogayya SastryMika Singh, Geetha Madhuri, Velmurugan3:32
Total length:17:08

Release

[edit]

Theatrical

[edit]

Waltair Veerayya along with the Hindi dubbed version, was released in theaters on 13 January 2023 coinciding with the festival of Sankranti.[29][30] The worldwide theatrical rights of the film were sold at a cost of ₹94 crore.[31]

Home media

[edit]

The digital and satellite rights of the film were acquired by Netflix and Gemini TV respectively.[32][33] The film premiered on Netflix on 27 February 2023.[34] The Hindi dubbed version of the movie was premiered on Sony Max on 13 August 2023.

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/10.[35] Waltair Veerayya received mixed reviews from critics.[4]

Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Waltair Veerayya might not leave you feeling poonakalu as promised, but it’s decent enough, especially if you’re a Chiranjeevi fan or Ravi Teja’s for that matter. Just don't expect something out-of-the-box."[36] Latha Srinivasan of India Today gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Chiranjeevi's role in the film is reminiscent of his earlier films - massy, stylish, comical and full of action. Waltair Veerayya also stars Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan, and is directed by Bobby Kolli. Chiru's fans are in for a treat."[37] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "Bobby’s intention of delivering an out-and-out enjoyable commercial film with Waltair Veerayya works to a large extent, even when the predictability factor creeps in when you’re least expecting. The action sequences really serve as the film’s high moments and they deliver the thrills in a big way. These scenes do go overboard on multiple occasions but still work given the film’s massive scale."[38]

Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "The filmmakers don't want the audience to respond to the character Waltair Veerayya, but they want us to venerate before the star playing Waltair Veerayya".[39] Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute gave the film a rating of 1.5 out of 5 and termed the film as "absolute mess", criticised the story and inconsistency tone of the film.[40] Arvind V of Pinkvilla rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and praised the performances but criticised the writing and termed comedy as "insipid" & score as "bleak".[41] Ram Venkat Srikar of Cinema Express rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Films like Waltair Veerayya are reminders that masala cinema, when done neatly, will always be a treat".[42] Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint gave the film’s rating 3 out of 5 and wrote "Waltair Veerayya celebrates Chiranjeevi’s four-decade-long legacy with enjoyable characterization. It creates moments of intrigue and brilliant closures near the end".[43]

Box office

[edit]

The film grossed ₹236.15 crore worldwide.[3] The film became Chiranjeevi's third film to cross US$2 million mark at the US box office after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Khaidi No. 150. [44]

Accolades

[edit]
Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards South 3 August 2024 Best Actor – Telugu Chiranjeevi Nominated [45][46][47]
Best Supporting Actor – Telugu Ravi Teja Won
Best Music Director – Telugu Devi Sri Prasad Nominated
Santosham Film Awards 2 December 2023 Best Action Ram Lakshman Won [48]
South Indian International Movie Awards 14 September 2024 Best Director – Telugu Bobby Kolli Pending [49]
Best Actor Chiranjeevi Pending
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu Prakash Raj Pending
Best Music Director – Telugu Devi Sri Prasad Pending

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'Waltair Veerayya': 5 reasons why you should watch Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan and KS Ravindra starrer for sure now…!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2022. Waltair Veerayya is said to have been made with a whopping budget of Rs 140 crores, therefore Visual grandeur and Lavish sets are guaranteed besides quality VFX work and performances.
  2. ^ "'వాల్తేరు వీరయ్య', 'వీర సింహారెడ్డి' సినిమాల బడ్జెట్ ఎంతో తెలుసా ?". ABP News (in Telugu). 12 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Chiranjeevi : వాల్తేరు వీరయ్య క్లోజింగ్ కలెక్షన్స్.. ఎన్ని కోట్ల లాభాలో తెలుసా.. ఊహించి ఉండరు." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Waltair Veerayya success meet: Chiranjeevi says he cried without glycerine because of Ravi Teja's moving performance. Watch". The Indian Express. 14 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. However, the film has only received mixed reviews from critics.
  5. ^ Waltair Veerayya Final Total WW Collections, andhraboxoffice.com, 22 April 2023, archived from the original on 27 July 2023, retrieved 27 July 2023
  6. ^ "#Mega154: Director Bobby to announce a special surprise on Megastar Chiranjeevi's birthday - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Mega 154: Pre-look poster of Chiranjeevi's next with director Bobby released - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Mega 154: Chiranjeevi flaunts massy avatar in the FIRST LOOK; Bobby directorial film officially launched today". PINKVILLA. 6 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Director Bobby Reveals The Title Of Chiranjeevi's Mega 154". News18. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Chiranjeevi's next with director Bobby titled 'Waltair Veerayya', actor accidentally reveals film's title - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Mega 154: Director Sukumar visits the sets of megastar Chiranjeevi's next with director Bobby - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  12. ^ Chronicle, Deccan (13 March 2022). "Ravi Teja and Chiru to share screen?". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Ravi Teja still part of Chiranjeevi's Waltair Veerayya". Cinema Express. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Exclusive: Ravi Teja hasn't opted out of Chiranjeevi's Chiru 154, confirms Producer; To start filming in June". Pinkvilla. 4 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Shruti Haasan To Star Opposite Megastar Chiranjeevi For The First Time In Mega 154". News18. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Catherine Tresa joins the cast of Mega 154". Cinema Express. 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Malayalam actor Biju Menon to appear alongside Chiranjeevi in 'Mega154' - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Rautela to sizzle in Waltair Veerayya". 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  19. ^ "#Mega154: Chiranjeevi and KS Ravindra's film starts rolling, shoot begins with action sequence - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Mega 154: Shruti Haasan is back on the sets, shares a selfie - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja Joins Megastar Chiranjeevi & Bobby's 'Mega154' sets - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Mega154: Ravi Teja joins cast of Chiranjeevi starrer & begins shoot; WATCH". PINKVILLA. 16 July 2022. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  23. ^ "Waltair Veerayya: మలేషియాకు వీరయ్య". Eenadu (in Telugu). 30 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Waltair Veerayya (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Spotify. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  25. ^ "#BossParty: Megastar Chiranjeevi's 'Waltair Veerayya' first single to be released on November 23". Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  26. ^ "'Waltair Veerayya's song 'Sridevi Chiranjeevi' out; Chiru and Shruti Haasan romance under snow". India Today. 19 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Waltair Veerayya's title song Veerayya is out". Cinema Express. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Chiranjeevi-starrer Waltair Veerayya's fourth song Poonakaalu Loading gets release date". The Indian Express. 29 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Chiranjeevi's Waltair Veerayya to release in Telugu, Hindi on the same day". India Today. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja starrer Waltair Veerayya to release in Telugu and Hindi on January 13 : Bollywood News". Bollywood Hungama. 29 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  31. ^ Waltair Veerayya Final Total WW Collections, andhraboxoffice.com, 22 April 2023, archived from the original on 27 July 2023, retrieved 27 July 2023
  32. ^ "Official: Waltair Veerayya Seals OTT Partner". Mirchi9. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Fourth time! This noted channel acquires Waltair Veerayya satellite rights". Tollywood.net. 7 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Chiranjeevi's Waltair Veerayya gets OTT release date". The Indian Express. 7 February 2023. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Waltair Veerayya". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Waltair Veerayya Movie Review: Chiranjeevi has fun as Veerayya in this mixed bag of a film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Waltair Veerayya Movie Review: Megastar Chiranjeevi returns to form with mass entertainer - India Today". India Today. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Waltair Veerayya movie review: Finally a Chiranjeevi film the audience will love". Hindustan Times. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Waltair Veerayya movie review: Neither Chiranjeevi nor Ravi Teja can save this film from drowning in shallowness". The Indian Express. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  40. ^ "Waltair Veerayya review: Chiranjeevi's performance is the only redemption in this mess". The News Minute. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Waltair Veerayya Movie Review: An in-form Chiranjeevi doesn't make this film a pumped-up experience". Pinkvilla. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Waltair Veerayya Movie Review: An enjoyable, even if familiar, masala outing". Cinema Express. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  43. ^ "'Waltair Veerayya' Review: Megastar Chiranjeevi Is Enjoyable in This Masala". The Quint. 15 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  44. ^ "Waltair Veerayya 1st Day WW Collections: 'వాల్తేరు వీరయ్య' ఫస్ట్ డే వాల్డ్ వైడ్ బాక్సాఫీస్ కలెక్షన్స్.. ఇది మెగా రేంజ్ ఊచకోత". News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 14 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  45. ^ "Nominations for Filmfare Awards Telugu 2024 are out!". Filmfare. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  46. ^ Filmfare (4 August 2024). "Full list of Winners of the 69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South (Telugu) 2024". Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  47. ^ The Times of India (4 August 2024). "69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024: Check out the winners". Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  48. ^ "22వ సంతోషం సౌత్ ఇండియన్ ఫిల్మ్ అవార్డ్స్.. ఈసారి ఘనంగా గోవాలో." 10TV Telugu (in Telugu). 8 November 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  49. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (17 July 2024). "SIIMA 2024 Nominations Revealed: Nani's Dasara and Rajinikanth Starrer Jailer Lead with 11 Nominations Each". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
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