Akhil

Akhil (full title Akhil: The Power of Jua) is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language fantasy action comedy directed by V. V. Vinayak and produced by Nithiin and M. Sudhakar Reddy under Sresht Movies. It marked the lead debuts of Akhil Akkineni and Sayyeshaa. Released on 11 November 2015 amid huge hype, it was a commercial failure despite the biggest opening for a debutant Telugu actor.

Story

Thousands of years ago, Indian sages forged a powerful sphere to absorb the Sun’s harmful rays and protect the Earth. They entrusted it to an African tribe, who named it Jua and were told to keep it at the equator during every solar eclipse or the world would face destruction. In the present day, the fate of the sphere becomes tied to a young man’s adventure.

Development

Akhil had made a cameo in the climax of Manam (2014) and said he wanted his first lead film to be a blockbuster. Vinayak was approached after Alludu Seenu. Veligonda Srinivas, writer of Dhamarukam, supplied the story. Vinayak wrote the screenplay and Kona Venkat the dialogue. The film was launched in Hyderabad on 17 December 2014. A new actress was sought for the heroine to spread the pressure of a debut, and Sayyeshaa was cast in her Telugu debut. Amol Rathod was the cinematographer and Gautham Raju the editor.

Music

Anup Rubens and S. Thaman composed the songs, and Mani Sharma the score. The audio launch was held on 20 September 2015. The song “Akkineni Akkineni” samples Eminem’s vocals from “Lose Yourself”.

Release and box office

Originally due on 22 October 2015, the film was postponed several times, reportedly because of visual effects work. According to the source, it grossed ₹13.86 crore worldwide on its first day and ₹33.65 crore in its full run.

Reception and awards

Idlebrain gave it 3 out of 5. It said Vinayak had launched Akhil as a star with huge potential but should have paid more attention to treatment and logic. The Times of India gave it 2.5 and felt the director tried to do too much at once. Akhil won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South, as well as the SIIMA, CineMAA and Santosham debut awards. Sayyeshaa was nominated for Best Female Debut at SIIMA.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.