Sarainodu

Sarrainodu (meaning “The right guy”) is a 2016 Telugu-language action comedy directed by Boyapati Srinu and produced by Allu Aravind under Geetha Arts. It stars Allu Arjun, with Aadhi Pinisetty, Rakul Preet Singh, Catherine Tresa, Srikanth, Sai Kumar, Jayaprakash, Pradeep Rawat and Suman. Released on 22 April 2016 to generally positive reviews, it became the second highest-grossing Telugu film of 2016.

Story

Gana, a former army major, is scolded by his father for quitting the army and drifting through life. Sent to meet a prospective bride, Jaanu, he instead falls for Hansitha Reddy, a young MLA. When the powerful son of the Chief Minister, Vairam Dhanush, shields a rich young man accused of killing a girl, Gana steps in with his fists, and a bitter feud begins. Promising Hansitha he will give up violence becomes harder when Jaanu turns up badly injured, pursued by Dhanush’s men, and reveals what happened in her village.

Cast

• Allu Arjun in the lead
• Aadhi Pinisetty as the main antagonist
• Rakul Preet Singh in the leading female role, her first film with Allu Arjun
• Catherine Tresa in a supporting role
• Srikanth, Sai Kumar, Suman and Jayaprakash in important roles
• Anjali in a song

Production and music

Boyapati Srinu wrote the script with Allu Arjun in mind. He had hoped to cast Samantha Ruth Prabhu, but Rakul Preet Singh was chosen; it was Catherine Tresa’s third film with Allu Arjun after Iddarammayilatho and Rudhramadevi. Rishi Punjabi was the cinematographer and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao the editor. S. Thaman composed the score and six songs in his second film with Allu Arjun after Race Gurram; the album went straight to stores in April 2016 without a launch event and was a hit, with Chiranjeevi attending its success meet in Visakhapatnam.

Release and box office

Planned for Sankranthi and then for Allu Arjun’s birthday, the film was delayed and finally released on 22 April 2016. Critics praised the performances of Allu Arjun and Aadhi Pinisetty, the action, cinematography and music, but found the plot hackneyed; some noted it appeared loosely based on the 2004 film Walking Tall. According to the source it grossed over ₹127.60 crore. It was dubbed into Malayalam as Yodhavu and later into Hindi.

Awards

Allu Arjun won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu, and Srikanth won the SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Telugu). At the Santosham Film Awards the film won Best Director for Boyapati Srinu, Best Supporting Actor for Srikanth, Best Villain for Aadhi Pinisetty and Best Female Comedian for Vidyullekha.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.