Guntur Kaaram
Guntur Kaaram[a] (pronounced [ɡuntuːr kaːram]; transl. Spice of Guntur) also known by the initialism GK, is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language action masala film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, and produced by S. Radha Krishna through Haarika & Hassine Creations. It stars Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishna, Jayaram, and Prakash Raj.
| Guntur Kaaram | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Trivikram Srinivas |
| Written by | Trivikram Srinivas |
| Produced by | S. Radha Krishna |
| Starring | Mahesh Babu Sreeleela Meenakshi Chaudhary |
| Cinematography | Manoj Paramahamsa P. S. Vinod |
| Edited by | Naveen Nooli |
| Music by | Thaman S |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹200 crore[1] |
The film was officially announced in May 2021 under the tentative title SSMB28. Principal photography commenced on 12 September 2022 in Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Thaman S, with cinematography handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing handled by Naveen Nooli.
Guntur Kaaram is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide on 12 January 2024, coinciding with Sankranti.
Cast edit
- Mahesh Babu as Vyra Venkata Ramana Reddy
- Sreeleela as Ammulu "Ammu"
- Meenakshi Chaudhary
- Jagapathi Babu
- Ramya Krishna
- Jayaram
- Prakash Raj
- Sunil
- Brahmanandam
- Mahesh Achanta
- Raghu Babu
Production edit
Development edit
On 1 May 2021, the project was officially announced under the tentative title SSMB28. The film was initially promoted as an action thriller. However, after the completion of the first schedule, reports surfaced about conflicts among crew members and the cast. Subsequently, the production of the film was paused, and the script was reworked. After several months of delay, Trivikram presented a new modified script that transformed the film into a family entertainer, departing from the original narrative as an action thriller. The sequences filmed during the first schedule were intended to be discarded. The shooting recommenced with action sequences as per the modifications done to the script.[3][4] The project is produced by S. Radha Krishna of Haarika & Hassine Creations. The film's official title was revealed as Guntur Kaaram on 31 May 2023.
A muhurtam pooja ceremony was held on 3 February 2022 at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad with the film's cast and crew, including Pooja Hegde, producer S. Radha Krishna, music composer Thaman S, cinematographer P. S. Vinod, editor Naveen Nooli, production designer A. S. Prakash, and stunt choreography duo Ram Lakshman.[5]
Casting edit
In August 2021, Pooja Hegde was reported to be the lead actress, marking her second collaboration with Mahesh Babu, after Maharshi (2019) and third collaboration with Trivikram, after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.[6] Samyuktha Menon was reported to play the second female lead,[7] before finalizing Sreeleela.[8]
In February 2023, Ramya Krishna is selected to play a key role in the film.[9] In March, Prakash Raj joined the cast to play Mahesh Babu's grandfather in the film.[10] Later Jayaram joined the cast.[11] In April, Jagapathi Babu was reported to play "a very endearing yet scary" character.[12]
In June 2023, however, Hegde opted out of the film, owing to conflicting dates in her schedule. She was subsequently replaced by Meenakshi Chaudhary, who would star in the supporting role that was previously meant to be portrayed by Sreeleela. Sreeleela would, instead, star in Hegde’s lead role.[13]
Filming edit
Principal photography commenced on 12 September 2022 with an action sequence in Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad.[14] The first schedule, involving high-octane stunts choreographed by Anbariv duo,[15] was later completed in the same month.[16] However it was later confirmed by the producers that the fight was scrapped.[17] The second schedule was planned to commence after Dussehra festivities in Ramoji Film City with Hegde joining the sets.[14] The shooting was then halted with Trivikram making modifications to the script and converted the action thriller film into a "family entertainer".[15]
The second schedule started on 18 January 2023 in Sarathi Studios, Hyderabad.[18] Hegde joined the sets with filming taking place in Hyderabad.[19] In February, team constructed a house set spending ₹10 crore at Shankarpalli, Telengana in Hyderabad.[20] In March, Jayaram joined the sets.[21] The second schedule was wrapped on 6 April.[22] After shooting more than 50% of the film, the cinematographer of the film, P. S. Vinod, left, owing to creative differences. Following this development, Manoj Paramahamsa was announced as his replacement for the film. The third schedule began on 24 June.[23]
Music edit
Thaman S. composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film, in his fifth collaboration with Babu after Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Aagadu (2014), and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022); third collaboration with Trivikram after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020).[24] Thaman started the work on the film's music in June 2022.[25] The first single "Dum Masala" was released on 7 November 2023.[26] The second single "Oh My Baby" was released on 13 December 2023.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dum Masala" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Sanjith Hegde, Jyoti Nooran | 3:27 |
| 2. | "Oh My Baby" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Shilpa Rao | 2:37 |
| Total length: | 6:04 | |||
Marketing edit
On 31 May 2023, first glimpse was released, on the occasion of Babu's father Krishna's 80th birth anniversary, which was attached with Mosagallaku Mosagadu 4K re-release in theatres.[27]
Release edit
Theatrical edit
Guntur Kaaram is scheduled to release worldwide on 12 January 2024. Originally intended for a theatrical release on 28 April 2023, the film's launch was first deferred to 11 August 2023, and then to 13 January 2024, to coinciding with Sankranti. Eventually, the release date was advanced to 12 January 2024.
Home media edit
The digital distribution rights were acquired by Netflix.[28]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ "Is Mahesh Babu receiving a record-breaking payment of Rs 78 crore for Trivikram Srinivas' 'Guntur Kaaram'?". The Times of India. 20 July 2023. from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ Mahesh Babu Gains Confidence in GK!. greatandhra.com.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu's next with 'Trivikram' titled 'Guntur Kaaram'". The Hindu. 1 June 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Guntur Karaam: Fight masters Ram Lakshman replaced from Mahesh Babu and Trivikram Srinivas' film?". PINKVILLA. 12 August 2023. from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (4 February 2022). "Mahesh Babu-Trivikram's shoot begins, actor's wife Namrata Shirodkar attends muhurat puja : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Pooja Hegde has three films with Trivikram Srinivas?". The Hans India. 9 July 2021. from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "As Samyuktha Menon debuts in Telugu, she is in talks for Mahesh Babu's next". OnManorama. 27 January 2022. from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "SSMB28: Sreeleela to play this role in Mahesh-Trivikram film". OTTPlay. from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Ramya Krishna to play a key role in Mahesh Babu's next with Trivikram". OTTPlay. from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Prakash Raj likely to play key role in Mahesh Babu's SSMB 28". News18. 1 March 2023. from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Actor Jayaram gets clicked with Mahesh Babu from sets of SSMB28". Telangana Today. 18 March 2023. from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "SSMB 28 EXCLUSIVE: Jagapathi Babu confirms 'a very endearing yet scary' character in Mahesh Babu's next". PINKVILLA. 28 April 2023. from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "None". from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Mahesh Babu's SSMB28 To Go On Break Due To Dussehra, Second Leg To Start Soon". News18. 21 September 2022. from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Mahesh Babu's SSMB 28 shoot resumes, action sequences to be shot for 2 weeks". India Today. from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "#SSMB28: Mahesh Babu shoots 'high-octane epic action scenes' for Trivikram movie, Pooja Hegde to join sets soon". The Indian Express. 21 September 2022. from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ "SSMB28 Will Touch Rajamouli's Numbers". indiaherald.com. from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu | SSMB28 : మహేష్ బాబు-త్రివిక్రమ్ మూవీ రెండో షెడ్యూల్ మొదలు." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 18 January 2023. from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu Caravan at Yashoda Hospital for Trivikram Pooja Hegde SSMB28 Shoot | యశోద హాస్పిటల్ వద్ద మహేష్ బాబు కేరవ్యాన్.. అసలు ముచ్చట ఏంటంటే..? News in Telugu". 6 February 2023. from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu-starrer SSMB28's Actions Scenes To Be Shot In A 10-Crore Set: Reports". News18. 11 February 2023. from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Jayaram and Mahesh Babu pose for a candid click on 'SSMB28' set". The Times of India. 19 March 2023. from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "SSMB28: Mahesh to take a summer break, here are the details of current and upcoming schedules". OTTPlay. 2 April 2023. from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "Tollywood: Guntur Kaaram, OG, Devara's latest shoot updates are here". OTTPlay. from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Confirmed: S Thaman is the composer of Mahesh Babu's next with Trivikram Srinivas - Times of India". The Times of India. 16 November 2021. from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Thaman's Insta pic hints he's getting started on music for 'SSMB28'". The Times of India. 16 June 2022. from the original on 19 June 2022.
- ^ "Dum Masala song OUT: First single from Mahesh Babu starrer Guntur Kaaram dropped; promises a spicy treat". PINKVILLA. 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu-Trivikram's SSMB 28 is now Guntur Kaaram". Cinema Express. 31 May 2023. from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu, Trivikram Srinivas's SSMB28 digital rights acquired by Netflix for Rs 81 crores". The Indian Express. 1 February 2023. from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
External links edit
- Guntur Kaaram at IMDb