Gautamiputra Satakarni (film)

Gautamiputra Satakarni is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language epic historical action film written and directed by Krish. The film was produced by Y. Rajeev Reddy, Jagarlamudi Saibabu on First Frame Entertainment banner. Based on the life of 2nd century CE Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni, the film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the title role, alongside Shriya Saran, and Hema Malini. It marks Balakrishna's 100th film as an actor. The music is composed by Chirantan Bhatt.

Plot
Gautamiputra Satakarni is the 2nd century CE Satavahana ruler of Amaravati whose long-lasting goal is to unite all the 32 kingdoms under a reign, evade internal collisions and establish peace. He takes an oath to his mother, Gautami Balasri, starts his mission at 18, and gives only two options to the kings on his way: peace by surrendering their sword or war. After 18 long years, he took over the entire South India. For the time being, Satakarni marries Vasishti Devi, and they have a son named Pulumavi. Nahapana, the critical ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, is a powerful and villainous person who forcibly locks up the princes of his feudatory kingdoms as royal prisoners to protect his kingdom on all sides. Now, it is difficult for Satakarni to reach Nahapana, so he uses a strategy and decides to go with his son Pulumavi to the battlefield. Vasishti opposes, but Satakarni still stubbornly does so. Simultaneously, Greek Emperor Demetrius is waiting at the border for the result of their battle, after that to conquer the country. Satakarni is currently moving towards Nahapana's fort. On the way, he assures the feudatory kings that they will safeguard and secure their children. Finally, he reaches Nahapana's fort, destroys him, rescues the princes, brings the entire country under one flag, and slaps his thigh.

Satakarni then returns to Amaravathi with the 32 swords he has obtained from the rulers of India, and Balasri edicts him to mold a mighty sword by melting all these. Everybody welcomes him with great enlightenment and joy, but his wife, Vasishti, is fed up with his dictatorial mentality. She decides to leave him, but now he must perform Rajasuya Yaaga, a grand ritual impossible without a wife. At the request of her mother-in-law, Vasishti agrees to stay until its completion. During the ritual, the Emperor must give Agra Pooja honor to the topmost person in the kingdom. Satakarni gives it to his mother by spreading the greatness of women, and from there onwards, he changes his name to Gautamiputra Satakarni and names his son as Vasishtiputra Pulumavi, where his wife Vasishti understands the virtue of her husband. Satakarni declares a new era called Salivahana Sakha, and the day starts as Ugadi. That night, Kanjira, one of the feudatory kings, backstabs his compatriots by aiding Demetrius and lets his men enter the fort to knock out Satakarni. Still, Gautami Balasri protects her son by breaking up their tactics.

Satakarni learns that Demetrius has entered the borders of Sindhu Kingdom to conquer the country, whose army is ten times that of his. He then gets ready for the final battle. At that point, Vasishti senses ominous signs that someone has poisoned her husband, so she requests him to avoid this battle when Satakarni explains to her his childhood dream of uniting the entire country, which Satakarni had done. Now, he must protect it from invaders. His only choices are victory or martyrdom. Gauthami Balasri consults a Bhikkhu and explains these ominous signs to him, who gives her an antidote to the poison. At last, Satakarni reaches the Sindhu Kingdom. Satakrani destroys almost half of the Greek army during the first day of battle. Demetrius understands the challenge of conquering if Satakarni is alive. He sends a woman named Athena to Satakarni as a messenger. Unfortunately, she laces him with poison with a pin in her ring. He foams at the mouth and faints, screaming. The next day, when Satakarni is under treatment, all the other Kings are confused about whether to fight or retreat. They understand the goal of Satakarni is not only to win the country but also to develop unity among them, and they decide to partake in the battle. Thus, Satakarni recovers, reaches the battlefield, and defeats Demetrius, affirming, Nobody can destroy the Unity of India.

Cast

 * Nandamuri Balakrishna as Gautamiputra Satakarni
 * Shriya Saran as Vasishthi Devi, Satakarni's wife
 * Hema Malini as Gautami Balasri, Satakarni's mother
 * Kabir Bedi as Nahapana
 * Milind Gunaji as Kanji
 * David Manucharov as Demetrius
 * Farah Karimaee as Athena
 * Ravi Prakash as Gandaraya
 * Tanikella Bharani as Deva Dattudu, Satakarni's messenger
 * Subhalekha Sudhakar as Satakarni's messenger who is killed by Nahapana
 * Master Snehith Chowdary as Vasishthiputra Pulumavi, Satakarni's elder son
 * Goparaju Ramana
 * Shiva Rajkumar as Kalahasteeshwara (cameo appearance)

Soundtrack
Music composed by Chirantan Bhatt. Music released on Lahari Music Company. The Audio launch was held at Sri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Municipal High School Grounds, Tirupati on 26 December 2016. Central Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu attended the function as chief guests, along with hundreds of industry stalwarts.

Production
The film was officially announced on 8 April 2016, on eve of Ugadi at Andhra Pradesh's proposed capital city Amaravati. The movie opening was held at Hyderabad on 22 April 2016, with eminent personalities like K. Chandrasekhar Rao, T. Harish Rao, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, K. Raghavendra Rao, Dasari Narayana Rao, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Boyapati Srinu, Sai Korrapati, Sriwass, and Akkineni Ramesh Prasad in attendance. The search for the female lead had been going on for long, as actresses like Anushka Shetty and Nayanthara were on the verge of signing. Finally, actress Shriya Saran was signed on as the lead heroine, after being successful in Telugu with various projects. Veteran Hindi actress Hema Malini is playing Balakrishna's character's mother, Gautami Balasri. Actually Devi Sri Prasad was primarily selected as music director but has quit project because he couldn't adjust the dates, after he left the project top most music directors like Ilaiyaraaja, M. M. Keeravani are taken into consideration but finally Chirantan Bhatt is the music director. Neeta Lulla is designing costumes and jewellery for the film.

Nandamuri Balakrishna honoured Hema Malini with a saree as a surprise gift on the sets of the film on 4 September 2016 in Rajasthan. The film's first look teaser was released on 11 October 2016 at 10:15 a.m on the occasion of Vijayadashami and trailer was launched on 16 December 2016 at Tirumala theatre in Karimnagar, Telangana.

Release
It was released on 12 January 2017 across 1320 screens worldwide.

Reception
Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu gives it a 4/5 rating saying, "The film talks of Telugu identity, re-emphasises Amaravati’s cultural significance, talks of a borderless society, gives Shriya a role of a lifetime and yet remains a Balakrishna film, an achievement for Krish in only his seventh outing." Murali Krishna of Telangana Today says "Gautamiputra Satakarni perfectly blends with the persona of Balakrishna. It is an achievement to bring the lesser-known details of an unsung hero to spotlight and Krish has succeeded in crafting a gripping narrative right from the word go". 10TV editor Kathi Mahesh gives it a 4/5 rating saying, "You will know about the Telugu's history and how they contributed to the nation." IdleBrain Jeevi gives it a 3.25/5 rating and says "a film like Gautamiputra Satakarni should be encouraged by watching in theaters because it introduces us our own Telugu hero who ruled the unified nation."

HMTV Film bureau chief Prabhu praised the film saying "Krish gave a movie which would make Telugus proud and Balakrishna acted in it" and gave it a rating of 4/5 but adds that instead of numbers this is a movie to be visited/reviewed in a different way. Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle gives it a 3.5/5 rating saying "Gautamiputra Satakarni is an original story and everyone, especially the Telugu population, should know about it. Krish should be appreciated for coming up with a script like this and narrating it interestingly. The film is also memorable for its content and the excellent performance by Balayya. Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar appears in a cameo and stuns in it.". H Kumar of Firstpost says "Gautamiputra Satakarni is part inspirational, part patriotic that implores Telugu-speaking populace across the world to be proud of their roots. And in doing so, Krish has once again proved himself to be a fascinating storyteller who isn't afraid to walk a less-traveled path."