Khaleja

Khaleja is a 2010 Indian Telugu-language fantasy action comedy film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Anushka and Prakash Raj, while Shafi, Sunil, Sameer Hasan Brahmaji,Amit Tiwari, Subbaraju, Tanikella Bharani,Nadhiya, Sayaji Shinde, Brahmanandam and Ali play supporting roles. The plot follows Raju (Babu), a cab driver who gets hailed as God in a remote village and ends up facing GK (Raj), a powerful industrialist, to save the village. The film deals with illegal-mining in India, and related environmental damage. It marks Babu's return as an actor after a three-year hiatus in his second collaboration with Trivikram after Athadu.

The film was released on 7 October 2010 to positive reviews from critics and audience alike and was declared a box office failure. Despite the debacle the film won two Filmfare South awards for Best Male Playback Singer and Best Lyricist. Over the years the film has undergone re-evaluation and has achieved cult status as it was deemed ahead of its time in terms of story telling and technicality.The film was listed in the Film Companion "25 Greatest Telugu Films of the Decade."

Plot
A remote village in Pali is struck by a mysterious plague that consumes many lives, leaving the villagers terrified and devastated. The village priest prophesies a savior and sends his assistant, Siddha, in pursuit of him.

Elsewhere, Raju, a short-tempered taxi driver, is left with heavy damage to his taxi in a freak incident where his passengers are violently attacked and murdered. Consequently, his supervisor instructs him to deliver insurance money to one of the victim's families. While there, a gang of goons sent by GK, a ruthless industrialist, ambush Raju and mortally wound him. After he fends off his attackers, Raju is found by Siddha under circumstances described in the priest's prophecy. Siddha rescues him and takes him back to the village.

After recovering, Raju is shocked to find out that he is revered by the villagers as a deity, and fails to convince them otherwise. Although he is initially uninterested in their problems, Raju is compelled by Siddha to help the villagers. Upon further investigation, he finds out that GK has been deliberately polluting the village's air and water to drive out its residents and extract precious ores from their land afterwards. He also learns that GK had ordered the hits on Raju's passengers, a geologist and a villager, and later on Raju to prevent them from interfering with his plans.

GK confronts Raju in the village, kills Siddha, and threatens to massacre the villagers for uncovering his ploy. A furious Raju assaults GK's goons and amputates his hand. GK wanders off panicking and meets his death as prophesized, ending the village's calamity.

Music
The soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma. The music was released on 27 September 2010. The starcast of the movie, including Mahesh Babu, actress Anushka Shetty, music director Mani Sharma and director Trivikram Srinivas released the audio at Radio Mirchi FM radio station in the Hyderabad. Mahesh Babu's wife Namrata Shirodkar was also present. The album contains six songs and the lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry and Sirivennela Sitaramasastri.

Reception
Sify rated 3 out of 5 explained "No doubt, Mahesh is the cynosure of the movie, shouldering the entire responsibility." MSN rated 3 out of 5 and described the film as "just an above average venture", commenting, "Mahesh Khaleja is worth a watch for Mahesh's strong screen presence and charisma. Mahesh carries off his role with elan and looks superb too. Anushka looks pretty but doesn't share a good on-screen chemistry with Mahesh. The first half of the film is dull. It does pick up pace in the second half but the narration is inconsistent and tedious. The climax is little better. Rediff gave a 3 out of 5 rating and noted "The duo of Mahesh-Trivikram delivers a product that is watchable, entertaining with good humour, couple of well-orchestrated action sequences and songs and with a bit to take home as well. It's Mahesh's show all the way, much to the delight of his fans. Mahesh is the soul of the movie, be it his dialogue delivery, his action, his dances or emotions, he is effortless.

CNN-IBN gave a mixed review stating "The movie is all about Mahesh Babu and he occupies almost every frame in the movie. Back after a gap of 4 years, Mahesh looks great with stylish costumes. The movie deals with a serious theme but director Trivikram Srinivas mixes it with a lot of unnecessary situational comedy which dilutes the intensity of the movie."

Awards

 * Filmfare Awards South
 * Won
 * Best Lyricist – Telugu: Ramajogayya Sastry – "Sada Siva"
 * Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu: Ramesh Vinayagam & N. C. Karunya – "Sada Siva"
 * Nominated
 * Best Supporting Actor – Telugu – Shafi