Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Krish and jointly produced by Saibabu Jagarlamudi and Rajeev Reddy on First Frame Entertainment. It has received universal acclaim for combining the art form of Surabhi and an action flick based on illegal mining in Bellary. It stars Rana Daggubati and Nayanthara, while Kota Srinivasa Rao, Milind Gunaji, Murali Sharma, Brahmanandam, Posani Krishna Murali, and L. B. Sriram appear in supporting roles. Mani Sharma composed the music for the film.

It was released on 30 November 2012 to high critical acclaim and was declared a hit at the box office.

Plot
Babu is a young stage artist who performs with Surabhi, a theatrical troupe led by his passionate grandfather, Subrahmanyam. Though very gifted in his craft, Babu resents the art due to his poor earnings from it and makes plans to leave for a better lifestyle in USA. Disappointed with his grandson’s intentions, Subrahmanyam dies of grief in his sleep, devastating everyone. Babu and the troupe travel to Bellary to fulfill Subrahmanyam's wish of having his ashes dispersed in the Tungabhadra River.

Shortly after their arrival, one of the troupe’s artists engages in an altercation with Saida, a local goon, who retaliates by severing the former’s tongue and peeing in Subrahmanyam’s ashes. An infuriated Babu sets off in pursuit of Saida, and runs into Devika, a CBI informer and journalist documenting the illegal mining operations of Reddappa, Saida’s boss and a cruel industrialist. On their way, Jogamma, an elderly woman desperately searching for Babu, finds him and reveals his tragic origins – Babu was born to Jogamma’s friends, Ramamurthy Naidu, a forest ranger, and his wife. In his infancy, Babu’s parents were murdered by his uncle, Chakravarthy, who was evading arrest for another murder. After witnessing his parents’ death, Jogamma escaped with an infant Babu and placed him in the care of Subrahmanyam, who adopted Babu as his grandson. Upon learning this, Babu swears revenge on Chakravarthy.

Continuing on their chase after Reddappa and Saida, Devika and Babu get caught in the crossfire of an attack on Reddappa by Chakravarthy himself. While Reddappa survives the incident, Devika and Babu get injured in the attack and escape to a nearby forest, where they seek refuge with an inhabiting tribe. After tending to their injuries, the tribal people share that they migrated there after Reddappa burned down their native forest to excavate the land. Devika firmly determines to seek justice for Reddappa’s crimes, while Babu insists on avoiding trouble with the ruthless tycoon, leading to an altercation that separates them. Devika eventually stumbles into Chakravarthy, who reveals to her that he is the real Reddappa, and that the true Chakravarthy stole his identity after killing Babu’s parents and committing other crimes. However, after a failed assassination attempt on his life, Chakravarthy captures Reddappa and renders him mute.

Babu returns to Surabhi and decides to honor Subrahmanyam by performing his last authored play, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, with the troupe. At their performance, Babu kills Saida after he arrives with Chakravarthy to watch the play. Unaware of Chakravarthy’s true identity, Babu discloses his knowledge of his parents’ demise and intention to kill their slayer to him. Chakravarthy deceptively offers the real Reddappa in his place to Babu, but Jogamma and Devika arrive just in time to reveal the truth. A furious Babu assaults and subdues Chakravarthy after overpowering his men, and delivers him to the tribe he displaced, who burn Chakravarthy to avenge their loss. Babu concludes his duty by dispersing Subrahmanyam’s ashes in the Tungabhadra River.

Cast

 * Rana Daggubati as Babu
 * Nayanthara as Devika
 * Kota Srinivasa Rao as Subrahmanyam
 * Milind Gunaji as Redappa (Fake)/Chakravarthy
 * Murali Sharma as Chakravarthy (Fake) / Reddappa
 * Brahmanandam as Rampam (Rangasthala Pandit)
 * Posani Krishna Murali as Tippu Sultan
 * L.B. Sriram as Matti Raju
 * Adithya as Ramamurthy Naidu, Babu's father
 * Lakshmi Vasudevan as Babu's mother
 * Annapoorna as Jogamma
 * Raghu Babu as Veeraraju
 * Satyam Rajesh as Swamy
 * Hema as Rathna Prabha
 * Ravi Prakash as Pattabhi
 * Kishore
 * Roopa Devi
 * Prabhakar
 * Hazel Keech as item number Chal Chal Chal"
 * Ventakesh Daggubati as Ballari Babu (special appearance) in song "Sye Andre Nanu"
 * Sameera Reddy as item number "Sye Andre Nanu"

Production
Rana was cast for the lead role of Babu, a young drama artist. Nayanthara was cast to play the crucial role of a documentary filmmaker. She dubbed for the role herself. Sameera Reddy was hired for an item number with Venkatesh making a cameo appearance in this movie.

Soundtrack
The audio launch of Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum was held on 7 October 2012 in Hyderabad. Rather differently, the film's director Krish and hero Rana Daggubati played the hosts apart from Gayathri Bhargavi. Nayantara, who seldom attends audio events, attended the function. Others who graced the event include Venkatesh, S. S. Rajamouli, Dil Raju, D. Ramanaidu, Sirivennela Sitaramasastri, Mani Sharma, and Kota Srinivasa Rao. Venkatesh gave the first CD to S. S. Rajamouli.

Release
The Central Board of Film Certification rated it U/A with 14 cuts and violence in all fights has been reduced by at least 50%. Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum was expected to open in 1,000 screens worldwide and is likely to outnumber Aamir Khan's Talaash in terms of screens in south India. The film was to be released across an equal number of screens in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The film was simultaneously released as Ongaram in Tamil and as Action Khiladi in Malayalam. It was also dubbed and released in Hindi as Krishna Ka Badla in 2014.

Reception
idlebrain.com jeevi gave a rating of 3/5 stating "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is film that mixes the sensibilities of Krish with commercial elements." Riya Chakravarthy of NDTV gave a review stating: "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a mix of a commendable acting and a good script. Like with his previous movies, Krish has once again proved his directorial credentials with this film. Overall, a good watch that will appeal to all types of audience." Rediff gave a review stating "All in all, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a film to be seen for its fine story and well-defined characteristation. It is both thought-provoking and entertaining and the music, camera work, acting and technical elements are all good. Go watch KVJ." Oneindia.in gave a rating 3.5/5 stating "Overall, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is both a good entertainer and a thought provoking movie. Rana will definitely rock you. Don't miss it this weekend." Mahesh S Koneru of 123telugu.com gave a review of rating 3.5/5 stating "'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' is a riveting entertainer, one of those rare films where entertainment and thought provoking narration exist together. Don't be fooled by the slow start to the film. More importantly, don't miss a chance to catch 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' this weekend." Mirchi9.com gave a review stating "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum is a thought provoking intense entertainer which carries an inherent message in it. Leaving aside the commercial dynamics of the movie, the movie is a must watch." Tikkview.com gives 3.9/5 for this film saying that it is a mass movie.

Box office
The film collected around 15.1 crore in 20 days worldwide.