Rudrangi

Rudrangi is 2023 Indian Telugu-language epic action drama film written and directed by Ajay Samrat. and produced by Rasamayi Balakishan under Rasamayi Films. It stars Jagapati Babu, Mamta Mohandas, Ashish Gandhi, Vimala Raman in vital roles. The soundtrack is composed by Nawfal Raja Asi. It was released on 7 July 2023.

Plot
During the pre-independence era, a territory in Telangana where an old serf, Maisaiah, resides with the progeny of his son & daughter, Mallesh & Rudrangi. Since he is aging, he knits the infant cousins to be indivisible. One day, ailing Maisaiah says no to the evil overlord Bhujanga Rao. As a result, he is tortured to death when enraged Mallesh strikes Bhujanga Rao and runs, leaving behind Rudrangi in his vile clutches. Presently, he enters a region, "Rudrangi," trampled by a monarch, Bheem Rao Deshmukh, an antagonist to Bhujanga Rao. At one point, Mallesh shields him from Bhujanga Rao's assassination plot. From there, he turns his stanch, and Bheem Rao's benevolent wife, Meera Bai, dotes on him as a sibling.

Years pass, and Bheem Rao opts for a second marriage with vigorous spitfire Jwala Bai Deshmukh. On their first night, Bhujanga Rao reattempted homicide when Jwala Bai thrashed it. Consequently, Bheem Rao guns his ultimate weapon, Mallesh, who smashes the foe single-handedly when Jwala Bai entices him. Moreover, Bheem Rao keeps her off for the lack of femininity. She moves to extremes to allure Mallesh but fails before his loyalty.

Meanwhile, on the hunt, Bheem Rao spots a tribal belle, burns out of lust, and dictates to Mallesh to get ahold of her, which he does. Here, as a flabbergast, he unveils her as his beloved childhood bride, Rudrangi. Yet, Bheem Rao yearns for her when Mallesh revolts and is seized by backstab. However, with the aid of Jwala Bai, Mallesh & Rudrangi are freed and landed in the forest. Hence, Bheem Rao perpetrates the entire "Rudrangi" to victims of torment for their whereabouts. Being conscious of it, Rudrangi fires up Mallesh, who onslaughts on Bheem Rao's bestialities and thrives publicly. Exasperated, Bhim Rao seizes water via his lake, and an oppressive drought arises.

Now, he edicts to surrender Rudrangi instead of it, which the masses renounce despite the catastrophe. Vexed Rudrangi elects self-denial when the villagers adore her as a deity. Following, she proceeds with the consent of Mallesh, who overcomes grief. Currently, Rudrangi commits suicide to protect her celibacy, and it reforms Jwala Bai, too, after soul-searching. At the same time, Meera Bai is in labor and delivers a baby girl. Before dying, she bestows the newborn to Mallesh, stating she should become a darling to the region by raising as a commoner. Mallesh consigns the baby to his acolyte Rajanna by instructing him to rear as his daughter and mold as beneficiary.

Then, he brawls with Bheem Rao and is gravely wounded. Parallelly, the demise defects for poisoning the lake, the public barge on Bheem Rao, including his sidekicks and Jwala Bai. Thus, self-prided Bheem Rao decapitates himself. At last, Mallesh leaves his breath, showing that turtle doves are immortal. Finally, the movie ends with the heir, Rudrangi, who returns to achieving Mallesh's goals.

Cast

 * Jagapathi Babu as Bheemrao Deshmukh
 * Mamta Mohandas as Jwala Bhai Deshmukh
 * Vimala Raman as Meera Bhai
 * Ashish Gandhi as Malesh
 * Ganavi Laxman as Rudrangi
 * Kalakeya Prabhakar as Bhujanga Rao
 * RS Nanda as Karanam
 * Katta Antony as Maisigadu
 * Rangadham as Rajanna
 * Divi Vadthya as item number
 * Charishma Sreekar as Rudrangi-2, Bheema Rao's daughter
 * Naveena Reddy as Nagamani

Soundtrack
The soundtrack and score of the film is composed by Nawfal Raja Asi. The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.

Production
The film motion poster has been launched on 3 October 2022 and Mamta Mohandas first look on 22 October 2022. The teaser is out on 17 April 2023 and trailer on 26 June 2023 and The movie is scheduled to release on 7 July 2023. Its Pre-release function held on 30 June 2023 at Pradhan Conventions, Financial District. Nandamuri Balakrishna graced function as Chief Guest who proclaimed it as rarest.

Reception
Venkat Arikatla of Great Andhra rated the film 2/5 stars, stating that "the film is a forgettable and tedious experience, with forced scenes and contrived narratives"/ Indiaglitz rated the film 2.75/5 stars, stating that the film "exhibits potential in its first half but fails to maintain its momentum in the latter part". Prakash Precheti of The South FIrst rated the film 2/5 stars, stating that the "drama takes a backseat in the process as the story becomes too fictional". Srivathsan Nadadhur of OTT Play gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote "While Rudrangi has its share of eccentricities, the director Ajay Samrat leaves a lasting impression with his eye for drama, nuanced understanding of human emotions and commercial appeal. With powerful performances by Jagapathi Babu, Mamta Mohandas and Ashish Gandhi, this is a gripping period drama". Satya Pulgam of ABP Desam wrote "From the beginning to the end of 'Rudrangi', the emotions in most of the scenes impress the audience. Director Ajay has shown good command in terms of scenes and emotions. Especially the words are very good". A reviewer of Telugu Asianet News wrote "Finally, a movie that explores the background of Telangana aristocrats from another perspective. What "Rudrangi" wanted was not slavery, but schools". 123 Telugu proclaims was purely Jagapathi Babu's show all the way an outstanding performance, Ashish Gandhi got a very good role, Ganavi Laxmi was impressive, and Mamta Mohandas was phenomenal. Overall the first half is decent, the second half is below par. Rudrangi was "serious spoof of several films" as per greatandhra. Jagapathi Babu is too loud & appears artificial, Asish Gandhi lacks acting skills, Ganavi Laxman is decent, Mamta Mohandas overacts and the movie misses originality, ambience, and filmmaking style. Mirchi9 rated 1.5/5. Jagapathi Babu plays an obnoxious character, Ashish Gandhi looks physically apt, and female leads Vimala Raman, Mamta Mohandas & Ganavi Laxman work adequately. The movie is to be said unbearably loud. According to Indiaglitz exhibits potential in its first half but fails to latter. Lack of emotional depth and subpar action sequences be inadequate of good potential. Telugu Bulletin affirms ‘Rudrangi’ has a decent storyline but the second half is dragged down and the climax is outdated. In line with cinejosh by RamBabu Parvathaneni rates 2.5/5 declaring ‘Rudrangi’ was a cannon. It sounds like Jagapathi Babu looked ferocious & menacing, but Mamta Mohan Das's impact in the first half goes missing in the second half. Routines crept, emotions are forced, and absence of logic.