Yagnam (2004 film)

Yagnam is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language action film produced by Pokuri Babu Rao on the Eetharam Films banner, directed by A.S. Ravi Kumar Chowdary. It was released on 2 July 2004. It stars Gopichand and Moon Banerjee (credited as Sameera Banerjee), with music composed by Mani Sharma. The film was remade in Tamil as Mannin Maindhan (2005) and in Odia as Mo Mana Khali Tori Pain (2005). The film won two Nandi Awards and was a blockbuster hit.

In 2007, the film was later dubbed and released in Hindi as Aaj Ka Raavan Raaj.

Plot
Seenu is a loyal servant and the right-hand man of faction leader Reddeppa. He and Sailaja, Reddeppa's daughter, grew up together. Nayudamma is an archrival of Reddeppa. Factional feuds between them have resulted in the loss of several lives among their groups. When Reddeppa realizes that his daughter and Seenu are in love, he swings into action, trying to kill Seenu. The rest of the story is about how Seenu secures Sailaja's hand in marriage and unites the forces of followers in both the warring groups to teach their masters (Reddeppa and Nayudamma) a lesson or two.

Production
The filming occurred in and around Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Ichchapuram, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram in the Coastal Andhra area, the capital city Hyderabad, and in the outskirts of Kadapa and Kurnool cities in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Mani Sharma. The music was released on the Maruthi Music Company label. The song "Chinnanaati Chelikade" is based on "Kanavu Kanalam" from Jai (2004).

Reception
B. Anuradha of IANS wrote that "Debutant director Ravikumar Choudury fuses a good love story into this anger-driven film with a message." Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote that "This film is definitely worth a watch for the brilliant performance of Gopichand and its first half." A critic from Sify wrote that "On the whole Yagnam is a decent entertainer which will be lapped up by the mass audience".

Awards

 * Nandi Awards - 2004
 * Best Male Comedian - Dharmavarapu Subramanyam
 * Best Female Comedian - Jahnavi