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"Hanu-Man Movie (also known as HanuMan) is a 2024 Telugu-language superhero film directed and written by Prasanth Varma, produced by Primeshow Entertainment. Teja Sajja stars in the titular role, supported by Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Samuthirakani, Vinay Rai, Vennela Kishore, and Raj Deepak Shetty. The story is set in the fictional village of Anjanadri and marks the debut of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). It follows Hanumanthu's journey, who gains the power of Lord Hanuman to rescue Anjanadri's people and confronts Michael after encountering a mysterious gem.
Principal photography began in Hyderabad on 25 June 2021 and concluded in mid-April 2023. The film features music by GowraHari and Anudeep Dev, cinematography by Dasaradhi Sivendra, visual effects supervised by Venkat Kumar Jetty, and editing by Sai Babu Talari.
Released on 12 January 2024, during Sankranti, Hanu-Man received acclaim from critics for Varma's direction, screenplay, performances, visualization of Lord Hanuman, background score, VFX, production design, and action sequences. It shattered numerous box office records, grossing over ₹330 crore (US$41 million) and emerging as the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2024, the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2024, and the eighth highest-grossing Telugu film worldwide."
Cast
Teja Sajja as Hanumanthu / Hanu-Man
Revanth Reddy as Young Hanumanthu
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as Anjamma, Hanumanthu's Sister
Amritha Aiyer as Dr. Meenakshi
Praanya P Rao as Young Meenakshi
Vinay Rai as Michael / Mega Man
Vikas as Young Michael
Samuthirakani as Vibhishana, King of Lanka
Vennela Kishore as Dr. Sirivennela "Siri", Michael's friend
Raj Deepak Shetty as Gajapathi
Satya as Gunneswara Rao, a shopkeeper
Getup Srinu as Kaasi
Rohini Noni as Meenakshi's friend
Rakesh Master as Puli Raju, Gajapathi's henchman
Sunishith as himself (cameo)
Ravi Teja as Koti, a monkey (voice-over)
Plot
In the heart of Saurashtra, India, in 1998, young Michael dreams of becoming a superhero. Tragedy strikes as a fire claims his parents' lives, leading him to grow up in Mumbai as the celebrated "Mega Man." In present times, Mega Man, aided by Siri's innovations, seeks greater power after a heroic act leaves him injured. Meanwhile, in Anjanadri, Hanumanthu, a petty thief, saves Meenakshi from a false bandit attack, discovering a mysterious gem underwater. As Meenakshi searches for her savior, Hanumanthu challenges tyranny and proposes democracy, attracting Michael's attention. Michael, seeking the gem's power, manipulates events, but Hanumanthu embraces his newfound responsibility. When Michael attacks, Hanumanthu, aided by the gem's true nature, defeats him. With Lord Hanuman's blessing, Hanumanthu embraces his destiny, setting the stage for a sequel, "Jai Hanuman."
Production
Development
Producer Niranjan Reddy approached director Prasanth Varma to helm a film for his banner after being impressed by Zombie Reddy (2021). Following the success of Zombie Reddy, Varma announced his fourth project on May 29, 2021, coinciding with his birthday. This announcement marked the first superhero film in Telugu cinema. Varma, in an interview with Deccan Chronicle, revealed that the film drew inspiration from the Hindu deity Hanuman, stating that the protagonist's name, Hanu-Man, pays homage to the revered figure. Funded by American NRI film distributor Kandagatla Niranjan Reddy under Primeshow Entertainment, Hanu-Man was made on a budget of ₹20 crores. During the teaser launch event in Hyderabad in November 2022, Varma disclosed that the production budget had surged sixfold from its initial estimation. Hanu-Man serves as the inaugural entry in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU).
Pre-production
The story of Hanu-Man originated from Varma and was further developed by his team at Scriptsville, a writing firm he co-founded with his sister, Sneha Sameera. Varma attributed his education in a gurukul for aiding in the film's research. Additionally, Varma sought advice from acclaimed filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli during the film's production.
Anudeep Dev, GowraHari, and Krishna Saurabh were enlisted to compose the music, with GowraHari handling the background score. Sai Babu Tallari served as the editor, reuniting with Varma after their collaboration on Zombie Reddy. Other key technicians included cinematographer Dasaradhi Sivendra, production designer Nagendra Tangala, and action choreographers Nandu and Prudhvi. Costume design was overseen by Lanka Santhoshi.
Prior to commencing the first shooting schedule, the team constructed a studio at leased land in Vattinagulapally, Telangana, for filming green screen shots. Additionally, Teja Sajja underwent a special workshop to physically and intensively prepare for his role in the film.
Casting
Teja Sajja portrayed the titular character Hanumanthu, a superhero, sporting a long hair and bearded look that was finalized after considering 25 different looks. This marked Teja's third collaboration with Varma after their work together on Zombie Reddy and Adbhutham (2021). Varma explained his casting choice, stating that he sought an actor who could fully commit to the role both in appearance and performance, making Teja the perfect fit. Teja underwent scuba diving training for the film.
Amritha Aiyer was cast as the lead actress, with her character named Meenakshi. Varma selected Aiyer after being impressed by her performance in the song "Neeli Neeli Aakasam." Varalaxmi Sarathkumar was recruited for a pivotal role, confirmed on the eve of her birthday in March 2022. Tamil actor Vinay Rai was announced as the antagonist in June 2022, with Varma noting the challenges Rai faced while wearing his character's suit.
Design
Nagendra Tangala served as the production designer for Hanu-Man. The team leased agricultural land in Vattinagulapally near Hyderabad to design the sets of Anjanadri, a process that took approximately 150 to 200 days. Nagendra described their vision for Anjanadri as a blend of fantasy and reality, surrounded by lush greenery, hills, and a river. The bank fight sequence was also set in this location.
One of the challenges Nagendra faced was designing the Rudramani, formed from Hanuman's blood drop. They created over a hundred manis in various shapes to make it appear natural and believable. Additionally, a set of double-bedroom flats near Kollur, built by the government, was constructed for filming the bank robbery scene. The team also rebuilt the entire Maharshi set at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad in just one day for the film's climax scenes.
Nagendra revealed that the team designed the large Hanuman statue in Anjanadri using graphics, drawing inspiration from the seven hills of Tirumala.
Filming
The film was officially launched on 25 June 2021 in Hyderabad, marked by a pooja ceremony and muhurtam shot. Principal photography also commenced on the same day. By August 2021, approximately 40% of filming had been completed. Action sequences and songs were filmed in Maredumilli and Paderu, Andhra Pradesh, in September 2021, contributing to around 60% completion by December 2021.
A temporary studio named Hanuman Studio was set up in Vattinagulapally for green screen shots, while wide-angle visuals were captured in Paderu and Maredumilli. The underwater sequence was filmed in Mumbai in December 2022, with Teja Sajja undergoing specialized training for fifteen days in Hyderabad for this segment.
The climax sequences, spanning over 40 days, were shot at Ramoji Film City, with an additional five days dedicated to filming the aerial climax scene. Principal photography concluded on 17 April 2023 after 130 working days of filming.
Post-production
The official launch of the film took place on 25 June 2021 in Hyderabad, marked by a ceremonial pooja and the commencement of principal photography on the same day. By August 2021, about 40% of the filming had been completed, with additional action sequences and songs shot in Maredumilli and Paderu, Andhra Pradesh, in September 2021, pushing the completion to around 60% by December 2021.
A temporary studio named Hanuman Studio was established in Vattinagulapally for green screen shots, while expansive visuals were captured in Paderu and Maredumilli. The underwater sequence was filmed in Mumbai in December 2022, following Teja Sajja's specialized training in Hyderabad for this segment.
The climax sequences, spanning over 40 days, were shot at Ramoji Film City, with an additional five days dedicated to filming the aerial climax scene. Principal photography wrapped up on 17 April 2023 after 130 working days of filming.
Themes and influences
Hanu-Man, a fusion of sci-fi, fantasy, and mythology, features Teja Sajja as Hanumanthu, a petty thief bestowed with superpowers after discovering a totem. Director Prasanth Varma, inspired by Indian epics, particularly the Ramayana, aimed to create a culturally rooted superhero narrative. Varma expressed his childhood fascination with superheroes and mythology, envisioning Hanuman as a quintessential indigenous hero. The film seamlessly blends religious elements with modern-day settings, drawing from Hanuman's iconic exploits. Varma's storytelling transcends religious narratives, focusing on character-driven plots and visual spectacle. The fictional village of Anjanadri serves as the backdrop, drawing parallels to iconic fictional locales like Gotham City. Hanu-Man incorporates nods to popular culture and pays homage to Telugu cinema icons, enriching its narrative tapestry. The film's portrayal of Hanumanthu's journey intertwines mythological elements with contemporary storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on Indian superhero cinema.
Marketing
The film's teaser launched at AMB Cinemas on 21 November 2022, followed by NFT collectibles debut on 13 December 2022. The Avakaya Anjaneya song released on 28 November 2023, with Teja Sajja promoting the film at SREEVISION'23 on 12 December 2023. The official trailer premiered on 18 December 2023, attached to Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire prints. Teja Sajja further promoted the film at the Star Sports Telugu Pro Kabaddi League on 24 December. The promotional tour, "The Superhero Tour," spanned six cities from 4 to 9 January 2024, featuring press meets, events, and interactions with Chiranjeevi, Rana Daggubati, and local media.
Release
Theatrical
The film premiered in theaters on 12 January 2024 across Telugu-speaking regions, accompanied by dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Varma disclosed in an interview that distributors from Japan and Korea expressed interest after viewing the teaser. Reports emerged later in January 2024 indicating plans for a 3D release in summer 2024, featuring additional scenes.
Distribution
Mythri Hanuman Movie Makers handled distribution in the Nizam (Telangana) region, while various distributors across Andhra Pradesh included Teja Pictures (Guntur), Abhi Cinemas (Nellore), Sai Chandra Films (Ceeded), Primeshow Films (Uttarandhra), Sri Venkata Padmavathi Films (East Godavari), and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment (West Godavari and Krishna district). Sakthi Film Factory secured distribution rights in Tamil Nadu, while Sree Gokulam Movies acquired rights in Kerala. KRG Studios took charge of Karnataka's theatrical release, with AA Films handling distribution in North India. Primeshow Entertainment and Nirvana Cinemas managed North American release.
Home media
Reports emerged in February 2022, indicating that ZEE5 secured the film's digital rights, while Zee Network acquired its satellite rights. The deal, encompassing post-theatrical streaming and satellite rights, was valued at ₹35 crore. The Hanuman movie made its debut on ZEE5 on 16 March 2024. Additionally, the Hindi version premiered on Jio Cinema and Colors Cineplex. The Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada versions are set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 5 April 2024.
Reception
Critical response
HanuMan Movie garnered widespread acclaim from critics, commending Prashanth Varma's direction, screenplay, performances, Lord Hanuman's portrayal, music, VFX, production design, and action scenes. On Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 7 reviews were positive, averaging a 5.5/10 rating. The Times of India's Paul Nicodemus rated it 3.5/5, lauding its storytelling, visuals, and performances. Deccan Chronicle's Bhavana Sharma also gave it 3.5/5, praising its blend of drama, emotions, and mythology. India Today's Sana Farzeen rated it 3.5/5, highlighting its music, VFX, and comedy. DNA India's Abhimanyu Mathur awarded it 3.5/5, hailing its fusion of mythology and the superhero genre.
Box office
HanuMan Movie emerged as the biggest Sankranthi hit in Tollywood history, breaking multiple box-office records. It grossed approximately ₹330 crore (US$41 million), becoming the highest-grossing Indian film and the top Telugu film of 2024, as well as the eighth highest-grossing Telugu film globally. The Hanuman movie earned ₹15 crore (US$1.9 million) on its opening day in India and collected over ₹75 crore (US$9.4 million) worldwide in three days. Within four days, it surpassed ₹100 crore (US$13 million), and within seven days, it reached over ₹150 crore (US$19 million). The Hindi version of hanuman Movie alone grossed ₹22.5 crore (US$2.8 million) in its first week.
Future
A sequel titled "Jai HanuMan" was announced during the end credits of the film, revealing that Lord Hanuman would take center stage with more prominence than Hanumanthu. "Hanu-Man" marks the inception of a shared universe of superhero films based on Hinduism, with "Adhira" being the third installment. Director Prasanth Varma disclosed that pre-production for the sequel began on the inauguration day of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Additionally, reports surfaced indicating that Ram Charan was auditioned for the role of Shri Ram in the sequel.
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