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Narappa
Official release poster
Directed bySrikanth Addala
Screenplay byVetrimaaran
Story byVetrimaaran
Dialogues bySrikanth Addala
Based onAsuran
by Vetrimaaran
Vekkai
by Poomani
Produced byD. Suresh Babu
Kalaipuli S. Thanu
StarringVenkatesh
Priyamani
Karthik Rathnam
Vasishta N. Simha
CinematographyShyam K. Naidu
Edited byMarthand K. Venkatesh
Music byMani Sharma
Production
companies
Suresh Productions
V Creations
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release date
  • 20 July 2021 (2021-07-20)
Running time
153 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Narappa is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language period action drama film written and directed by Srikanth Addala. It is remake of Vetrimaaran's Tamil-language film Asuran (2019) which is itself based on the novel Vekkai by Poomani. The film is produced by D. Suresh Babu and Kalaipuli S. Thanu under their respective banners Suresh Productions and V Creations. The film stars Venkatesh, Priyamani, Karthik Rathnam, and Vasishta N. Simha, while Nassar, Rao Ramesh, Rajeev Kanakala, Brahmaji, Ammu Abhirami, Aadukalam Naren and Karthik Rathnam plays the other important supporting roles.

Mani Sharma composed the film's music while cinematography and editing are performed by Shyam K. Naidu and Marthand K. Venkatesh respectively. Principal photography of the film started in January 2020 and was shot in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Narappa premiered on 20 July 2021 on Amazon Prime Video.[1]

Plot

[edit]

In the 1980s Anantapur district, a man and a boy are trekking across a river, carrying homemade bombs. In another part of the village, a woman, a man, and a young girl are also hiding from the police.

The narrator reveals in a flashback that the man is Narappa and the boy is his son Seenappa. The woman, man, and child are Narappa's wife, Sundaramma, her brother Basavaiah and daughter Bujjamma. They also had an older son called Munikanna. They are a family of farmers living in Ramasagaram. Narappa has a close relationship with his older son but is distant, almost abusive with Seenappa. Narappa is from a family of farmers.

Panduswamy is a landlord from Vadakoor (lit. northern village), who plans a cement factory with his youngest son Doraswamy and they need Narappa's 3 acres of land, to which the family is against selling, especially Munikanna. One day Sundaramma is attacked by Panduswamy's son Rangababu, to which Munikanna retaliates by severely injuring him and gets imprisoned. Consequently, Narappa pleads with Panduswamy to get Munikanna released, and he asks Narappa to prostrate before every male resident of the landlord's village as atonement, to reinforce the caste pride of Panduswamy. Once released, Munikanna comes to know of this event and in rage, Munikanna beats Panduswamy with a slipper. As revenge, Panduswamy orders his henchmen, led by a hunter Gampanna to kill Munikanna. They behead Munikanna and his nude headless body is dumped in the village. Sundaramma is heartbroken, and after a year, Seenappa is compelled to kill Panduswamy in revenge. Narappa witnesses the attack, and flees with his family. He takes Seenappa along with him and asks Basavaiah to flee with Sundaramma and daughter Bujjamma.

The film returns to the present. Gampanna is ordered by Doraswamy & Rangababu to find Narappa and Seenappa. He tracks them down, and almost kills Seenappa. Narappa defeats them all and when they recover, Narappa explains why he spared their lives.

Twenty years earlier, Narappa is the native of a different village and he is a village-famous moonshine brewer and trusted servant to Shankaraiah, a privileged caste landlord. One day, Narappa convinces Sankaraiah to employ Seenu, an unemployed youth belonging to Shankaraiah's caste, as a clerk. Narappa's brother Munnappa and Varadarajulu, a lawyer, are attempting to regain their poor farming community's land from privileged caste landlords who had seized it illegally. Narappa's family repeatedly fails to find a bride for him as he is a brewer. Frustrated Narappa's elder sister's daughter Kannamma, proposes to her uncle which he and the family accepts. Seenu slowly gains Shankaraiah's trust and becomes his mill accountant. Seenu's attitude towards Narappa changes as his caste pride kicks in. Once Seenu insults Narappa when he asks him to give Rs. 1 as loan under his account, from Sankaraiah's money, which was a usual practice. Narappa beats Seenu inside the mill, Sankaraiah intervenes and pacifies Narappa, and Seenu plans revenge. Meanwhile, Narappa gifts a pair of sandals to Kannamma. In tha area and time, sandals were considered as a luxury which only privileged caste people could use. The oppressed caste people used to walk barefoot. Noticing Kannamma wearing sandals, Seenu hits her and forces her to walk through the village with the sandals on her head. Narappa retaliates by hitting him with sandals in the middle of the village and ties him up but is reprimanded by Shankaraiah, whose real colours are revealed when he specifically states Seenu getting beaten up by Narappa is not the same as Narappa's caste girl being beaten up by Seenu. Humiliated and enraged Narapppa quits brewing and joins his brother in his movement. One night, before a meeting is conducted by Munnappa and Narappa, the news arrives that Adv. Varadarajulu is arrested, and Narappa is sent to get the documents authorizing the meeting. When he returns, Munappa has been killed by Seenu and Narappa's entire family, including Kannamma, and most of their caste village, has been burned alive in their huts along with Kannamma. Enraged, Narappa brutally kills Shankaraiah, Seenu, and their men.

After that, Narappa leaves the village and months later is found by Basavaiah, who taught him farming. He's also introduced to Sundaramma, who is not getting marriage proposals. Then, he narrates his story, and Sundaramma admires what he did for his family and expresses her willingness to marry Narappa. Narappa surrenders to the court with the help of Adv. Varadarajulu and is given a short-term penalty considering his crime was not premeditated and happened in the midst of a communal clash with mutual casualties. After serving his sentence, he marries Sundaramma. Seenappa is amazed at his father's past and starts to admire him. Narappa meets with his wife and daughter and reaches Varadarajulu for help who advises them to turn up to court the next day.

Doraswamy and Rangababu plan an ambush near the court premises and Narappa and Seenappa who realise this at the last moment, flee from the court premises without surrendering. Later villagers in Narappa & Basavaiah's village and villagers in Vadakkoor, arrange a peace meeting wherein Panduswamy promises to let go of Seenappa and Narappa if Narappa agrees to sell his land to Panduswamy. Narappa reluctantly sells his land to protect Seenappa from Panduswamy's family. However, Seenappa is abducted and tortured by Doraswamy & Rangababu, in direct violation of the agreement. At this point, the infuriated Narappa kills them and many of their henchmen. He and Seenappa sustain serious injuries. As Narappa and Seenappa are cornered and about to be killed, Basavaiah and their villagers arrive armed and defuse the situation.

In the end, it is revealed that the two villages agreed that the conflict should end to prevent a deadly village clash. Narappa's family has gathered in the court, and he has agreed to go to jail instead of Seenappa. He tells his son to study well and get a job, and that, unlike land and money, the privileged caste landlords can't seize their education. The film ends with Narappa smiling at his family as he enters the court.

Cast

[edit]
  • Venkatesh as Narappa
  • Priyamani as Sundaramma
  • Karthik Rathnam as Munikanna, Narappa and Sundaramma's Elder Son, Seenappa's Elder Brother
  • Rakhi as Seenappa, Narappa and Sundaramma's Elder Son, Munikanna's Younger Brother
  • Vasishta N. Simha as Shavkar Shankaraiah Relative
  • Nassar as Shavkar Shankaraiah
  • Rao Ramesh as Lawyer Varadarajulu
  • Rajeev Kanakala as Basavaiah
  • Ammu Abhirami as Kannamma, Narappa's Niece
  • Rathika Rose as Narappa's Niece
  • Brahmaji as Munappa, Narappa's Elder Brother
  • Jhansi as Narrappa's sister
  • Aadukalam Naren as Panduswamy
  • Rakesh Velivela as Katappa
  • Rajsekhar Aningi as Veeraiah
  • Prabhakar as Gampanna
  • Ramaraju as Inspector Thippiswamy
  • Sritej as Rangababu
  • Raj Deepak Shetty as Doraswamy
  • Arundathi Aravind as Subbadasu
  • Kadambari Kiran as Constable
  • Racha Ravi as cobbler

Production

[edit]

Development and casting

[edit]

In November 2019, Srikanth Addala confirmed that he would be directing Telugu remake of Asuran with Venkatesh playing the titular role.[2] Title was revealed as Narappa in January 2020.[3][4] The film marks the second collaboration of Venkatesh and Srikanth Addala after working in the 2013 family drama film Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. Venkatesh plays the role of Narappa, belonging to an oppressed caste from Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh.[5] Similar to Asuran, Venkatesh plays a man of his mid-40s. Priyamani was cast as Sundaramma and Karthik Rathnam as Munikanna, playing Narappa's wife and elder son respectively.[6][7]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography of the film began on 22 January 2020 at Paalturu village near Uravakonda in Anantapur district.[8][9] First schedule was to be shot in Rayalaseema region for authenticity.[10] The film team then moved to Tamil Nadu to film few action scenes, and completed it in the March 2020, before the COVID-19 lockdown in India.[11] These scenes were shot under the supervision of action director Peter Hein at Kurumalai, Theri Kaadu (Teri dune complex), Tirunelveli and other areas of Tamil Nadu.[12][13] Filming has been suspended in March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.[14] It was reported that the film's shooting will be resumed in October 2020.[citation needed] Later, it was confirmed that the filming will be resumed on 9 November 2020 in Hyderabad, with Venkatesh being part of the filming for five days.[15] By the time, the film has completed 80% of the shooting.[16] By the end of January 2021, the shooting was wrapped up.[17][18][19] Venkatesh completed his part of dubbing in May 2021, during the second-wave lockdown.[20]

Themes and influences

[edit]

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo felt that Narappa is a story of revenge and the leading man's transformation is reminiscent of Rajinikanth in Baashha (1995).[21] The film explores various social issues in India, including caste discrimination and primarily shows the theme of "rich vs poor".[22][23] The core plot of the film is influenced by the real-life Kilvenmani massacre that occurred in 1968 in Kizhavenmani village, Tamil Nadu.[24]

Music

[edit]
Narappa
Soundtrack album by
Mani Sharma
ReleasedJuly 30, 2021 (2021-07-30)
Recorded2020–2021
StudioMahati Recording Studio, Hyderabad
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length18:49
LanguageTelugu
LabelSuresh Productions Music
ProducerMani Sharma
Mani Sharma chronology
Red
(2021) 		Narappa
(2021) 		Acharya
External audio
audio icon Audio Jukebox on YouTube
Singles from Narappa
  1. "Chalaaki Chinnammi"
    Released: 11 July 2021
  2. "Ooo Narappa"
    Released: 16 July 2021
  3. "Rage of Narappa"
    Released: 23 July 2021

After working as the film scorer in the film Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), this is the second time Mani Sharma, collaborating with Srikanth, and first time as the composer of soundtrack album. First single "Chalaaki Chinnammi" was released on 11 July 2021 through Suresh Productions Music label.[25][26] The second single "Ooo Narappa" was released on 16 July 2021.[27][28][29] Third single "Rage of Narappa" was released on 23 July 2021. The soundtrack album (jukebox) was released on 30 July 2021.

All music is composed by Mani Sharma.

Original Soundtrack
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Chalaaki Chinnammi"Ananta SriramAditya Iyengar, Nutana Mohan3:27
2."Ooo Narappa"Ananta SriramDhanunjay, Varam3:41
3."Rage of Narappa" (Narakara Theme)Ananta SriramL. V. Revanth, Sai Charan, Sri Krishna4:01
4."Thalli Pegu"Sirivennela Seetharama SastrySaindhavi3:48
5."Ooru Natta"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryAnurag Kulkarni1:43
Total length:18:49

Release

[edit]

The film was scheduled to release on 14 May 2021[30] but was postponed due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[31] On 29 June 2021, it was announced that film received U/A certification from Central Board of Film Certification.[32][33] In July 2021, it was announced that the film would have its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 20 July 2021, forgoing its theatrical release.[34][35][36] About the film's release on Amazon Prime Video, producer Suresh Babu commented that "The film's core message is very powerful. It does not shy away from the truths. I am certain that it will impact in ways that no one would expect. I am incredibly happy that we are able to showcase our film to audiences across 240 countries and territories".[37]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[38]

Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave a rating of 3.5 out of 5 and wrote that "In this adaptation of Poomani’s acclaimed novel Vekkai, Srikanth Addala gets out of the comfort zone of his usually bright and happy family dramas."[39] Writing for Cinema Express, Ram Venkat Srikar commented that "In all, Narappa is as faithful a remake can get; it is, perhaps, too immaculate for its own good. When the original is a film like Asuran, there is no way a remake can go wrong, and fittingly, Narappa, despite its shortcomings, is a welcome change in Telugu cinema."[40]

Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion stated that "The screenwriting in the film is cyclical: what happens in one generation finds an echo in the next. Narappa isn’t quite as good as Asuran but — on its own terms — it’s pretty good."[41]

In contrast, Janani K of India Today cited that "Director Srikanth Addala’s Narappa is a faithful remake of Dhanush’s Asuran. However, it lacks the freshness and soul of Asuran."[42] Praising the performances done by all the actors and work by the director, Shubham Kulkarni of Koimoi stated: "Did We Really Need A Scene-To-Scene Copy Of Asuran?" and added that "The remake is good but not equal to the brilliance the Dhanush starrer stood on."[43] Sasidhar Adivi of Deccan Chronicle wrote, "Narappa works in parts as a dark and gripping drama. The storyline is old and predictable, but the performances and emotional trail make it a decent watch."[44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'Narappa' movie review: Venkatesh-starrer is a nearly flawless action drama". Deccan Herald. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Telugu director Srikanth Addala to remake Dhanush's 'Asuran'". The News Minute. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Telugu remake of 'Asuran' titled 'Naarappa' starring Venkatesh". The Hindu. 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Telugu remake of 'Asuran' titled 'Naarappa' starring Venkatesh". The Hindu. 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Venkatesh Daggubati, Priyamani's Telugu actioner Narappa set for global premiere on Amazon Prime Video!". Zee News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Karthik Rathnam's first-look as Munikanna from Narappa released on his birthday". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Asuran is Naarappa in Telugu: Venkatesh looks fierce in Srikanth Addala's film". India Today. 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  8. ^ Nyayapati, Neeshita. "Venkatesh's 'Naarappa' begins shoot in Anantapur". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Venkatesh starts shoot for 'Asuran' Telugu remake 'Naarappa'". The New Indian Express. 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. ^ Nyayapati, Neeshita (22 January 2020). "Venkatesh's 'Naarappa' begins shoot in Anantapur". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  11. ^ "నారప్ప వచ్చాడప్ప". Sakshi (in Telugu). 19 March 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Narappa Update! Shooting of 'Asuran' remake progressing rapidly at Theri Kaadu Red Desert". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Venkatesh Narappa shot at Theri kaadu Red Desert". www.ragalahari.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Venkatesh Daggubati's Narappa shoot put on hold". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Venky to shoot some scenes for Narappa". Deccan Chronicle. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Team of Narappa resumes shooting in the new normal". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Shooting for Venkatesh and Priyamani starrer Narappa wrapped up". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Narappa: Priyamani And Venkatesh Starrer Telegu Film Wraps Up Its Shooting". www.spotboye.com. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Narappa wraps up shooting". Filmy Focus. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Venkatesh's special care in dubbing for Narappa". 123telugu.com. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  21. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (20 July 2021). "'Narappa' movie review: A faithful, frame-to-frame remake of 'Asuran'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  22. ^ Keramalu, Karthik (21 July 2021). "Narappa, On Amazon Prime Video With Venkatesh, Is A Legitimate Remake But Falls Short Of Asuran". Film Companion. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Narappa review: Venkatesh film is bold, powerful and faithful to Asuran". The Indian Express. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Dhanush's 'Asuran' And The Film's Dalit Hero Are Not Worth Celebrating". HuffPost India. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  25. ^ Hymavathi, Ravali (11 July 2021). "First Single 'Chalaaki Chinnammi' From Narappa Is Out". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Narappa's Chalaaki Chinnammi: Melody Brahma Mani Sharma's family song is beautiful". Pinkvilla. 11 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  27. ^ "'Ooo Narappa' lyrical video promo song from Narappa - Venkatesh, Priyamani". ap7am.com. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Narappa | Song - Ooo... Narappa (Lyrical) | Telugu Video Songs". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  29. ^ "'ఓ నార‌ప్ప.. నువ్వంటే ఎంతో ఇట్టంగుంది నార‌ప్ప'." Sakshi (in Telugu). 17 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Chiranjeevi's 'Acharya', Venkatesh's 'Narappa' eye summer 2021 releases". The Hindu. 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  31. ^ Palisetty, Ramya (29 April 2021). "Venkatesh's Narappa release date postponed due to Covid-19 spike". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Venkatesh's 'Narappa' gets U/A certification". The News Minute. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Venkatesh Daggubati and Priya Mani's Narappa gets U/A certification". www.msn.com. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  34. ^ Desk, Entertainment (12 July 2021). "Venkatesh-starrer Narappa opts for direct OTT release, to stream on Amazon Prime Video from this date". The Indian Express. Retrieved 12 July 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  35. ^ Bhasin, Shriya (12 July 2021). "Venkatesh, Priyamani-starrer Telugu film 'Narappa' to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in July". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  36. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (12 July 2021). "Venkatesh's 'Narappa' to premiere July 20 on Amazon Prime". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  37. ^ "The narrative of 'Narappa' is layered and thought-provoking: Co-producer D Suresh Babu". Zee News. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Narappa". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Narappa Movie Review", The Times of India, retrieved 20 July 2021
  40. ^ "Narappa Movie Review: Asuran's identical twin is pedantic yet powerful". Cinema Express. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  41. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (20 July 2021). "Narappa Movie Review, On Amazon Prime Video: Venkatesh Holds This Faithful Adaptation Of Asuran Together". Film Companion. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  42. ^ Janani K. (20 July 2021). "Narappa Movie Review: Venkatesh's Asuran Telugu remake lacks soul". India Today. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Narappa Movie Review: Did We Really Need A Scene-To-Scene Copy..." Koimoi. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  44. ^ Adivi, Sashidhar (20 July 2021). "Narappa movie review". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
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