Manamantha Explained

Manamantha
Producer:
Screenplay:Chandra Sekhar Yeleti
Story:Chandra Sekhar Yeleti
Starring:
Music:Mahesh Shankar
Cinematography:Rahul Shrivatsav
Editing:Chandra Shekar G. V.
Studio:Varahi Chalana Chitram
Runtime:136 minutes
Country:India
Language:Telugu

Manamantha is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language anthology film[1] [2] written and directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti and produced by Sai Korrapati. It stars Mohanlal, Gautami, Viswant Duddumpudi, and Raina Rao and also marks the former's Telugu debut after a guest appearance in the 1994 Telugu film Gandeevam. The music was composed by Mahesh Shankar with cinematography by Rahul Shrivatsav and editing by G. V. Chandra Sekhar. The film was partially reshot in Malayalam as Vismayam with a slightly different cast.[3] [4]

The film was officially launched on 29 November 2015 in Hyderabad. The movie was mostly shot in Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Secunderabad. Principal photography commenced on the following day.[5] Manamantha was premiered on 4 August 2016 in North America and was released worldwide on 5 August 2016. Its Malayalam version, titled Vismayam was released in October 2016, but the Tamil version, titled Namadhu, was released simultaneously along with Manamantha. The film is considered one of the "25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade" by Film Companion.[6]

Plot

Manamantha follows the lives of four people from different paths and ambitions:

One day, Sai Ram meets Dass, a local moneylender, and befriends him to teach Viswanath a lesson. Sai Ram is soon promoted as the Manager of the Supermarket for his innovative ideas, and Venkat feels happy for him. To celebrate his success, Sai Ram and Babai go for a tour to Hyderabad and drink in a bar. He soon receives a phone call from Viswanath's daughter, saying that Viswanath has been missing for two days. He then confronts Dass and learns that he had kidnapped him for more money. Sai Ram feels guilty for his actions and decides to find Viswanath.

Meanwhile, Abhiram-Aira's friendship develops, and they are always together. One of Mahitha's friends, a small boy, goes missing. Mahitha is involved in the case by the local Police Inspector, who warns Bhushan to take care of Mahitha as she is put in danger, to which Bhushan agrees. Gayathri is offered a job by her professor in Singapore but denies saying that she always wants to take care of her family. Sai Ram is blackmailed by Dass for finding Viswanath, but later, Dass is shown to be dead, owing to his smoking habit. Sai Ram then decides to surrender himself to the Hyderabad Police.

Mahitha is consoled by an astrologer from Nanakram Guda, who knows her problems. As the days pass, Abhiram is unfortunately betrayed by Aira, who says to him that money is more important to her than him. Gayathri is accused of stealing jewels from a jewelry shop. Mahitha decides to go away as she is unable to find her friend.

Gayathri decides to accept the job offer for the sake of her family. She writes a letter before leaving and mentions that she bought a laptop for her son and a bike for her husband. In the process, Abhiram tries to commit suicide but remembers his mother, who is none other than Gayathri. Also, Mahitha's friend is saved by Sai Ram near a temple, as said by a priest. Fortunately, Vishwanath is also saved by Mahitha while searching for her friend.

In the airport, it is revealed that Gayathri is Sai Ram's wife, and Abhiram and Mahitha are their children. The family clicks a selfie for their reconciliation party.

Cast

Malayalam version

Production

Pre-production

The film was officially announced by Telugu film director Chandra Sekhar Yeleti on 14 October 2015. Produced by Sai Korrapati under his production company Varahi Chalana Chitram, the film was planned as a bilingual simultaneously made in Telugu and Malayalam languages. However, the film was shot entirely in Telugu and only a few scenes were reshot for the Malayalam version. Mohanlal and Gautami were announced in the lead roles.[7] The filming was then said to start by the third week of November. Yeleti described the film as a "family entertainer which involves four stories".[8] The title Manamantha was confirmed in the end of November. According to film's executive producer Krishna Rao, it is an anthology film comprising four stories which, at the end, will unite to the main plot. In Malayalam, the film is titled Vismayam, while the film has also a Tamil dubbed version titled as Namadhu.[9] [10] Tamil lyricist Madhan Karky wrote the lyrics for the songs in Tamil as well as the dialogues for Namadhu.[11]

Mohanlal and Gautami are teaming after a gap of 19 years since Iruvar (1997) directed by Maniratnam.[12] Manamantha will be Mohanlal's second Telugu film after a cameo appearance in Gandeevam (1994).[7] She will be dubbing herself for all the languages. Mohanlal took the decision to learn Telugu language by enlisting a translator to get his diction precise, as he wanted it to be as close as possible to that of a native Telugu speaker. He plays an assistant manager in a supermarket, a down-to-earth middle class man who "has strong principles and is not willing to forgo them for small gains in life,". Mohanlal dubbed for himself for all the languages, including the Tamil dubbed version.[13] There was also a negotiation with Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan for an important role.[14] In October 2015, the production team also announced a casting call for a teenage girl.[15] Viswant Duddumpudi was selected by Yeleti for one of the major roles in the film after performing a screen test for him.[16] The casting team signed Anisha Ambrose for an important role as they were impressed with her performance in her past few films, and were particularly looking for a new face.[17] She plays the love interest of Duddumpudi.[16]

Filming

The film was formally launched in Hyderabad on 29 November 2015. Principal photography and regular filming began there on 30 November.[18] Mohanlal gave dates for 25 days for filming.[8] His portions were completed by January third week.[19] The first schedule of filming was completed by the end of January.[20]

Mohanlal started dubbing his part in June 2016. He posted a picture of him working in the recording studio through Twitter and Facebook.[21] [22]

Music

Manamantha
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Mahesh Shankar
Recorded:2016
Genre:Feature film soundtrack
Language:Telugu
Tamil
Malayalam
Label:Vel Records
Producer:Sai Korrapati
Prev Title:D for Dopidi
Prev Year:2013

The soundtrack album was composed by Mahesh Shankar. The five song album was released by Vel Records on 27 July 2016.

Release

Theatrical

The film was premiered on 4 August 2016 in North America and theatrically released worldwide on the following day. It released in 81 theatres in the United States.[23] [24] Varaahi International Cinemas acquired the US and Canada distribution rights of Manamantha, Vismayam, and Namadhu.[25] [26] Vismayam and Namadhu was released only in a limited number of screens in the United States.

Home media

The film was released and is available on Hotstar.

Reception

Box office

The film collected a worldwide gross of from all three languages in the opening day.[27] In the United States, it collected $5,423 from the Thursday night premiere (4 August) and $27,314 in the opening day, coming second place among the Indian releases (behind Pellichoopulu). The film collected $118551 from 73 screens in the United States box office in the first weekend.[28] [29] In six weeks, it grossed $154,248 (₹1.04 crore) in the US.[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tanmayi. AuthorBhawana. Anthology films find many takers. 2020-06-06. Telangana Today. en-US. 6 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200606191335/https://telanganatoday.com/anthology-films-find-many-takers. live.
  2. News: C/o Kancharapalem (2018) - These 5 anthology films of Telugu cinema will leave you speechless. 2020-06-06. The Times of India. 18 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200618020934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/these-5-anthology-films-of-telugu-cinema-will-leave-you-speechless/c/o-kancharapalem-2018/photostory/66167088.cms. live.
  3. News: 'Yeleti doesn't intrude in Mohanlal's work'. The Times of India. Sanjith. Sidhardhan. 4 January 2016. 6 January 2016.
  4. News: Anu. James. Mohanlal learning Telugu for Manamantha; Venkatesh Daggubati welcomes him to Tollywood. 6 January 2016. International Business Times. 29 December 2015. 2 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160102044647/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mohanlal-learning-telugu-manamantha-venkatesh-daggubati-welcomes-him-tollywood-661223. live.
  5. Web site: IndiaGlitz. Mohanlal's Manamantha Launched. https://web.archive.org/web/20151215121639/http://www.indiaglitz.com/mohanlal-manamantha-launched-malayalam-news-147792.html. dead. 15 December 2015. IndiaGlitz.com. 8 January 2016. 29 November 2015.
  6. Web site: 25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade Film Companion. https://web.archive.org/web/20191017163531/https://www.filmcompanion.in/fc-decades/pages/telugu.html. dead. 17 October 2019. 2021-06-26. www.filmcompanion.in. en.
  7. News: Anu. James. Mohanlal to star opposite Gauthami after 18 years in Chandra Shekar Yeleti's trilingual film. 9 January 2016. International Business Times. 14 October 2015. 26 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126224028/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mohanlal-star-opposite-gauthami-after-18-years-chandra-shekar-yeletis-trilingual-film-650473. live.
  8. News: Pranita. Jonnalagedda. Mohanlal, Gautami to act in a Telugu film. 9 January 2016. The Times of India. 14 October 2015. 29 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220929092549/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Mohanlal-Gautami-to-act-in-a-Telugu-film/articleshow/49347643.cms. live.
  9. Web site: Malayalam Version Of Mohanlal's 'Manamantha' Titled As 'Vismayam'. Menon. Akhila. Filmibeat. 2 June 2016. 4 June 2016. 3 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603152016/http://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2016/mohanlal-new-movie-titled-as-vismayam-228623.html. live.
  10. News: Subramanian. Anupama. High expectations for Mohanlal's trilingual!. 24 May 2016. Deccan Chronicle. 24 May 2016. 24 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160524151706/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/240516/high-expectations-for-mohanlal-s-trilingual.html. live.
  11. Web site: A Tamil film with the 'Drishyam' Hero and 'Papanasam' Heroine. IndiaGlitz.com. 24 May 2016. 23 May 2016. 25 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160525194335/http://www.indiaglitz.com/mohanlal-gauthami-stararer-namadhi-tamil-version-of-telugu-film-manamantha-tamil-news-159472.html. live.
  12. News: Onmanorama Staff. Mohanlal to romance Gautami in trilingual. 9 January 2016. Malayala Manorama. 14 October 2015. 6 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160106033102/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/mohanlal-and-gautami-in-trilingual-movie-by-chandra-sehkar-yelet.html. live.
  13. News: Sidhardhan. Sanjith. Mohanlal to dub in Telugu and Tamil. 9 June 2016. The Times of India. 9 June 2016. 11 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160611170557/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/Mohanlal-to-dub-in-Telugu-and-Tamil/articleshow/52653347.cms?. live.
  14. News: Pranita. Jonnalagedda. Irrfan Khan's T-town return on the cards. 9 January 2016. The Times of India. 14 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014145644/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Irrfan-Khans-T-town-return-on-the-cards/articleshow/49413409.cms?from=mdr. live.
  15. News: Times News Network. Sai Korrapati to produce Chandrasekhar Yeleti's next. 9 January 2016. The Times of India. 25 October 2014. 22 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150522013510/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sai-Korrapati-to-produce-Chandrasekhar-Yeletis-next/articleshow/44934586.cms. live.
  16. News: Y. Sunita. Chowdhary. It's getting better for actor Vishwant Duddumpudi. 21 May 2016. The Hindu. 17 May 2016. en-IN. 17 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160517105808/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/kerintha-fame-vishwant-duddumpudi-is-now-in-the-company-of-mohanlal-and-gautami-in-his-next/article8611407.ece. live.
  17. News: Suhas. Yellapantula. Anisha Bags Big Bilingual?. 21 May 2016. The New Indian Express. 7 May 2016. 7 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160507143406/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/Anisha-Bags-Big-Bilingual/2016/05/07/article3419424.ece. dead.
  18. Web site: Telugucinema. Mohanlal, Yeleti film titled 'Manamantha'. https://web.archive.org/web/20151201074245/http://www.sify.com/movies/mohanlal-yeleti-film-titled-manamanthaa-news-telugu-pl4mSjhagahfe.html. dead. 1 December 2015. Sify. 9 January 2016. 30 November 2015.
  19. News: Sanjith. Sidhardhan. Mohanlal wraps up filming his Telugu movie. 15 January 2016. The Times of India. 14 January 2016. 25 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225180814/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Mohanlal-wraps-up-filming-his-Telugu-movie/articleshow/50574492.cms. live.
  20. News: Sanjith. Sidhardhan. Mohanlal learns Telugu for his next bilingual. 9 January 2016. The Times of India. 24 December 2015. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151230003959/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Mohanlal-learns-Telugu-for-his-next-bilingual/articleshow/50297392.cms. live.
  21. News: Jayaram. Deepika. It's a pleasure to learn and dub in Telugu: Mohanlal. 22 June 2016. The Times of India. 21 June 2016. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930005823/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Its-a-pleasure-to-learn-and-dub-in-Telugu-Mohanlal/articleshow/52851841.cms. live.
  22. Web site: Mohanlal dubbing for 'Manamantha'. https://web.archive.org/web/20160621103338/http://www.sify.com/movies/mohanlal-dubbing-for-manamantha-news-telugu-qgvjDfdchajhg.html. dead. 21 June 2016. Sify. 22 June 2016. 21 June 2016.
  23. Web site: Manamantha USA Theatres List. IndiaGlitz.com. 9 August 2016. 4 August 2016. 9 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809042521/http://www.indiaglitz.com/manamantha-usa-theatres-list-telugu-news-164494.html. live.
  24. News: Manamantha USA Schedules. 9 August 2016. Telugutimes.net. 4 August 2016. 27 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160827093833/http://www.telugutimes.net/detailsnews/?id=14166. live.
  25. Web site: Manamantha Overseas with clean U. Greatandhra.com. 9 August 2016. 19 July 2016. 23 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160823055907/http://www.greatandhra.com/movies/press-releases/manamantha-overseas-with-clean-u-75854.html. live.
  26. Web site: IndiaGlitz. Manamantha Overseas release by Vaaraahi International Cinemas. 9 August 2016. 20 July 2016. 23 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160723092747/http://www.indiaglitz.com/manamantha-overseas-release-by-vaaraahi-international-cinemas-telugu-news-163591.html. live.
  27. Web site: A 'Good Friday' For Box-office. Gulte.com. 9 August 2016. 6 August 2016. 8 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160808175238/http://www.gulte.com/movienews/50971/A-Good-Friday-For-Box-office. live.
  28. News: Shekhar H. Hooli. US box office collection: The film was Super hit, Mohanlal's 'Manamantha' beats Allu Sirish's 'Srirastu Subhamastu' in 1st weekend. 9 August 2016. International Business Times. 9 August 2016. 11 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160811230115/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/us-box-office-collection-mohanlals-manamantha-beats-allu-sirishs-srirastu-subhamastu-1st-689375. live.
  29. Web site: 'Sultan' is the 6th highest all time overseas grosser : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama. 8 August 2016. 18 July 2019. 18 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718074713/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/sultan-6th-highest-time-overseas-grosser/. live.
  30. Web site: 'Baar Baar Dekho' dismal in overseas : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama. 12 September 2016. 18 July 2019. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051955/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/baar-baar-dekho-dismal-overseas/. live.

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