''Chennakesava Reddy'' is a 2002 Indian

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India ** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language. * Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...

-language revenge action drama film, produced by

Bellamkonda Suresh Bellamkonda Suresh is an Indian film producer in the Telugu film industry. Biography Bellamkonda Suresh is married to Bellamkonda Padmavathi and has two sons named Bellamkonda Sreenivas, Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Bellamkonda Ganesh Babu. ...

under the Sri Sai Ganesh Productions banner and directed by

V. V. Vinayak Gandrothu Veera Venkata Vinayaka Rao, better known as V. V. Vinayak (born 9 October 1974), is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his work in Telugu cinema. He is recognised for directing action dramas and action comedies. Vinaya ...

. It stars

Nandamuri Balakrishna Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960), also known as Balayya or NBK, is an Indian actor, film producer, politician and philanthropist known for his works in Telugu cinema. Balakrishna is an elected member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative A ...

, Tabu,

Shriya Saran Shriya Saran Bhatnagar ( born 11 September 1982) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu language, Telugu, Tamil language, Tamil and Hindi films. Although Saran aspired to become a dancer, she became an actress and made her film deb ...

and music composed by

Mani Sharma Yanamandra Venkata Subrahmanyam (Telugu: యనమండ్ర వెంకట సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం; born 11 July 1964), professionally known as Mani Sharma, is an Indian composer and music producer known for his work primaril ...

. The film was dubbed into

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

as ''Aadikesavan'' in 2009.

Plot

The film begins in

Rayalaseema Rayalaseema (IAST: ''Rāyalasīma'') is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It comprises four southern districts of the State, from prior to the districts reorganisation in 2022, namely Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa, and ...

, where the followers of a powerful factionist, Chennakesava Reddy, genuflect before his idol and eagerly await his arrival after 22 years. Today, the terrain is under the demonic influence of Dhanunjaya Reddy, with the backing of his three siblings, Minister Jai Reddy, Justice Ravi Reddy, & Krishna Reddy. Krishna Reddy betrothed Chennakesava Reddy's sibling Janaki, whom he tormented her. Now at

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

, DCP Bharath Reddy, who resembles Chennakesava Reddy, is a stout-hearted cop and a diehard to the criminals. He quarrels with a medico, Preethi, the daughter of Commissioner Prasad, and the mishaps go on until a crush. In the interim, a sincere SP Ramaraju is deputed in Rayalaseema and hinders the outrages of Dhanunjaya Reddy. Once, he views the idol of Chennakesava Reddy and knowledge of his eminence. Eventually, he falls victim to political clout, which causes his transfer to

Tihar Jail Tihar Prisons, popularly known as Tihar Jail, are a prison complex in India and are one of the largest complexes of prisons in India. There are 9 functional prisons spread over more than 400 acres. Run by Department of Delhi Prisons, the prison ...

. Suddenly, he detects Chennakesava Reddy as a captive under remand for 22 years. Anyhow, SP succeeds in acquitting him with the legal proceedings. Forthwith, Chennakesava Reddy assassinates Minister Jai Reddy back to his hometown, and the public pompously welcomes him. Immediately, he thunderbolts on foes and regains his ownership. Plus, he embraces his sister Janaki and states it's inevitable to eliminate her husband, which she approves. Then, Bharath is Chennakesava Reddy's son, who walks to his father with his mother, Devi. Shortly, Preeti lands therein, and the elders fix their alliance. Simultaneously, the evildoers discern that Bharat is spirited and can confront his father and shield them. So, they empowered him in this region. Next, Chennakesava Reddy starts his murder spree and wipes out Justice Ravi Reddy. Consequently, Krishna Reddy plots and backstabs him when Janaki butchers her husband. Just as Bharat reaches to whom, Janaki divulges the fact and spins rearward. Chennakesava Reddy is generous and the most revered arbiter of the terrain. He fiercely rivals malicious Venkat Reddy, the father of these black guards. At one time, he witnesses another one, Giri Reddy of Venkat Reddy, killing an innocent. Hence, Chennakesava Reddy reprisals by snuffing him as a penalty. Here, Venkat Reddy infuriates & cabals by knitting Krishna Reddy with Janaki. On that eve, Venkat Reddy & sons hack the entire family to death. On the verge of terminating, Chennakesava Reddy falls short and slays Venkat Reddy. Moreover, it pays off in crossing his wife & son the border. Thereupon, the knaves wangled false allegations and seized him. Listening to it, Bharath understands his father's virtue but is constrained to his duty. For now, Chennakesava Reddy is in hiding when Bharath artifices Devi's death, and he lets out. Then, Devi stabs herself as her husband's notion must never be wrong. Following, Bharat surrounds him from 4 sides when he gallantly absconds with a chase. Tragically, Devi leaves her breath in his lap. During her funeral, Chennakesava Reddy is trickily apprehended and jailed. Meanwhile, Dhanunjaya Reddy takes political entry when Chennakesava Reddy breaks the bars, onslaughts in a public meeting, and slaughters him with the aid of Bharath. At last, Chennakesava Reddy proceeds to sentence and orders Bharath to be seated in his position. Finally, the movie ends happily, with Bharath continuing his father's legacy.

Cast

in a

dual role A dual role (also known as a double role) refers to one actor playing two roles in a single production. Dual roles (or a larger number of roles for an actor) may be deliberately written into a script, or may instead be a choice made during produc ...

as Chennakesava Reddy and Bharath Reddy * Tabu as Devi, Chennakesava's wife and Bharath's mother *

as Preethi, Bharath's love interest *

Jaya Prakash Reddy Jaya Prakash Reddy (8 May 1946 – 8 September 2020) was an Indian actor who predominantly appeared in Telugu films. Born in Sirvel of Andhra Pradesh, he came into the limelight with the film ''Samarasimha Reddy'' (1999) where he played the ro ...

as Venkat Reddy * Anand Raj as Dhanunjaya Reddy *

Mohan Raj Mohanarajan (13 November 1955 – 3 October 2024), professionally credited as Mohan Raj, also known as Keerikkadan Jose, was an Indian actor and assistant enforcement officer. He primarily worked in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil languages, an ...

as Jai Reddy *

Brahmanandam Kanneganti Brahmanandam (born 1 February 1956) is an Indian actor and comedian known for his work in Telugu cinema. Recognised as one of India's finest and highest-paid comic actors, he holds the Guinness World Record for the most screen cred ...

as Seema Sastry *

Ali Ali ibn Abi Talib (; ) was the fourth Rashidun caliph who ruled from until his assassination in 661, as well as the first Shia Imam. He was the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Born to Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib an ...

as Lagaan Khan *

Annapurna Annapurna (; ) is a mountain situated in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal. It is the 10th highest mountain in the world at above sea level and is well known for the difficulty and danger involved in its as ...

as Draupadi, Chennakesava Reddy's mother *

Devayani Devayani () is a character in Hindu literature. She is described to be the daughter of Shukra, the acharya (preceptor) of the asuras, and his wife Jayanti, the daughter of Indra. She marries King Yayati, and gives birth to two sons — Ya ...

as Janaki, Chennakesava Reddy's sister * Pruthvi as Krishna Reddy, Chennakesava Reddy's brother-in-law * Devan as Judge Ravi Reddy * L.B. Sriram as Hippi Lahari * Venu Madhav as Prisoner * Siva Krishna as S.P. Ramaraju *

Ahuti Prasad Ahuti Prasad (born Adusumilli Janardhan Vara Prasad; 2 January 1958 – 4 January 2015) was an Indian actor who worked in Telugu film industry. He was renowned for the wide variety of roles he played, including father-figure, comedian, and ant ...

as Sivaji Reddy, Seeta's brother *

Chalapathi Rao Tammareddy Chalapathi Rao (8 May 1944 – 24 December 2022) was an Indian actor and producer known for comedy and villainous roles in Telugu cinema. He acted in different roles in more than 600 films. Personal life and death Rao hailed from B ...

as Sathi Reddy *

Vizag Prasad Korlam Parvathi Varaprasada Rao, better known by his stage name Vizag Prasad, was an Indian actor known for his work in Telugu cinema and theatre, particularly in negative and character roles. He made his film debut with '' Babai Abbai'' (1985), ...

as Police Commissioner Prasad *

Raghu Babu Yerra Raghu, known professionally as Raghu Babu, is a Telugu comedian. He has worked in many films in Telugu industry. He is the eldest son of comedian and character actor Giri Babu. His native place is Ravinuthala. He is known for his ...

as Giri Reddy, Venkat Reddy's son *

Nagineedu Vellanki Nagineedu is an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema, Telugu and Tamil cinema, Tamil films. He was a general manager at Prasad Labs before S. S. Rajamouli offered him a role in ''Maryada Ramanna''. He won Nandi Award for B ...

as Minister * Ponnambalam *

M. S. Narayana M. S. Narayana (16 April 1951 – 23 January 2015) was an Indian actor and comedian who worked in Telugu cinema. Narayana worked in over 750 films in his career spanning 23 years. He died on 23 January 2015 due to organ failure in Hyderabad, Ind ...

as Suri Reddy *

Fish Venkat Fish Venkat (aka Venkat Raj) is an Indian actor who works in the Telugu film industry, playing mainly comedic and negative roles. Career Venkat was born in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He strongly uses a Telangana dialect A dialect is a ...

as Venkat

Soundtrack

Music was composed by

. Music was released on Supreme Music Company.

Reception

The Hindu ''The Hindu'' is an Indian English-language daily newspaper owned by The Hindu Group, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was founded as a weekly publication in 1878 by the Triplicane Six, becoming a daily in 1889. It is one of the India ...

'' critic Gudipoodi Srihari in his review appreciated Balakrishna's portrayal of dual roles of father and son, in addition to Sharma's music score. However, he added that: "The father-son clash looks routine and dilutes the spirit of the movie." ''

Sify Sify Technologies Limited (formerly Satyam Infoway) is an Indian information and communications technology (ICT) company providing telecom services, data center services, cloud & managed services, transformation integration services, and ...

'' rated 3/5 and criticised the film stating, "It is the same old

faction fight recreated with more sprinkling of blood and gore."

References

External links

* {{V. V. Vinayak 2000s Telugu-language films 2002 action drama films 2002 films Films directed by V. V. Vinayak Films scored by Mani Sharma Films set in Andhra Pradesh Indian action drama films Indian films about revenge