Balupu

Development

Gopichand Malineni and Ravi Teja together announced that their collaboration is set for a new film whose name was revealed later. In August 2012, it was announced that the filming would begin from October 2012.^[4] The film's muhurtam was held on 26 October 2012 in a quiet ceremony held at producer Potluri's office.^{[citation needed]} A few of the film's songs were canned in Lisbon, Portugal thus making it the first Telugu film shot in Portugal.^[5] In an interview to the Portugal media, Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan and Gopichand Malineni thanked the Portugal tourism board and the local crew for their support.^{[citation needed]} In May, Gopichand Malineni responded about the delay in the film's shooting, stating "Balupu has been delayed due to fight masters and fighters union problems. Now Ram-Laxman masters have got Hyderabad union card and we are on the way."^{[citation needed]} For the first time in his career, Ravi Teja sang a song, thus making this film his debut as a singer, adding yet another feather in his cap.^{[citation needed]} As on 4 June, The post-production works were reported to be running in full-swing at breakneck speed.^{[citation needed]}

Casting

Ravi Teja was signed to play the protagonist and his role was said to be a highly energetic one with a rugged look sporting a beard, similar to his look in his previous film Venky. This film was the next film of Ravi Teja with PVP Cinemas after the 2003 film Veede.^{[citation needed]} Shruti Haasan has been recruited to play one of the female leads opposite Ravi Teja. She told IndiaGlitz that she would be playing a comedy role in the film and this will be her first attempt at comedy.^[6] For the first time in her career in Tollywood, she will be seen in a glamorous role.^{[citation needed]} S. Thaman, who previously worked with Gopichand Malineni for Bodyguard, was recruited as the music director for this project. Kona Venkat penned the script for the film.^{[citation needed]} In October, Anjali was recruited as the second female lead, after signing for Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu.^{[citation needed]} After impressing everyone as a spoilt-brat in Panjaa, Adivi Sesh was recruited for a pivotal role in this film.^[7] Apparently, It was reported that Anjali is playing the role of a medical student in this film.^{[citation needed]} Ashutosh Rana, who previously worked with Ravi Teja for Venky, was recruited to play one of the antagonists.^[3] Brahmaji was also recruited to play a vital role in the film.^{[citation needed]} Meanwhile, Brahmanandam's character name was revealed to be "Crazy Mohan" and his role was said to be one of the biggest assets of the film.^[8] In May, it was reported that Lakshmi Rai would make a special appearance in the film.^{[citation needed]} In June, it was reported that prominent Telugu comedian Ali would essay the role of Dr. Savitri, a male/female doctor, which was said to be one of the highlights of the film.^[9]

Filming

The film shooting started on 13 November 2012 and had a silent shoot and in December, the film has completed its first schedule in which the scenes between Ravi Teja, Bramhanandam and Sruthi Hassan were shot.^{[citation needed]} In the end of December, it was reported that shooting is currently progressing near Simhachalam and it was reported that the film is reportedly set in the backdrop of Vizag and some important scenes are being shot right now on Ravi Teja and Anjali.^{[citation needed]} Later, it was told that the film has completed about 50% of the shoot and the work is going on at a good pace.^{[citation needed]}

The next schedule started in Hyderabad in January 2013 where scenes featuring Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan were shot, which was confirmed by the actress on Twitter.^{[citation needed]} The film's shooting was put on hold temporarily due to Gopichand Malineni's wedding and after a brief gap, the film's next schedule began in the end of February at Hyderabad, where some important scenes were canned between Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan.^{[citation needed]} In March, the song "Patikella Chinnadi" was shot on Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan in Ramoji Film City and sources reported that Shruti Haasan will be seen in glamorous attire in that song.^[10] After the song's completion, the unit had its shoot at Appa Junction in Hyderabad for some crucial scenes at a very fast pace.^{[citation needed]} After the completion of the major schedules, The film unit proceeded for the shooting of the remaining songs.^[11] Later it was known that few songs would be canned in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.^{[citation needed]} After a shoot of ten days in Lisbon, the unit moved to Algarve, a region in the southern part of Portugal, to shoot a couple of songs on Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan.^{[citation needed]} After completing 2 songs under the choreography of Raju Sundaram, The unit returned from Portugal nearly on 20 April 2013.^[12]

The final schedule began at Hyderabad in the month of May.^{[citation needed]} On 18 May, Some scenes were canned at Lingampally railway station in Hyderabad.^[13] After completion of the schedule nearly on 18 May, the unit proceeded to Bangkok for canning some crucial scenes.^{[citation needed]} After completing a long schedule in Bangkok, the unit resumed its shooting in Nanakramguda, where some crucial scenes on Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan were shot.^{[citation needed]} The film unit then canned the song "Lucky Lucky Rai" on Ravi Teja and Lakshmi Rai at Bangkok. It was informed that Sekhar master is choreographing that song and shooting will go on till 15 June, with which the shooting of the film will be complete.^{[citation needed]} Finally, shooting came to an end on 15 June.

Reception

The audio got a positive response. APHerald.com gave a review stating "Over all Balupu audio sounded as a mix of a new and old track from Thaman’s previous movies."^[15] Telugucinema.com gave a review stating "All in all, Balupu is different in Thaman's repertoire and has songs that are easy to like. Thaman has come up with songs that would help the film. Has mass numbers as well as a melody number. The right mix of songs. Best album in Ravi Teja's career in the recent times."^[16]

Marketing

It was reported in the first week of January that the first look posters and stills would be released on 26 January 2013, thus coinciding with Ravi Teja's birthday,^[19] but the logo and teaser of Balupu were launched at a function organized in Marigold Hotel at Greenlands, Hyderabad on 25 January 2013. Ravi Teja launched the teaser, while PVP's executive director Rajeev Kamineni launched the logo.^[14] The audio launch was held on 1 June 2013 at HICC Novotel in Hyderabad. It was organised by Shreyas Media, a popular event organizing company. The cost of organizing was ₹ 3.5 million, which was well-received, both in terms of TRP's and public response, making it one of the successful events organized by them. For the first time ever, Ravi Teja and Shruti Hassan performed live on stage along with S. Thaman, which elevated the event to Bollywood and Hollywood standards.^[20] The theatrical trailer, which was released on the same day generated an unusually positive response from the public.^{[citation needed]} From 18 June 2013, the character sketches of Ali,^[21] Srinivasa Reddy, Satyam Rajesh, Pradeep, Thagubothu Ramesh,^[22] Ashutosh Rana,^[23] Lakshmi Rai,^[24] Adivi Sesh,^[25] Anjali,^[26] Prakash Raj,^[27] Shruti Haasan,^[28] Brahmanandam,^[29] Ravi Teja^[30] were displayed at idlebrain.com, the official web partners of the film in images with a countdown till 28 June 2013 which was told as a unique promotion. Moreover, the posters of the film were decorated on 3 trains, covering all parts of Andhra Pradesh nearly on 26 June 2013, which was also a unique promotion activity.^{[citation needed]}

Pre-release revenues

Noted producer and distributor Dil Raju bought the Nizam area rights of the film for a reported fancy prize.^{[citation needed]} The overseas rights were secured by BlueSky for a fancy price.^{[citation needed]} Zee Telugu bought the satellite rights of the film.^[31] The Australian distribution rights of this film, along with Sahasam, were secured by Sai Manali and Lorgan Entertainment.^[32] The film had a great pre-release business in USA, with 33 centers in USA were closed within 48 to 72 hours of press note and remaining in final stages of closing, with all Non USA centers closed as on 21 June 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Controversy

On 20 June 2013 Mr. Dronamraju Ravikumar, representative of the A. P. Brahmana Seva Sangha Samakhya, alleged that the trailer of the film contained derogatory remarks against Brahmins. The representatives of Brahmin organizations demanded the removal of trailers from all TV channels, thus submitting a formal complaint to the Censor Board and the Film Chamber with an intention of necessary action by the Censor Board since the film was not censored by that time.^{[citation needed]} On the other hand, Gopichand Malineni stated that his intention was not to hurt anyone's feelings but just to conclude the controversy in a positive manner in this film and concluded saying that the Brahmin organizations are invited to watch the film before it gets censored.^[33] After showing the film to the irked community, the producer of the film sent a letter to Regional Censor Board Officer stating that he is going to delete the entire scene from the film to avoid controversies.^[34]

Reception

Jeevi of idlebrain.com gave a review of rating 3.25/5 stating "Ravi Teja whose previous hit was released in January 2011 didn't find success at the box office despite having seven films in a span of 2 and half years. Balupu will provide oxygen to his career. Balupu has all ingredients with a dominating portion of entertainment to become a decent hit. You can watch it."^[35] The Times of India gave a review stating "The first half of the film looks pretty entertaining with good comedy, emotions and interval bang. Kona Venkat's comic drama style coupled with Gopichand Malineni's well-shot action sequences hogged the limelight in the second half, where the story gets into the flash back. Powerful dialogues, emotions and nice comedy might engage the audience."^[36] APHerald gave a review of rating 2.25/5 stating "Balupu is not a complete action entertainer, but watchable once for Ravi Teja-Brahmi comedy."^[37]

Home media

The film was aired for the first time on 12 January 2014 as Sankranti special on Zee Telugu Channel which generated Huge TRP's for the channel.^[38]

India

The film had a good start at the domestic box office, collecting ₹38.9 million (US$460,000) on its first day.^{[citation needed]} The film collected a share of ₹93.1 million (US$1.1 million) in 3 days, with a collection of ₹26 million (US$300,000) on the second day and ₹28 million (US$330,000) on the third day in Andhra Pradesh.^[39] The film collected ₹ 4025,000 in 3 days in Tamil Nadu, which is the highest collection for a Ravi Teja film in Tamil Nadu till date, hence being declared a Super Hit at both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Box offices respectively, breaking Ravi Teja's previous records held by Kick, Don Seenu and Mirapakay.^{[citation needed]} The film continued its pace by collecting ₹150 million (US$1.8 million) at the end of the first week and with steady collections in the second week even after finding a stiff competition from Singam, the successful dubbed version of Suriya's Singam II.^[40] The film completed a successful 50 day run in 85 direct centers, collecting a gross of nearly ₹550 million (US$6.4 million) all over the state.^{[citation needed]}

Overseas

At the US box office, the film collected ₹05.6 million (US$66,000) in three days, entering the list of the top 20 grossers in the US at 18th position, minting more than Ghanchakkar, which was released on more screens and collected ₹03.1 million (US$36,000).^{[citation needed]} The film collected ₹17.6 million (US$210,000) in its first weekend, which was more than the closing businesses of his previous hits; Kick (with ₹11.9 million (US$140,000)), Don Seenu (with ₹12.6 million (US$150,000)) and Mirapakay (with ₹14.8 million (US$170,000)) respectively.^{[citation needed]} The film continued its pace in spite of heavy competition from other big releases by collecting ₹26 million (US$300,000) at the end of the second week, however failing to beat the record set by Baadshah, which collected ₹40 million (US$470,000) at that point of time, however subjected to the number of screens it was released.^{[citation needed]} The film collected a total of ₹26.9 million (US$310,000) at the end of its third week.^{[citation needed]}