Hanu Man

Crafted under the visionary direction of Prasanth Varma and produced by Niranjan Reddy Kandagatla through Primeshow Entertainment, Hanu Man heralded the initiation of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Teja Sajja took center stage, supported by a stellar cast including Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Raj Deepak Shetty, and Vinay Rai. The film seamlessly wove together elements of mythology and contemporary action, etching an enduring impression on the souls of its viewers.

Hanu Man Production: Weaving Divinity on a Modest Budget

From a modest budget to a big-screen extravaganza, the film’s production process has to go through many stages even before filming begins. Everything you need to know about the development and filming of Hanu Man.

Develop

The film’s genesis can be traced back to the success of Prasanth Varma’s previous directorial venture, Zombie Reddy. This paved the way for the publication of his fourth work on May 29, 2021, which coincided with his birthday. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Varma revealed that the film is inspired by the revered Hindu god Hanuman. To create an action movie 2024

The film’s finances came from Primeshow Entertainment, with a modest budget of ₹20 crores. However, during the teaser launch event in November 2022, Varma revealed that the production budget experienced a sixfold augmentation from its initial valuation. This underscores the grandiosity and ambition of the project and soon Hanu Man emerged as the inaugural installment of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU).

Filming

The filming for Hanuman officially commenced on June 25, 2021 which was marked by a ceremonial pooja and muhurtam shot in Hyderabad. By August 2021, 40% of the filming had gracefully unfolded, setting a spirited tempo for the undertaking. And venturing into the picturesque landscapes of Maredumilli and Paderu in Andhra Pradesh in September 2021, the crew immortalized action sequences and perfect melodies, to bring forth the visual tapestry. A substantial part of the filming was done in the sets at the Hanuman Studio in Vattinagulapally. The filmmaking expedition took the crew across Telangana, where Paderu and Maredumilli metamorphosed into the scenic palette for expansive visuals.

Hanu Man’s Harmonious Ensemble of Talent

The film brought forth a pool of excellent talents from across the industry. And from seasoned actors to musicians, talent has never been a shortage for the director.

Casting

The casting for Hanu Man unfolded as a meticulously orchestrated ensemble, weaving together seasoned virtuosos and rising talents. Teja Sajja, renowned for his collaborations with Varma in Adbhutham and other films, assumed the mantle of Hanumanthu with a portrayal adorned with long tresses and a bearded countenance. Thus, infusing a distinctive allure into the superhero persona. Amritha Aiyer, cast as Meenakshi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in a pivotal role, and Vinay Rai as the antagonist, injected the much needed depth into the dynamics of the characters. The supporting cast featured the likes of Vennela Kishore, Satya, Samuthirakani, Getup Srinu, Raj Deepak Shetty, Koushik Mahata, and Bhanu Prakash- talents that intricately enriched the film’s narrative.

Music

The soundtrack of Hanu Man was masterfully orchestrated by the trio of Anudeep Dev, GowraHari, and Krishna Saurabh. Tips Industries secured the audio rights and released a cascade of singles that served as the prelude to the film. From the ethereal resonance of Hanuman Chalisa released in April 2023, synchronizing with Hanuman Janmotsav, to the pulsating beats of  SuperHero HanuMan on Children’s Day, the music seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the film’s identity. The track Avakaya Anjaneya was launched on November 28, 2023, and Sri Ramadootha Stotram added the final cadence on January 3, 2024.

Trailer and Theatrical Release of Hanu Man

The trailer and teaser for the film had made quite the stir with those in the anticipation.

Trailer

The official teaser was unveiled on November 21, 2022. It brough forth ripples of anticipation from the audience and it finally crescendoed with the release of the official trailer on December 18, 2023, resonating across five languages. The trailer found its place alongside theatrical screenings of Captain Miller.

Release

Hanu Man graced theatres on January 12, 2024. The theatrical release spanned linguistic frontiers, with dubbed renditions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Plus, the teaser’s impact reverberated globally, with distributors from Japan and Korea expressing keen interest. The film’s digital rights reportedly found a home with OTT platforms in February 2022.

Hanu Man Collection

The landscape of the box office witnessed a seismic shift as Hanu Man amassed ₹15 crore on its inaugural day in India, laying the groundwork for a resplendent run. The Hindi iteration garnered ₹6.2 crore within a mere two days domestically which solidified the film’s resonance across linguistic divides. In a span of three days, the film garnered over ₹75 crore globally, with ₹46.5 crore emanating from the Indian audience alone. The fusion of critical acclaim and the audience’s ardour propelled the film past the ₹100 crore mark within four days. This earned it the spot for the second highest grossing Indian film of the year. The Hindi dubbed version also contributed a substantial ₹12.26 crore within its inaugural three days, further embellishing the film’s triumphant saga.

Hanu Man Critical Response: The Nexus of Mythology and Marvel

The synthesis of mythology, superhero nuances, and contemporary action resonated harmoniously. Both critics and audiences alike and major review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 83% positive score and an average rating of 5.5/10. Individual critiques illuminated the film’s sturdy narrative, captivating visuals, powerful performances, and the nuanced fusion of mythology with contemporary action.

Hanu Man – A Mythical Conquest

In a film industry saturated with sequels and adaptations, Hanu Man emerged as a breath of rarefied air, flawlessly intertwining mythology with the zeitgeist. Prasanth Varma’s visionary directorial finesse, coupled with Teja Sajja’s compelling portrayal has catapulted this cinematic marvel into the echelons of a Telugu magnum opus. With the inaugural chapter of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, the anticipation for forthcoming odysseys in this mythically charged cinematic realm attains an exhilarating zenith. Hanu Man not only stands as a testament to the imaginative prowess of its creators but also establishes a paradigm shift for Telugu cinema on the global stage.