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{{short description|2004 film by Gunasekhar}}
{{short description|2004 film by Gunasekhar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name       = Arjun  
| name           = Arjun
| image       = Arjun Poster.jpg
| image         = Arjun Poster.jpg
| caption     = Movie Poster
| caption       =  
| writer     = [[Gunasekhar]]
| writer         = '''Story''' & '''Screenplay''':<br/>Gunasekhar<br/>'''Dialogues''':<br/>[[Paruchuri Brothers]]
| starring   = [[Mahesh Babu]]<br>[[Shriya Saran]]<br>[[Keerthi Reddy]]<br>[[Raja Abel]]<br>[[Prakash Raj]]<br>[[Saritha]]
| starring       = [[Mahesh Babu]]<br/>[[Shriya Saran]]<br/>[[Keerthi Reddy]]<br/>[[Raja Abel|Raja]]<br/>[[Prakash Raj]]<br/>[[Saritha]]
| director   = [[Gunasekhar]]  
| director       = [[Gunasekhar]]
| producer   = [[Ramesh Babu|G. Ramesh Babu]]  
| producer       = [[Ramesh Babu|G. Ramesh Babu]]
| country     = India  
| country       = India
| cinematography = [[Sekhar V. Joseph]]
| cinematography = [[Sekhar V. Joseph]]
| editing     = A. Sreekar Prasad
| editing       = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| music       = [[Mani Sharma]]  
| music         = [[Mani Sharma]]
| released   = {{Film date|2004|08|20|df=y}}
| released       = {{Film date|2004|08|18|df=y}}
| runtime     = 174 minutes
| runtime       = 174 minutes
| language   = Telugu
| language       = Telugu
| budget     =  
| budget         = ₹20 crore<ref name="BSI" />
| gross      =  
}}
}}
'''''Arjun''''' is a 2004 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[action film|action]] [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Gunasekhar]] and produced by [[Ramesh Babu|G. Ramesh Babu]] . The film starred [[Mahesh Babu]] as the titular character along with [[Shriya Saran]], [[Keerthi Reddy]], [[Raja Abel]], [[Prakash Raj]], and [[Saritha]]. The music was composed by [[Mani Sharma]] with cinematography by [[Sekhar V. Joseph]] and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad. The film released on 20 April 2004 and was recorded as ''Above Average'' at box-office. It was later dubbed into Hindi as ''Maidan-E-Jung'' (2008) and in Tamil as ''Varenda Maduraikku''.
'''''Arjun''''' is a 2004 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[action drama film]] co-written and directed by [[Gunasekhar]] and produced by [[Ramesh Babu|G. Ramesh Babu]]. The film starred [[Mahesh Babu]] as the titular character along with [[Shriya Saran]], [[Keerthi Reddy]], [[Raja Abel|Raja]], [[Prakash Raj]], and [[Saritha]]. The music was composed by [[Mani Sharma]]. The film follows [[Twin|twin siblings]] Arjun and Meenakshi. When Meenakshi shares her plan to elope with her lover, Uday, Arjun successfully convinces Uday's parents to consent to the marriage. However, after the parents agree, they repeatedly attempt to murder Meenakshi to claim a family property, forcing Arjun to step in and save his sister's life.
 
The film was screened at the [[International Film Festival of India]] in the mainstream section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm36IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=36IIFA.pdf|title=Directorate of Film Festival|work=iffi.nic.in|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323225446/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm36IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=36IIFA.pdf|archive-date=23 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Mahesh Babu and Saritha received the [[Nandi Special Jury Award]] for this film.


The film featured a massive replica of the [[Meenakshi Temple|Madurai Meenakshi Temple]], designed by [[Thota Tharani]]. This set was one of the largest ever built in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]] and took six months to build at [[Padmalaya Studios]].<ref name="id" /> The film released on 18 August 2004 and was moderately successful at the box office, however was unable to recoup its expensive budget of ₹20 crore and stood as an average success overall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-25 |title=చిరంజీవికి పేరు లేని సినిమా ఏదో తెలుసా..? |url=https://www.ntnews.com/cinema/in-rakshasudu-movie-chiranjeevi-dont-have-name-322601 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=[[Namasthe Telangana]] |language=te |quote=ఉదాహరణకు అర్జున్ సినిమా తీసుకోండి. మహేశ్‌ బాబు హీరోగా నటించిన ఈ సినిమాను గుణశేఖర్ తెరకెక్కించాడు. 2005లో విడుదలైన ఈ సినిమాకు యావరేజ్ కలెక్షన్స్ వచ్చాయి.}}</ref><ref name="BSI">{{Cite news |date=2005-01-01 |title=When Tollywood tunes didn't mesmerise box-office |url=http://www.business-standard.com:80/article/Companies/When-Tollywood-tunes-didn-t-mesmerise-box-office-105010101062_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312105938/http://www.business-standard.com:80/article/Companies/When-Tollywood-tunes-didn-t-mesmerise-box-office-105010101062_1.html |archive-date=2013-03-12 |access-date=2022-07-18 |work=Business Standard |location=India |quote=This was followed by a slew of duds that included the Rs 12-crore Nani, the Rs 20-crore Arjun ....}}</ref> The film won three [[Nandi Awards]]. ''Arjun'' was Keerthi Reddy's final acting performance prior to her retirement from the film industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Directorate of Film Festival |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm36IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=36IIFA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323225446/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm36IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=36IIFA.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=iffi.nic.in}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Arjun ([[Mahesh Babu]]) and his twin sister Meenakshi ([[Keerthi Reddy]]) finish college, and their parents decide to look for a good man to marry Meenakshi. Meenakshi shows Arjun a letter from their friend Uday ([[Raja Abel]]), who confesses his love for her and asks her to elope with him as his parents Bala Nayagar ([[Prakash Raj]]) and Andal ([[Saritha]]) are arranging his marriage with a different girl. Meenakshi tells Arjun that she, too, is interested in Uday. Arjun goes to Madurai, where Uday lives with his parents and is about to get married. Arjun tells Uday's parents about the letter and asks for their consent for marriage. Uday dares to marry Meenakshi before their parents' approval comes. Uday's parents agree for Meenakshi as their daughter-in-law, though they have different plans in mind.
Arjun and his twin sister Meenakshi finish college, and their parents decide to look for a good man to marry Meenakshi. Meenakshi shows Arjun a letter from their friend Uday, who confesses his love for her and asks her to elope with him as his parents Bala Nayagar and Andal are arranging his marriage with a different girl. Meenakshi tells Arjun that she, too, is interested in Uday. Arjun goes to [[Madurai]], where Uday lives with his parents and is about to get married. Arjun tells Uday's parents about the letter and asks for their consent for marriage. Uday dares to marry Meenakshi before their parents' approval comes. Uday's parents agree for Meenakshi as their daughter-in-law, though they have different plans in mind.


Meanwhile, Arjun meets Roopa ([[Shriya Saran]]), who also happens to be from Madurai, and they fall for each other. In Meenakshi's house, Uday's parents plan to kill her as they had lost a chance to grab a millionaire's property by an arranged marriage. They make multiple attempts to kill Meenakshi, but she survives. Arjun comes to the conclusion that they are trying to kill his sister, but Uday and Meenakshi do not believe him. At last, Meenakshi believes him when they try to kill her while Uday was away. She escapes with Arjun and Roopa's help and gives birth to twins. In that fight, Bala dies, and Andal develops paralysis. Uday watches how they tried to kill Meenakshi and believes Arjun's version. They all reconcile and live peacefully.
Meanwhile, Arjun meets Roopa, who also happens to be from Madurai, and they fall for each other. In Meenakshi's house, Uday's parents plan to kill her as they had lost a chance to grab a millionaire's property by an arranged marriage. They make multiple attempts to kill Meenakshi, but she survives. Arjun comes to the conclusion that they are trying to kill his sister, but Uday and Meenakshi do not believe him. At last, Meenakshi believes him when they try to kill her while Uday was away. She escapes with Arjun and Roopa's help and gives birth to twins. In that fight, Bala dies, and Andal develops [[paralysis]]. Uday watches how they tried to kill Meenakshi and believes Arjun's version. They all reconcile and live peacefully.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
{{Cast listing|
* [[Mahesh Babu]] as Arjun
* [[Mahesh Babu]] as Arjun
* [[Keerthi Reddy]] as Meenakshi, Arjun's twin sister (voice dubbed by [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]])
* [[Shriya Saran]] as Roopa
* [[Shriya Saran]] as Roopa
* [[Keerthi Reddy]] as Meenakshi (voice dubbed by [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]])
* [[Raja Abel|Raja]] as Uday, Meenakshi's husband
* [[Raja Abel]] as Uday
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Bala Nayagar, Uday's father
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Bala Nayagar, Uday's father
* [[Saritha]] as Andal, Uday's mother
* [[Saritha]] as Andal, Uday's mother
Line 41: Line 39:
* [[Tanikella Bharani]] as Roopa's father
* [[Tanikella Bharani]] as Roopa's father
* [[Murali Mohan]] as Anand Rao, Arjun and Meenakshi's father
* [[Murali Mohan]] as Anand Rao, Arjun and Meenakshi's father
* [[M.S. Narayana]] as Invigilator
* [[Vennira Aadai Nirmala]] as Parvathamma, Arjun and Meenakshi's paternal aunt
* [[M. S. Narayana]] as invigilator
* [[Kalabhavan Mani]] as Doranna
* [[Kalabhavan Mani]] as Doranna
* [[Rajan P. Dev]] as Govindarajulu
* [[Rajan P. Dev]] as Govindarajulu
{{colend}}
* Master Ram Teja (Maanas Nagulapalli)
}}


== Crew ==
==Production==
* Director: [[Gunasekhar]] 
The film was produced by Mahesh's brother [[Ramesh Babu|Ramesh]]. This was Mahesh's last film released before he married [[Namrata Shirodkar]]. On the other hand, this was the first movie (and the last as of July 2008) of Keerthi Reddy after her marriage. The film was launched at Padmalaya Studios in Hyderabad on 18 July 2003, to which the whole unit of the film attended. The technical team, except for art and lyrics, were retained from Mahesh-Gunasekhar's previous film, ''[[Okkadu]]''. The filming had a single schedule which started from 18 July itself.<ref name=ar>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/muhurat-arjun.html|title=Muhurat of 'Arjun'|publisher=idlebrain.com|date=18 July 2003|accessdate=18 December 2013}}</ref> Mahesh played a role similar to the one he played in ''Okkadu'', while [[Shriya Saran]] was hired as the heroine opposite him. Keerthi Reddy played the role of Mahesh's sister and paired with [[Raja Abel|Raja]] in the film. [[Prakash Raj]] played the role of Bala Nayakar, the last heir of the Nayakar dynasty who were well known in the history of Madurai while [[Saritha]] made a comeback to Telugu cinema after 16 years in the role of Andal, the wife of Nayakar.<ref name=ar />
* Screenplay: [[Gunasekhar]]
* Story: [[Gunasekhar]]
* Dialogue: [[Paruchuri Brothers]]
* Producer: Ramesh Babu|G. Ramesh Babu
* Music: [[Mani Sharma]]
* Choreography: [[Raju Sundaram]] & [[Raghava Lawrence]]
* Editor: [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
* Director of Photography: [[Sekhar V. Joseph]]
* Lyrics: [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]
* Art Director: [[Thotta Tharani]]
* Stunts: [[Vijayan (fight master)|Vijayan]]


==Production==
The main attraction of the film was the colossal set of [[Meenakshi Amman Temple|Madurai Meenakshi Temple]] created by art director [[Thota Tharani]]. Its details were revealed on 29 September 2003 by the production unit via a press meet. Thota Tharani, along with the director and his team, stayed in Madurai Meenakshi Temple for 15 days. He drew his sketches to the minute details and replicated them in Hyderabad. The initial estimate of the Temple set cost was {{INR}} 2.5 crores which were supposed to be built in three months. But, it took six months with over 500 workers constructing the set. The total cost of this set turned out to be {{INR}} 4 crores. This set was constructed in a 5-acre space of Padmalaya Studios near Gandipet. This set consist of Gaali Gopuram, Pond and Garbhagudi. The set had a lifetime of 3 years with resistance to all types of climatic conditions. Thota Tharani used 90 tons of iron in the construction of this temple set for longevity. 90 tons of iron itself cost around 42 lakhs. The pond in the temple has a depth of 3 feet. It took five days of continuous filling using five motors to fill the water. The Gaali Gopuram is of 130 feet, which is equivalent to the original Gaali Gopuram at Madurai temple. A set of temple priests from Madurai came to this set and installed a replica idol of Meenakshi Amman in the Garbhagudi. This traditional installation took 8 hours (from 6 am to 2 pm). Gunasekhar used 25 powerful generation sets for a song to be shot in the temple in night effect.<ref name=id />
The film was produced by Mahesh's brother [[Ramesh Babu|Ramesh]]. This was Mahesh's last film released before he married Namratha Shirodhkar. On the other hand, this was the first movie (and the last as of July 2008) for Keerthi Reddy after her marriage. The film was launched at Padmalaya Studios in Hyderabad on 18 July 2003, to which the whole unit of the film attended. The Technical team, except for Art and Lyrics, were retained from Mahesh-Gunasekhar's previous film, ''[[Okkadu]]''. The Filming had a single schedule which started from 18 July itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/muhurat-arjun.html|title=Muhurat of 'Arjun'|publisher=idlebrain.com|date=18 July 2003|accessdate=18 December 2013}}</ref> Mahesh played a role similar to the one he played in ''Okkadu'', while [[Shriya Saran]] was hired as the heroine opposite him. Keerthi Reddy played the role of Mahesh's sister and paired with [[Raja Abel|Raja]] in the film. [[Prakash Raj]] played the role of Bala Nayakar, the last heir of the Nayakar dynasty who were well known in the History of Madurai while [[Saritha]] made a comeback to Telugu cinema after 16 years in the role of Andal, the wife of Nayakar. In an interview, Saritha told that she felt that Mahesh Babu is cool and very friendly while she took it as a challenge to act with Prakash Raj.


The main attraction of the film was the colossal set of [[Meenakshi Amman Temple|Madurai Meenakshi Temple]]  created by art director [[Padma Sri]] [[Thotta Tharani]]. Its details were revealed on 29 September 2003 by the production unit via a press meet. Thotta Tharani, along with the director and his team, stayed in Madurai Meenakshi Temple for 15 days. He drew his sketches to the minute details and replicated them in Hyderabad. The initial estimate of the Temple set cost was {{INR}}2.5 crores which were supposed to be built in three months. But, it took six months with over 500 workers constructing the set. The total cost of this set turned out to be {{INR}}4 crores. This set was constructed in a 5-acre space of Padmalaya Studios near Gandipet. This set consist of Gaali Gopuram, Pond and Garbhagudi. The set had a lifetime of 3 years with resistance to all types of climatic conditions. Thotta Tharani used 90 tons of iron in the construction of this temple set for longevity. 90 tons of iron itself cost around 42 lakhs. The pond in the temple has a depth of 3 feet. It took five days of continuous filling using five motors to fill the water. The Gaali Gopuram is of 130 feet, which is equivalent to the original Gaali Gopuram at Madurai temple. A set of temple priests from Madurai came to this set and installed a replica idol of Meenakshi Amman in the Garbhagudi. This traditional installation took 8 hours (from 6 am to 2 pm). Gunasekhar used 25 powerful generation sets for a song to be shot in the temple in night effect.
Another set for the exterior of Prakash Raj character's house and the streets of Madurai were also created at Padmalaya studios of Gandipet. The shooting happened at Padmalaya Studios in these sets for 60 Days which was equivalent to 40% of the film's shoot. The song "Madhura Madhuratara" was shot in day effect while "Dum Dumaare" was shot in night effect at Madurai Temple set.<ref name=id>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/showcase/arjun.html|title=Arjun's Madura Meenakhi Temple set|publisher=idlebrain.com|date=29 September 2003|accessdate=18 December 2013}}</ref>


Another set for the exterior of Prakash Raj's house and the streets of Madurai were also created at Padmalaya studios of Gandipet. The shooting happened at Padmalaya Studios in these sets for 60 Days which was equivalent to 40% of the film's shoot. The song Madura Madura was shot in Day effect while Dum Dumaare was shot in Night Effect at Madurai Temple set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/showcase/arjun.html|title=Arjun's Madura Meenakhi Temple set|publisher=idlebrain.com|date=29 September 2003|accessdate=18 December 2013}}</ref>
One song sequence with Mahesh and Shriya was shot in [[St. Petersburg]] in [[Russia]], and another was shot in the [[Issyk-Kul]] lake region, [[Tian Shan]] mountains, and [[Ala Archa National Park]] of [[Kyrgyzstan]].


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name       = Arjun
| name         = Arjun
| type       = Soundtrack
| type         = Soundtrack
| longtype   = To Arjun
| longtype     =  
| artist     = [[Mani Sharma]]
| artist       = [[Mani Sharma]]
| cover     =
| cover       =  
| caption   =
| caption     =  
| alt       =
| alt         =  
| released   = 22 July 2004
| released     = 22 July 2004
| recorded   = 2004
| recorded     = 2004
| venue     =
| venue       =  
| studio     =
| studio       =  
| genre     = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| genre       = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length     =
| length       =  
| language   = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| language     = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| label     = [[Aditya Music]]
| label       = [[Aditya Music]]
| producer   = [[Mani Sharma]]
| producer     = [[Mani Sharma]]
| prev_title = [[Yagnam (2004 film)|Yagnam]]
| prev_title   = [[Yagnam (2004 film)|Yagnam]]
| prev_year = 2004
| prev_year   = 2004
| next_title = [[Gudumba Shankar]]
| next_title   = [[Gudumba Shankar]]
| next_year  = 2004
| next_year   = 2004
}}
 
This film consists of six songs. The audio was launched at a floor of Padmalaya Studios on 22 July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-arjun.html|title=Audio function - Arjun|date=22 July 2004|access-date=24 September 2025|website=Idlebrain}}</ref>
 
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_lyrics    = [[Veturi]]
| all_music    = [[Mani Sharma]]
| title1        = Okka Maata
| length1      = 05:41
| extra1        = [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| title2        = Oh Cheli Nee Oyyarale
| length2      = 05:13
| extra2        = [[K. S. Chithra]], [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| title3        = Madhura Madhuratara
| length3      = 05:34
| extra3        = [[P. Unnikrishnan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
| title4        = Ra Ra Rajakumara
| length4      = 05:34
| extra4        = [[Udit Narayan]], [[Swarnalatha]]
| title5        = Aey Pilla
| length5      = 04:50
| extra5        = [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[S. P. Charan]]
| title6        = Dum Dumare
| length6      = 06:14
| extra6        = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], K. S. Chithra
}}
}}


This film consists of 6 songs, all composed by Mani Sharma: All the Songs were written By [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy|Veturi]].
==Reception==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:42%;"
Jeevi of ''[[Idlebrain.com]]'' wrote "The movie starts with a terrific frame of Mahesh narrating his story. First half of the film is fair. There is no bang/twist for the interval. The graph goes down in second half. Action sequences dominated the sentiment feel in the climax of the film, which made the climax unimpressive".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-arjun.html|last=Jeevi|access-date=24 September 2025|title=Movie review: Arjun|website=Idlebrain}}</ref> ''Telugu Cinema'' wrote "Technical wizardry, Mahesh's performance, Mani Sarma's music, Thota-Tarani's art, and Sekhar's camera are the highlights of the film. The film is a rehash of [[Puttintiki Ra Chelli]]! starring Arjun, Meena & Swathi, and is filled with predictable stuff".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/movies/arjun_movie.shtml|date=18 August 2004|first=Sharat|last=Chandra|access-date=24 September 2025|website=Telugu Cinema|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820050237/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/movies/arjun_movie.shtml|archive-date=20 August 2004|title=Arjun - Movie Review}}</ref>
|-
! Song !! Singers
|-
| "Okka Maata" || ''[[Shankar Mahadevan]]''
|-
| "Oh Cheli" ||''[[K. S. Chithra]]'', [[Karthik (singer)|''Karthik'']]
|-
| "Madura Madura" || ''[[P. Unnikrishnan]]'', [[Harini (singer)|''Harini'']]
|-
| "Ra Ra Rajakumara" ||''[[Udit Narayan]]'', ''[[Swarnalatha]]''
|-
| "Aey Pilla" || ''[[Shreya Ghoshal]]'', [[S. P. B. Charan|''SPB Charan'']]
|-
| "Dum Dumare" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam|''SPB'']], ''[[K. S. Chithra]]''
|}


==Awards==
==Awards==
* '''[[52nd Filmfare Awards South]]'''
;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
** [[Keerthi Reddy]] won [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu|Best Supporting Actress]]
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu]] - [[Keerthi Reddy]] {{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
* Screened on [[35th International Film Festival of India]]
 
;[[Nandi Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
*[[Nandi Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]] – [[Thota Tharani]]
*[[Nandi Special Jury Award|Special Jury Awards]] – [[Mahesh Babu]], [[Saritha]]


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Arjun (Film)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arjun (Film)}}
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2000s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:2004 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:2000s masala films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gunasekhar]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gunasekhar]]
[[Category:Films set in Madurai]]
[[Category:Films set in Madurai]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mani Sharma]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mani Sharma]]
[[Category:2004 action drama films]]
[[Category:2004 action drama films]]

Latest revision as of 22:56, 10 March 2026


Arjun
Directed byGunasekhar
Produced byG. Ramesh Babu
Written byStory & Screenplay:
Gunasekhar
Dialogues:
Paruchuri Brothers
StarringMahesh Babu
Shriya Saran
Keerthi Reddy
Raja
Prakash Raj
Saritha
Music byMani Sharma
CinematographySekhar V. Joseph
Edited byA. Sreekar Prasad
Release date
  • 18 August 2004 (2004-08-18)
Running time
174 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹20 crore[1]

Arjun is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language action drama film co-written and directed by Gunasekhar and produced by G. Ramesh Babu. The film starred Mahesh Babu as the titular character along with Shriya Saran, Keerthi Reddy, Raja, Prakash Raj, and Saritha. The music was composed by Mani Sharma. The film follows twin siblings Arjun and Meenakshi. When Meenakshi shares her plan to elope with her lover, Uday, Arjun successfully convinces Uday's parents to consent to the marriage. However, after the parents agree, they repeatedly attempt to murder Meenakshi to claim a family property, forcing Arjun to step in and save his sister's life.

The film featured a massive replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, designed by Thota Tharani. This set was one of the largest ever built in Indian cinema and took six months to build at Padmalaya Studios.[2] The film released on 18 August 2004 and was moderately successful at the box office, however was unable to recoup its expensive budget of ₹20 crore and stood as an average success overall.[3][1] The film won three Nandi Awards. Arjun was Keerthi Reddy's final acting performance prior to her retirement from the film industry.[4]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Arjun and his twin sister Meenakshi finish college, and their parents decide to look for a good man to marry Meenakshi. Meenakshi shows Arjun a letter from their friend Uday, who confesses his love for her and asks her to elope with him as his parents Bala Nayagar and Andal are arranging his marriage with a different girl. Meenakshi tells Arjun that she, too, is interested in Uday. Arjun goes to Madurai, where Uday lives with his parents and is about to get married. Arjun tells Uday's parents about the letter and asks for their consent for marriage. Uday dares to marry Meenakshi before their parents' approval comes. Uday's parents agree for Meenakshi as their daughter-in-law, though they have different plans in mind.

Meanwhile, Arjun meets Roopa, who also happens to be from Madurai, and they fall for each other. In Meenakshi's house, Uday's parents plan to kill her as they had lost a chance to grab a millionaire's property by an arranged marriage. They make multiple attempts to kill Meenakshi, but she survives. Arjun comes to the conclusion that they are trying to kill his sister, but Uday and Meenakshi do not believe him. At last, Meenakshi believes him when they try to kill her while Uday was away. She escapes with Arjun and Roopa's help and gives birth to twins. In that fight, Bala dies, and Andal develops paralysis. Uday watches how they tried to kill Meenakshi and believes Arjun's version. They all reconcile and live peacefully.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

The film was produced by Mahesh's brother Ramesh. This was Mahesh's last film released before he married Namrata Shirodkar. On the other hand, this was the first movie (and the last as of July 2008) of Keerthi Reddy after her marriage. The film was launched at Padmalaya Studios in Hyderabad on 18 July 2003, to which the whole unit of the film attended. The technical team, except for art and lyrics, were retained from Mahesh-Gunasekhar's previous film, Okkadu. The filming had a single schedule which started from 18 July itself.[5] Mahesh played a role similar to the one he played in Okkadu, while Shriya Saran was hired as the heroine opposite him. Keerthi Reddy played the role of Mahesh's sister and paired with Raja in the film. Prakash Raj played the role of Bala Nayakar, the last heir of the Nayakar dynasty who were well known in the history of Madurai while Saritha made a comeback to Telugu cinema after 16 years in the role of Andal, the wife of Nayakar.[5]

The main attraction of the film was the colossal set of Madurai Meenakshi Temple created by art director Thota Tharani. Its details were revealed on 29 September 2003 by the production unit via a press meet. Thota Tharani, along with the director and his team, stayed in Madurai Meenakshi Temple for 15 days. He drew his sketches to the minute details and replicated them in Hyderabad. The initial estimate of the Temple set cost was ₹ 2.5 crores which were supposed to be built in three months. But, it took six months with over 500 workers constructing the set. The total cost of this set turned out to be ₹ 4 crores. This set was constructed in a 5-acre space of Padmalaya Studios near Gandipet. This set consist of Gaali Gopuram, Pond and Garbhagudi. The set had a lifetime of 3 years with resistance to all types of climatic conditions. Thota Tharani used 90 tons of iron in the construction of this temple set for longevity. 90 tons of iron itself cost around 42 lakhs. The pond in the temple has a depth of 3 feet. It took five days of continuous filling using five motors to fill the water. The Gaali Gopuram is of 130 feet, which is equivalent to the original Gaali Gopuram at Madurai temple. A set of temple priests from Madurai came to this set and installed a replica idol of Meenakshi Amman in the Garbhagudi. This traditional installation took 8 hours (from 6 am to 2 pm). Gunasekhar used 25 powerful generation sets for a song to be shot in the temple in night effect.[2]

Another set for the exterior of Prakash Raj character's house and the streets of Madurai were also created at Padmalaya studios of Gandipet. The shooting happened at Padmalaya Studios in these sets for 60 Days which was equivalent to 40% of the film's shoot. The song "Madhura Madhuratara" was shot in day effect while "Dum Dumaare" was shot in night effect at Madurai Temple set.[2]

One song sequence with Mahesh and Shriya was shot in St. Petersburg in Russia, and another was shot in the Issyk-Kul lake region, Tian Shan mountains, and Ala Archa National Park of Kyrgyzstan.

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Arjun
Soundtrack album by
Mani Sharma
Released22 July 2004
Recorded2004
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageTelugu
LabelAditya Music
ProducerMani Sharma
Mani Sharma chronology
Yagnam
(2004) 		Arjun
(2004) 		Gudumba Shankar
(2004)

This film consists of six songs. The audio was launched at a floor of Padmalaya Studios on 22 July 2004.[6]

All lyrics are written by Veturi; all music is composed by Mani Sharma.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Okka Maata"Shankar Mahadevan05:41
2."Oh Cheli Nee Oyyarale"K. S. Chithra, Karthik05:13
3."Madhura Madhuratara"P. Unnikrishnan, Harini05:34
4."Ra Ra Rajakumara"Udit Narayan, Swarnalatha05:34
5."Aey Pilla"Shreya Ghoshal, S. P. Charan04:50
6."Dum Dumare"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra06:14

Reception[edit | edit source]

Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote "The movie starts with a terrific frame of Mahesh narrating his story. First half of the film is fair. There is no bang/twist for the interval. The graph goes down in second half. Action sequences dominated the sentiment feel in the climax of the film, which made the climax unimpressive".[7] Telugu Cinema wrote "Technical wizardry, Mahesh's performance, Mani Sarma's music, Thota-Tarani's art, and Sekhar's camera are the highlights of the film. The film is a rehash of Puttintiki Ra Chelli! starring Arjun, Meena & Swathi, and is filled with predictable stuff".[8]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Filmfare Awards South
Nandi Awards[9]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "When Tollywood tunes didn't mesmerise box-office". Business Standard. India. 1 January 2005. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2022. This was followed by a slew of duds that included the Rs 12-crore Nani, the Rs 20-crore Arjun ....
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Arjun's Madura Meenakhi Temple set". idlebrain.com. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "చిరంజీవికి పేరు లేని సినిమా ఏదో తెలుసా..?". Namasthe Telangana (in తెలుగు). 25 November 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2024. ఉదాహరణకు అర్జున్ సినిమా తీసుకోండి. మహేశ్‌ బాబు హీరోగా నటించిన ఈ సినిమాను గుణశేఖర్ తెరకెక్కించాడు. 2005లో విడుదలైన ఈ సినిమాకు యావరేజ్ కలెక్షన్స్ వచ్చాయి.
  4. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Muhurat of 'Arjun'". idlebrain.com. 18 July 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Audio function - Arjun". Idlebrain. 22 July 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Jeevi. "Movie review: Arjun". Idlebrain. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Chandra, Sharat (18 August 2004). "Arjun - Movie Review". Telugu Cinema. Archived from the original on 20 August 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)

External links[edit | edit source]

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