Bharatpedia

Bhola Shankar


Not to be confused with Bhole Shankar.

Bhola Shankar is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Meher Ramesh.[4] A remake of the 2015 Tamil film Vedalam, it stars Chiranjeevi as the titular character with Tamannaah Bhatia, Keerthy Suresh and Sushanth.[5][6]

Bhola Shankar
File:Bhola Shankar.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMeher Ramesh
Produced byAnil Sunkara
Ramabrahmam Sunkara
K. S. Rama Rao
Screenplay byMeher Ramesh
Dialogues by
  • Mamidala Thirupathi
Story bySiva
Adi Narayana
Based onVedalam (2015)
by Siva
StarringChiranjeevi
Tamannaah Bhatia
Keerthy Suresh
Sushanth
Music byMahati Swara Sagar
CinematographyDudley
Edited byMarthand K. Venkatesh
Production
company
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 11 August 2023 (2023-08-11)
Running time
160 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹100 crore[2]
Box office₹40 crore[3]

Bhola Shankar was released on 11 August 2023 and received negative reviews from both critics and audience.

PlotEdit

Shankar , a taxi driver, embarks on a journey from Hyderabad to Kolkata with his beloved sister Mahalakshmi (Maha), determined to secure her admission to an arts college. Their arrival in Kolkata introduces them to "Kolkata" Kaali, who becomes an unlikely friend and offers assistance. With Maha settled into college, Shankar joins Vamsi's cab company, leading him to cross paths with the fierce lawyer Lasya.

Lasya cunningly involves Shankar in a charade, where he poses as a mute eyewitness in a case. However, Shankar's unforeseen words expose the ruse, resulting in an embarrassing episode. Vamsi intervenes to shield Shankar from Lasya's wrath, setting the stage for an alliance between Lasya and Vamsi, with emotions tangled in a web of vengeance.

Beneath the surface, the stage is set for a twist when it's revealed that Maha and Srikar, have secretly fallen in love, entwining their fate with unexpected consequences.

Shankar and his fellow cab drivers are enlisted by DCP Yashpal to unearth the sinister workings of a notorious crime syndicate. Shankar stumbles upon a case of arms trafficking, drawing the ire of the ruthless Bretlee and his henchmen. An encounter ensues as Shankar single-handedly takes on Bretlee. Bretlee is revealed to be Shankar's long-lost brother, separated in their childhood due to a tragic misunderstanding.

Charles, Bretlee's brother, arrives to investigate the unfolding chaos, triggering a showdown as Shankar confronts Charles and his squad. Charles unveils his own tragic past, leading to an alliance between Shankar and Charles against a common enemy.

Lasya, in her pursuit of Shankar, witnesses the confrontation, leaving her torn between her duty and her growing affection for him. As the truth about Shankar's dual identity emerges, Lasya is faced with a moral dilemma that could alter the course of everyone's lives.

A series of flashback sequences peeks into Shankar and Mahalakshmi's earlier life as the notorious duo "Bholaa and Maha," feared enforcers of justice. Their paths had crossed with Mahalakshmi's parents, sparking a chain of events that would set them on a collision course with destiny.

In the present, Shankar's loyalty to his newfound family is tested as he races against time to protect Mahalakshmi from Alex, the cunning syndicate mastermind. A chase through Kolkata's labyrinthine streets culminates in a confrontation, where Shankar must unearth a shocking truth about Alex's connection to his past.

As the dust settles, and the threads of fate intertwine, Shankar and Mahalakshmi return to Hyderabad, their lives forever altered by a journey that unraveled long-buried secrets, rekindled lost bonds, and redefined the boundaries of love, loyalty, and redemption.

CastEdit

ProductionEdit

Initially, Sai Pallavi was approached for Chiranjeevi's sister role in the film but she rejected as she was not interested in remakes.[7] Keerthy Suresh was cast in her place.[8] Music director Mani Sharma's son Mahati Swara Sagar was signed onto this film as the composer.[9] Tamannaah Bhatia is cast opposite Chiranjeevi in their second collaboration after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019).[10] An official launch was held on 11 November 2021.[11] The shoot began on 15 November 2021.[12] In December 2021, the film completed its first schedule.[13] In May 2023, the film completed it's final schedule.[14]

MusicEdit

Bholaa Shankar
File:BholaaShankarAlbumCover.jpg
Soundtrack album by
Mahati Swara Sagar
Released2023 (2023)
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length18:12
LanguageTelugu
LabelAditya Music
External audio
  Bholaa Shankar(Official Audio Jukebox) at YouTube
Singles from Bhola Shankar
  1. "Bholaa Mania"
    Released: 4 June 2023
  2. "Jam Jam Jajjanaka"
    Released: 11 July 2023
  3. "Milky Beauty"
    Released: 21 July 2023
  4. "Rage of Bhola"
    Released: 5 August 2023
  5. "Kottara Kottu Teenumaaru"
    Released: 7 August 2023

The music is composed by Mahati Swara Sagar. Lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry, Sri Mani, and Kasarala Shyam. The first single titled "Bholaa Mania" was released on 4 June 2023.[15] The second single titled "Jam Jam Jajjanaka" was released on 11 July 2023.[16] The third single titled "Milky Beauty" was released on 21 July 2023.[17] The fourth single titled "Rage of Bhola" was released on 5 August 2023.[18] The fifth single titled "Kottara Kottu Teenumaaru" was released on 7 August 2023.[19]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Bholaa Mania"Ramajogayya SastryMahati Swara Sagar, L. V. Revanth3:55
2."Jam Jam Jajjanaka"Kasarla ShyamAnurag Kulkarni, Mangli3:23
3."Milky Beauty"Ramajogayya SastryVijay Prakash, Sanjana Kalmanje, Mahati Swara Sagar3:35
4."Rage of Bhola"Meher Ramesh, Feroz IsraelAsura, Feroz Israel3:00
5."Kottara Kottu Teenumaaru"Kasarla ShyamRahul Sipligunj3:35

ReleaseEdit

TheatricalEdit

Bhola Shankar was theatrically released on 11 August 2023.[20]

Home mediaEdit

The digital rights of the film were acquired by Netflix.[21]

ReceptionEdit

Bhola Shankar received negative reviews from critics.[22] Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Bholaa Shankar suffers because the shift between the various portions of the film is jarring, not to mention, the writing needed a deft hand. Not even Chiranjeevi and Keerthy are enough to save the day."[23] Janani K of India Today gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Bholaa Shankar is a remake that no one asked for or a remake that could have had a better adaptation. If only."[24] Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and termed the film as "hollow and distasteful homage to the mass legacy of Chiranjeevi".[25] Raisa Nasreen of Zoom TV gave the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "A remake of the Tamil film Vedalam, and directed by Meher Ramesh, Bhola Shankar has been altered to suit the sentiments of the Telugu audience."[26]

Box officeEdit

On its opening day, Bholaa Shankar collected around ₹20 crore (US$2.3 million) worldwide.[27]

ReferencesEdit

  1. ↑ "'Bholaa Shankar': Chiranjeevi's film locks run-time". Twitter. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Andhra Pradesh: Suspense continues over ticket price hike for Bhola Shankar". The Hans India. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Bhola Shankar box office collection Day 2: Chiranjeevi film's collection drops over 50 percent, makes Rs 23 crore in two days". The Indian Express. 13 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ "Director Meher Ramesh Gets a Whopping Remuneration For Chiranjeevi's Bhola Shankar". News18. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Megastar Chiranjeevi's First Look in Bhola Shankar on Mahashivaratri". Sakshi Post. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "'Vedalam' Telugu remake: Chiranjeevi-starrer to be shot in Kolkata?". Deccan Herald. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "Chiranjeevi reveals why he was happy when Sai Pallavi declined offer to star in Bhola Shankar". Zoom. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Keerthy Suresh to play Chiranjeevi's sister in Bhola Shankar. First look out on Raksha Bandhan". India Today. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "'Bhola Shankar' first single date locked; promo on 2nd June". The Hans India. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Tamannaah Bhatia and Chiranjeevi begin shooting for Bhola Shankar's next schedule in Kolkata". Bollywood Hungama. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  11. ↑ https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/chiranjeevi-tamannaah-bhatias-bholaa-shankar-launched-with-pooja-ceremony-see-pics/articleshow/87643295.cms
  12. ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/chiranjeevi-s-film-bhola-shankar-s-mahurat-on-nov-11-shoot-starts-on-nov-15-1869869-2021-10-27
  13. ↑ https://www.news18.com/news/movies/chiranjeevis-bhola-shankar-cast-crew-complete-1st-schedule-2nd-underway-see-pics-4536485.html
  14. ↑ https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/chiranjeevi-to-shoot-bhola-shankar-in-kolkata-deets-inside/articleshow/99951437.cms
  15. ↑ "Lyrical video of first song from Bhola Shankar out: Chiranjeevi exudes a stylish, powerful aura". The Indian Express. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Bholaa Shankar song Jam Jam Jajjanaka: Chiranjeevi dances with Keerthy Suresh, Tamannaah in the vibrant number". The Indian Express. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "Bholaa Shankar's new song Milky Beauty is a peppy duet shot in scenic locations". OTTPlay. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ↑ "AR Rahman Drops Mega Star Chiranjeevi's Rage of Bholaa".
  19. ↑ "Megastar Chiranjeevi's 'Bholaa Shankar' brings a festive vibe with 'Kottara Kottu Teenumaaru' song". The Times of India. 7 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "'Megastar Chiranjeevi's Bholaa Shankar Release Date Locked". Indian Paper Ink. 21 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "Official: Waltair Veerayya Seals OTT Partner". Mirchi9. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Bholaa Shankar Twitter Review: Chiranjeevi At The Peak Of His Prowess; Fans Screech 'Megastar Mania' Returns With Predictable Plotline". English Jagran. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  23. ↑ "Bhola Shankar Movie Review : An outdated mess that tests your patience". The Times of India.
  24. ↑ "Bholaa Shankar Review: Chiranjeevi's Vedalam remake is a film no one asked for". India Today.
  25. ↑ "Bhola Shankar Movie Review: An insufferable and dispirited star vehicle". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  26. ↑ "Bholaa Shankar Review: Chiranjeevi Film Is A Brother-Sister Tale With Drama, Action". Zoom TV.
  27. ↑ https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/story/jailer-vs-bhola-shankar-box-office-collection-rajinikanths-film-earns-over-rs-75-cr-chiranjeevi-starrer-collects-rs-20-cr-on-day-1-393903-2023-08-12

External linksEdit

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