Devudu Chesina Manushulu (2012 film)

Did You Know?

• The soundtrack was composed by Raghu Kunche and released on 22 June 2012 under the Sony Music label.
• The lyrics for all six songs were penned by Bhaskarabhatla.
• The audio launch was held at a private auditorium in Hyderabad.

Plot

Vishnu tries to calm Lakshmi, who is upset after Narada points out that Vishnu gave her no birthday gift on Akshaya Tritiya. To explain himself, Vishnu shows her a love story involving two orphans: Ravi Teja, a settlement broker based in Hyderabad, and Ileana, a taxi driver working in Bangkok. The story begins when Panileni Papayya eats a banana and tosses the peel onto the road. Lakshmi Devi uses that peel to cause a small problem, resulting in C.I. Subbaraju killing Sandy, a trusted goon of the absent-minded Don Prakash Raj in Bangkok. To resolve the conflict, Ravi Teja travels to Bangkok. At the airport, a taxi driver named Goli steals Ravi Teja's bag, which contains his passport. Ravi Teja chases Goli in Ileana's car but fails to catch him. Feeling sympathy because Ravi Teja is also an orphan, Ileana invites him to stay at her home. The next day, Ravi Teja finds Goli, a devoted follower of Lakshmi Devi, and through him meets Prakash Raj, settling the issue. Prakash Raj, who desires Ileana, demands that Ravi Teja send her to him for a night. Ravi Teja fights off Prakash Raj's men and rushes to Ileana, who has already fallen in love with him. They argue and separate. Displeased with this outcome, Lakshmi Devi travels back in time and makes Papayaya throw the banana peel into a dustbin instead of onto the road. This change alters the story: Sandy is caught red-handed by Subbaraju and sent to jail. Furious because Sandy knows all his secrets, Prakash Raj wants him released. Ravi Teja is hired to negotiate a deal between Subbaraju and Prakash Raj. Both men go to Bangkok. At the airport, Ravi Teja sees Ileana for the first time and falls in love, so he refuses to ride in Goli's taxi and chooses hers instead. Prakash Raj's men chase them, and during the pursuit, the taxi is destroyed. Ravi Teja promises to buy a new taxi once the deal is done and stays at Ileana's house because Subbaraju is injured. He flirts with Ileana, which angers her. They settle the problem for two crore. Prakash Raj sees his sister in Ileana and accepts her as a sibling. Ravi Teja proposes to Ileana, and she happily agrees.

Production

This film marked the fifth collaboration between actor Ravi Teja and director Puri Jagannadh, following Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Idiot, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi and Neninthe. Puri Jagannadh worked for the third time with Ileana D'Cruz after Pokiri and Nenu Naa Rakshasi. Ravi Teja worked with Ileana for the third time after Khatarnak and Kick, and with producer BVSN Prasad for the third time after Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu and Khatarnak. The film was initially planned as a sequel to the 2002 hit Idiot, but Puri Jagannadh dropped the idea. He named the film after the 1973 hit Devudu Chesina Manushulu starring N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna. The film was officially announced on 27 January 2012 and launched on 17 February 2012. The first look was released via Twitter. Filming began on 2 March 2012 in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. The major part was shot in a single schedule finished on 15 May 2012. On 30 May 2012, filming was completed and a July 2012 release was planned. Puri catered exactly 35 days for regular shooting at Annapurna Studios, 14 days for songs, and 10 days for action sequences, completing the film in two months.

Release

Released globally on August 14, 2012, Devudu Chesina Manushulu drew mixed to negative feedback from critics. Mahesh Koneru of 123telugu.com scored it 2.25/5, describing it as a disappointing film that fails to entertain. Shekhar from OneIndia Entertainment suggested it only for hardcore Ravi Teja fans, highlighting Puri Jagannath's punch dialogues and Ileana's glamour. Supergood Movies gave a 2.5/5, citing decent comedy but a weak script. Apherald rated it an average 3/5. The movie earned 5.5 crore on its opening day.