Prashanth Varma's latest film, "HanuMan," is making waves in the Indian cinematic landscape. Based on the revered figure of Shri Hanuman, a central character in Hindu mythology and an ardent devotee of Shri Ram, this movie has quickly turned into a blockbuster. It uniquely introduces its audience to India's very own cinematic universe. The film portrays Hanuman ji's divine characteristics as superpowers, making him a modern-day superhero – HanuMan.

The movie has garnered significant attention for its exceptional visual effects (VFX) quality, which is notable given its moderate budget of Rs 30 crores, inclusive of print and advertising costs. Film Trade Analyst Sumit Kadel noted that the actual production cost of the film was around Rs 12 crores, a relatively modest amount for a film that delivers such high visual quality.

In a remarkable move, the makers of "HanuMan" announced that for every ticket sold, Rs 5 would be donated to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This initiative has likely resonated well with the audience, adding a charitable dimension to the movie-going experience.

Social media is abuzz with videos showcasing enthusiastic fans celebrating inside theatres. These videos display audiences chanting loudly, evidently thrilled by the superhero depiction of Shri Hanuman ji. The excitement is palpable, with fans immersing themselves in the film's spiritual and cultural themes.

One video, in particular, captured a theatre resounding with chants of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Ram Lakshman Janki, Jai Bolo Hanuman Ki," illustrating the deep emotional and cultural connection viewers have with the film's content. Some netizens report that due to the film's popularity, additional theatres have begun screening "HanuMan."

"HanuMan," starring Teja Sajja in the titular role, made its debut alongside Mahesh Babu's star-studded "Guntur Kaaram." Despite the latter's hefty budget, "HanuMan" has seized the spotlight, with its release timing ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony contributing significantly to its unexpectedly large opening. The strategic timing of the release appears to have resonated with the audience, driving up the film's popularity.

The film news website Koimoi has praised "HanuMan" as "an answer to Hollywood and Marvel’s Superhero Fatigue," suggesting that it offers a fresh perspective in the superhero genre. As of January 11th, "HanuMan" has reportedly collected a substantial Rs 4.5 crores worldwide in advance bookings alone, showcasing its widespread appeal.

A detailed breakdown of these earnings shows that all-India advance bookings as of January 11th amounted to Rs 2.5 crores for paid previews. In Hyderabad, the movie managed to rake in Rs 1 crore, with an additional Rs 90 lakhs from paid premieres. The movie's success isn't confined to one region; in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, "HanuMan" has collected Rs 2 crore in advance bookings, and in Karnataka, it has garnered Rs 0.4 crores, including Rs 20 lakhs in Bangalore alone.

The movie's overall performance is formidable, with expectations of a worldwide collection ranging between Rs 10 to 15 crores. Adding to its accolades, Box Office on X, previously known as Twitter, has rated the movie 4 out of 5 stars. Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh has praised the paid premieres as a "massive success" and lauded the "exceptional response" the film has received.

Further testament to the film's growing popularity is an incident reported by Daily Culture, another movie review page. It mentioned that a cutout of the "HanuMan" movie poster, which was reportedly left fallen on the road two days prior, has now been proudly erected in a theatre in Warangal, Telangana.

Harshath RVS, the distribution head of Sakthi Film Fctry, confirmed that due to the overwhelming demand, extra shows have been added in Telugu, and more screens have been allotted in Tamil Nadu. He too echoed the sentiment of the movie being a blockbuster hit.

Hanuman Movie Review

The much-anticipated film "Hanu-Man," starring Teja Sajja, Amrita Iyer, and others, and directed by Prashanth Verma, released on January 12, 2024, has caught everyone's attention in the Sankranthi lineup. Despite its modest budget, "Hanu-Man" shines with its strong content, standing toe-to-toe with larger films. The question on everyone's mind: does "Hanu-Man" live up to its expectations and how does this new superhero adventure fare among audiences?

The story revolves around Michael (played by Vinay Roy), a resident of Saurashtra, who harbors a deep desire to become a superhero since childhood. He even blames his parents for hindering his dreams. Persistent in his goal, Michael conducts various experiments to gain superpowers, but all his efforts seem to fail. His journey leads him on a quest for superpowers.

The narrative then shifts to Anjanadri. In this remote village, tormented by the cruelty of Palegadu Gajapathi (Deepak Shetty), residents suffer under his rule. Gajapathi, known for overpowering his opponents in wrestling matches, represents the film's central antagonist. Enter Hanuman (Teja Sajja), a local who engages in petty thefts. Raised by his elder sister Anjamme (Varalakshmi) due to the absence of their parents, Hanuman leads a challenging life.

Meenakshi (Amrita Iyer), Hanuman's love interest, finds herself in opposition to Gajapathi, leading to an attack by his bandit gang. In an attempt to save Meenakshi, Hanuman is severely injured and thrown into water, where he discovers Rudhiramani, a mystical gem formed from Anjaneyaswamy's blood drop. This discovery marks a turning point in Hanuman's life, bestowing upon him the powers of Anjaneya and transforming him into Hanuman.

The story unfolds as Hanuman embarks on adventures with his newfound powers. The plot thickens with Michael's attempts to seize Rudhiramani from Hanuman and Hanuman's efforts to rid Anjanadri of Gajapathi's menace. Aiding him in this journey is Vibhishana (Samudrakhani). The movie promises a mix of action, emotion, and intrigue, compelling audiences to watch and discover the twists and turns in Hanuman's heroic saga.

A Superhero Saga with a Twist

"Hanu-Man" navigates the familiar superhero story arc – an ordinary person gains unique powers, faces off against a villain endangering lives, and ultimately becomes a savior. While the narrative of "Hanu-Man" aligns with this classic superhero blueprint, it stands out by weaving in elements of Indian mythology and presenting them with a captivating screen nativity.

Director Prashant Varma skillfully introduces the audience to the story through title cards, setting the stage with the tale of Rudhiramani, a pivotal element in the plot. The movie kicks off intriguingly with a childhood episode of the antagonist, Michael, who strives to become a superhero, believing his parents to be obstructive. His initial acts, such as thwarting a rowdy gang in a bank heist, are notably impressive. The depiction of Anjanadri town is visually stunning, providing a feast for the eyes.

However, the story experiences a slight lull post-introduction. The hero's initial scenes and his love story with Meenakshi lack depth and emotional connection. Momentum picks up as the narrative shifts to the town's collective resistance against Gajendra, who unleashes his bandit gang on Meenakshi. The plot takes a dramatic turn when the hero, after being beaten and thrown into a river, discovers Rudhiramani. From this point, the story accelerates, with Hanuman harnessing his newfound powers in a fast-paced sequence of events.

A particularly thrilling moment occurs before the intermission, where Hanuman engages in a wrestling match with Palegadu Gajendra, delivering an adrenaline rush to the audience. In the second half, the focus shifts to Michael, who becomes more integral to the story set in Anjanadri.

The latter half of "Hanu-Man" centers around Michael's pursuit of Rudhiramani and the consequent peril he brings to Anjanadri. Hanuman's efforts to protect the village and its inhabitants from this threat form the crux of the narrative. A highlight is Hanuman's foray into Michael's base, leading to an action-packed episode. The climax, spanning the last 20 minutes, is gripping and prevents the audience from looking away. The scenes set in the Himalayas, where Hanuman departs for the welfare of the world, are poignant and evocative.

The film concludes with a thought-provoking question about Hanuman's promise to Rama, hinting at a potential sequel. This ending not only adds depth to the narrative but also leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the next installment of the saga.

Who Did It: A Closer Look at 'Hanu-Man'

In "Hanu-Man," Teja Sajja's depiction of Hanuman as an ordinary boy is notably pleasing, and his transition to a superhero with superpowers is equally entertaining. Teja delivers a balanced performance in both action and emotional scenes, remaining within the character's scope. Amritha Aiyer, portraying the village girl Meenakshi, radiates beauty and charm on screen, playing a crucial role in the story. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's character brings a surprising twist in the second half, engaging the audience with an unexpected turn.

Vinay Rai leaves a strong impression as a stylish villain, bringing a sense of sleek menace to the film. Samudrakhani, in his role as Vibhishana, adds a special allure to the story, enriching the mythological aspect. Characters portrayed by Getup Srinu, Satya, Vennela Kishore, and Rakesh Master add comic relief, ensuring the audience enjoys a few laughs.

Director Prasanth Varma's approach of weaving superhero tales with legends is commendable. Although the story starts a bit slow, and some characters are elaborated in excessive detail, leading to potential viewer boredom, Varma has successfully delivered a quality film. His handling of the limited budget to produce good graphics is impressive, making the movie enjoyable for both children and adults.

Three music directors collaborate to provide a compelling background score, each showcasing their unique talents. The cinematography by Dasharathi Shivendra stands out as another highlight of the film. The production values are solid, contributing to a visually appealing cinematic experience.

Summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of "Hanu-Man":

• Strengths: The story's background, Teja Sajja's acting, graphics, and background music.
• Weaknesses: Some slow-paced scenes scattered throughout the film.

Final Takeaway: "Jai Hanuman.. Jai Sriram.." This Sankranti, "Hanu-Man" emerges as a family-friendly film that is likely to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.