A cinematic version,more to suit the acting of the lead star, Mr.Nagarjuna.History has been changed ,like making Mohanbabu's role a laughing stock,but overall its a good movie with some excellent direction by Raghavendra Rao.This movie will go down as the best for him,Nagarjuna and perhaps Suman.
4 Reviews
Good attempt by a Commerical Director
sreebhar27 July 2006
Every Telugu Film goer was surprised when there was an announcement about "Annamayya" movie being made by Direcotr K Raghavendra Rao with Nagarjuna as Annamacharya. The reason could be their commercial image. But Telugu audience soon realized that "Annamayya" is definitely one among the best movies ever produced by Telugu Film Industry. Though there have been few changes in the original life history of Shri Tallapaka Annamacharya, one could understand these changes helped the movie to become commercially a big hit. This film has Good casting, music, screen play, dialogs along with lyrics (most of them penned by Annamacharya) make this a good movie. Except for few unnecessary scenes in the movie (between Mohan Babu and Roja; Bramhanandam and Gundu Hanumantha Rao) overall - Annamayya gives us a fresh feel. Annamayya is a good movie worth watching.
Superb Devotional movie with an Excellent climax
Vihari_Krishna16 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Story - This film is the depiction of some life events of 15th century poet-singer "Annamacharya", who is very popular for his sankeerthanas on Lord Venkateswara.
Performances - Nagarjuna just steals the show. He carries the entire movie on his able shoulders with a nuanced portrayal. He excelled in all the shades (Young-Transition into Devotee-Devotee-Widower-Old) given to his character. His performance, particularly, in the climax episode with white beard is just outstanding. Next best is obviously Suman. He is superb in the role of Lord Venkateswara. Dubbing given to him by S.P.Balasubrahmanyam is just excellent. Rest others did their roles perfectly well, but Mohan babu is poor. Many of his mannerisms are unnecessary and they hamper the devotional aspect of this movie.
Music - Keeravani's music is excellent. Even today, Annamayya songs are played in temples. All songs are excellent and background score is just great.
Other Departments - Art work is superb. Photography is nice. Editing and dialogues are good.
Story - Though story slightly differs from the original and tends to be more cinematic, it is nice.
Direction - Direction is good but has its own share of flaws. All devotional scenes are nicely canned where as scenes involving Mohan Babu-Roja and Brahmandam's comedy in first half are of cheap taste. They're unnecessary. But Raghavendra Rao must be appreciated for the way he directed the climax. This is certainly one of the best climaxes in Telugu cinema. It is very very heart touching. You'll shed at least two tears in the climax.
Final Piece - The film is a superb one. Plus points are Nagarjuna's extra-ordinary performance, Suman and Keeravani's music. Minus points are Mohan babu episode and cheap comedy. If you ignore these minuses, this film'll surely drench you in devotion and spirituality. Watch it for Nagarjuna and M.M.Keeravani.
Performances - Nagarjuna just steals the show. He carries the entire movie on his able shoulders with a nuanced portrayal. He excelled in all the shades (Young-Transition into Devotee-Devotee-Widower-Old) given to his character. His performance, particularly, in the climax episode with white beard is just outstanding. Next best is obviously Suman. He is superb in the role of Lord Venkateswara. Dubbing given to him by S.P.Balasubrahmanyam is just excellent. Rest others did their roles perfectly well, but Mohan babu is poor. Many of his mannerisms are unnecessary and they hamper the devotional aspect of this movie.
Music - Keeravani's music is excellent. Even today, Annamayya songs are played in temples. All songs are excellent and background score is just great.
Other Departments - Art work is superb. Photography is nice. Editing and dialogues are good.
Story - Though story slightly differs from the original and tends to be more cinematic, it is nice.
Direction - Direction is good but has its own share of flaws. All devotional scenes are nicely canned where as scenes involving Mohan Babu-Roja and Brahmandam's comedy in first half are of cheap taste. They're unnecessary. But Raghavendra Rao must be appreciated for the way he directed the climax. This is certainly one of the best climaxes in Telugu cinema. It is very very heart touching. You'll shed at least two tears in the climax.
Final Piece - The film is a superb one. Plus points are Nagarjuna's extra-ordinary performance, Suman and Keeravani's music. Minus points are Mohan babu episode and cheap comedy. If you ignore these minuses, this film'll surely drench you in devotion and spirituality. Watch it for Nagarjuna and M.M.Keeravani.
Spiritual Bhakti movie of a life time
RPrasaad9 February 2019
Annamayya is a great movie of Sankeertana Rishi Annamayya. Beautifully rendered by director K. Raghavendra Rao. Nagarjuna did his best of ever performance. MM Keeravani's music coupled with SP Balasubramanym added life to the movie. This is a Must Watch for every Telugu person.
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