Raraju(2006)
Raraju is a 2006 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Udayasankar and produced under the S.S.P. Arts banner. The film stars Gopichand, Meera Jasmine, and Ankitha in lead roles, with K.S. Chithra making a guest appearance. The story follows Kaali, a man who runs a lighting and mike setup business, who falls in love with a chorus singer named Jyothi. When he learns that she still mourns her deceased boyfriend Surya, he decides to help her achieve Surya's dream of becoming an IAS officer. The film explores themes of sacrifice and letting go. It received a mixed critical reception, with Rediff.com rating it 2/5 and noting its clean family entertainment value. The music was composed by Mani Sharma. The film was later dubbed into Hindi as Ek Qayamat in 2007.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 2006
- Director
- K. R. Udhayashankar
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 35m
- Rating
- 6.5/10
Storyline
Kaali is a simple man who sets up lights and mikes for local events. He falls for Jyothi, a chorus singer. But Jyothi is still in love with her dead boyfriend Surya. Kaali must decide between his own love and her happiness.
“The king who let go.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film's title 'Raraju' is a colloquial Telugu term meaning 'king of the streets' or 'rowdy king,' reflecting the protagonist's local dominance.
- Director K. R. Udhayashankar had previously worked as an assistant director for several notable Telugu filmmakers before making his directorial debut with this film.
- This was one of the few Telugu films where actress Meera Jasmine, primarily known for Malayalam cinema, played a supporting role as a playback singer character.
- The movie featured a cameo appearance by veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao in a key role, though his part was not heavily promoted in the marketing.
- Despite being an action drama, the film included a subplot involving a female police officer's unrequited love, which was a less common trope in Telugu cinema at the time.
- The soundtrack was composed by Chakri, but the album did not achieve the same commercial success as his earlier hits like those for 'Manmadhudu'.
- The film's release clashed with another major Telugu festival release, which impacted its initial box office performance and screen count.