Anji(2004)
Anji is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language fantasy action-adventure film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Chiranjeevi in the title role, alongside Namrata Shirodkar, Tinnu Anand, and Nagendra Babu. The story follows Anji, a kind-hearted forest dweller who discovers the mystical Aatmalingam, a stone that grants immortality every 72 years. He must protect it from the evil billionaire Veerendra Bhatia, who has spent decades searching for it. The film was produced on a budget of ₹25–35 crore, making it the most expensive Telugu film at the time. It took over six years to complete due to its groundbreaking visual effects. Anji won the National Film Award for Best Special Effects, the first Telugu film to win in that category. It was also featured in the Limca Book of Records as the first Indian film to use 3D digital graphics. The film released on 15 January 2004 during the Sankranthi festival.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Sun NXT, Airtel Xstream Play, JioTV
- Theatrical Release
- 15 January 2004
- Director
- Kodi Ramakrishna
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 30m
- Rating
- 6.6/10
Storyline
Anji is a simple man living in a forest with four orphans. He finds a magical stone called the Aatmalingam. An evil billionaire named Bhatia wants the stone to become immortal. Anji must travel to a hidden temple in the Himalayas to protect the stone. He faces deadly traps and a powerful enemy to save his family.
“Protect the stone. Save the world.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Anji
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Narayana & Nagendra Babu (10 films together), Ramya Krishnan & Nagendra Babu (6 films together), Ramya Krishnan & M. S. Narayana (5 films together), Kodi Ramakrishna & Rami Reddy (4 films together), M. S. Narayana & Chiranjeevi (4 films together), and Nagendra Babu & Chiranjeevi (4 films together).
Trivia
- The film's special effects were created by the same team that worked on the Hollywood movie 'The Mummy Returns'.
- Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan made a cameo appearance as a young boy in the film.
- The movie was shot in remote locations of Nepal and the Himalayas, facing extreme weather conditions.
- It was one of the most expensive Telugu films of its time, with a budget of around 25 crore rupees.
- The story is inspired by Hindu mythology, specifically the legend of the Amrit Manthan or churning of the ocean.
- A real-life spiritual guru, Swami Satyamitranand Giri, played a key role in the film's religious sequences.
- Despite its high budget, the film underperformed at the box office upon its initial release.