Guntur Kaaram (pronounced [ɡuntuːr kaːram]; transl. Spice of Guntur) (also known by the initialism GK,) is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, and produced by S. Radha Krishna through Haarika & Hassine Creations. It stars Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishna, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, and Brahmanandam.
The film was officially announced in May 2021 under the tentative title SSMB28, as it is Mahesh’s 28th film in the leading role, and the official title was announced in May 2023. Principal photography commenced in September 2022, mostly shot in Hyderabad, and wrapped by late-December 2023. The film’s score and soundtrack are composed by Thaman S, with cinematography handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing handled by Naveen Nooli.
| Directed by | Trivikram Srinivas |
|---|---|
| Written by | Trivikram Srinivas |
| Produced by | S. Radha Krishna |
| Starring | Mahesh Babu Sreeleela Meenakshi Chaudhary Jagapathi Babu Ramya Krishna |
| Cinematography | Manoj Paramahamsa P. S. Vinod |
| Edited by | Naveen Nooli |
| Music by | Thaman S |
| Production company | Haarika & Hassine Creations |
| Release date | 12 January 2024 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹200 crore |
Cast
- Mahesh Babu as Vyra Venkat Ramana Reddy
- Sreeleela as Keerthi “Ammu”
- Meenakshi Chaudhary
- Jagapathi Babu
- Ramya Krishna
- Jayaram
- Easwari Rao
- Prakash Raj as Vyra Venkata Swamy
- Sunil
- Brahmanandam
- Mahesh Achanta
- Raghu Babu
Guntur Kaaram is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide on 12 January 2024, coinciding with Sankranti.
Guntur Kaaram movie’s budget is 200 crore.
Amid a flurry of rumours about the postponement of his highly anticipated action drama Guntur Kaaram, Mahesh Babu personally stepped forward to address the matter and decisively put an end to all the speculations by disclosing the film’s confirmed release date.
During a recent media interaction, Mahesh was asked about the potential delay of the movie’s release. Dismissing any speculations, the actor confidently affirmed that the film is set to be released as originally planned, during the Sankranti festival of 2024. The festival is scheduled for January 15 next year, and the makers had previously announced that Guntur Kaaram would premiere on January 13 as a Sankranti release.
Production
Development
On 1 May 2021, the project was officially announced under the tentative title SSMB28. The film was initially promoted as an action thriller. However, after the completion of the first schedule, reports surfaced about conflicts among crew members and the cast. Subsequently, the production of the film was paused, and the script was reworked. After several months of delay, Trivikram presented a new modified script that transformed the film into a family entertainer, departing from the original narrative as an action thriller. The sequences filmed during the first schedule were intended to be discarded. The shooting recommenced with action sequences as per the modifications done to the script. The project is produced by S. Radha Krishna of Haarika & Hassine Creations. The film’s official title was revealed as Guntur Kaaram on 31 May 2023.
A muhurtam pooja ceremony was held on 3 February 2022 at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad with the film’s cast and crew, including Pooja Hegde, producer S. Radha Krishna, music composer Thaman S, cinematographer P. S. Vinod, editor Naveen Nooli, production designer A. S. Prakash, and stunt choreography duo Ram Lakshman.
Casting
In August 2021, Pooja Hegde was reported to be the lead actress, marking her second collaboration with Mahesh Babu, after Maharshi (2019) and third collaboration with Trivikram, after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. Samyuktha Menon was reported to play the second female lead, before finalizing Sreeleela.
In February 2023, Ramya Krishna is selected to play a key role in the film. In March, Prakash Raj joined the cast to play Mahesh Babu’s grandfather in the film. Later Jayaram joined the cast. In April, Jagapathi Babu was reported to play “a very endearing yet scary” character.
In June 2023, however, Hegde opted out of the film, owing to conflicting dates in her schedule. She was subsequently replaced by Meenakshi Chaudhary, who would star in the supporting role that was previously meant to be portrayed by Sreeleela. Sreeleela would, instead, star in Hegde’s lead role.
Filming
Principal photography commenced on 12 September 2022 with an action sequence in Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad. The first schedule, involving high-octane stunts choreographed by Anbariv duo, was later completed in the same month. However it was later confirmed by the producers that the fight was scrapped. The second schedule was planned to commence after Dussehra festivities in Ramoji Film City with Hegde joining the sets. The shooting was then halted with Trivikram making modifications to the script and converted the action thriller film into a “family entertainer”.
The second schedule started on 18 January 2023 in Sarathi Studios, Hyderabad. Hegde joined the sets with filming taking place in Hyderabad. In February, team constructed a house set spending ₹10 crore at Shankarpalli, Telengana in Hyderabad. In March, Jayaram joined the sets. The second schedule was wrapped on 6 April. After shooting more than 50% of the film, the cinematographer of the film, P. S. Vinod, left, owing to creative differences. Following this development, Manoj Paramahamsa was announced as his replacement for the film. The third schedule began on 24 June. Principal photography wrapped on 28 December 2023.
Music
Thaman S. composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film, in his fifth collaboration with Babu after Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Aagadu (2014), and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022); third collaboration with Trivikram after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). Thaman started the work on the film’s music in June 2022. The first single “Dum Masala” was released on 7 November 2023. The second single “Oh My Baby” was released on 13 December 2023.
All lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Dum Masala” | Sanjith Hegde, Jyoti Nooran | 3:27 |
| 2. | “Oh My Baby” | Shilpa Rao | 2:37 |
| 3. | “Kurchi Madatapetti” | Sahiti Chaganti, Sri Krishna | 3:43 |
| Total length: | 9:47 | ||
Marketing
On 31 May 2023, first glimpse was released, on the occasion of Babu’s father Krishna’s 80th birth anniversary, which was attached with Mosagallaku Mosagadu 4K re-release in theatres.
Release
Theatrical
Guntur Kaaram is scheduled to release worldwide on 12 January 2024. Originally intended for a theatrical release on 28 April 2023, the film’s launch was first deferred to 11 August 2023, and then to 13 January 2024, to coinciding with Sankranti. Eventually, the release date was advanced to 12 January 2024.
Home media
The digital distribution rights were acquired by Netflix.