Brahmotsavam () is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language family melodrama film written and directed by Srikanth Addala. The film was co-produced by Prasad V. Potluri under the banner PVP cinema in association with G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. It stars Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Rao Ramesh, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Pranitha Subhash. Gopi Sundar scored the film while Mickey J. Meyer composed the film's soundtrack album. R. Rathnavelu and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao handled the film's cinematography and editing respectively.
Addala worked on the film's script for more than a year, announced on collaborating for a new project with Babu in October 2014. Babu signed this project before the completion of his previous film Srimanthudu (2015). The film was launched on 31 May 2015, whereas principal photography commenced in August 2015. Major portions of the film were shot at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, with filming also took place in Ooty, Chennai and Varanasi, before the shooting process being wrapped in March 2016. Released on 20 May 2016, the film received negative reviews from critics and was a box office bomb, grossing only 63.70 crore amidst a budget of 75 crore.
Plot Chantibabu is a successful entrepreneur in the paint industry and a respected figure within his family and the wider community. He lives in Vijayawada with his wife, Mahalakshmi, and their son, who is also called Babu. Babu is a charming and friendly bachelor who runs his father's company. Chantibabu's younger daughter lives in London with her husband. Mahalakshmi's four stepbrothers also work with Chantibabu in the family business. Although they live in different houses, the families celebrate every occasion together.
However, Peddabbai, the eldest of Mahalakshmi's stepbrothers, is envious of his brother-in-law's fame because their father lent Chantibabu ₹400 to start his business. Everyone credits Chantibabu. Peddabbai keeps himself separate from the crowd and the celebrations. His wife, Rajyalakshmi, suggests they marry their daughter to Babu to ease his suffering. Peddabbai struggles to find a way to broach the subject with his brother-in-law. However, Chantibabu learns of his intentions and decides to speak with Babu himself.
Meanwhile, Kasi Annapurna, a free-spirited NRI from Australia, arrives in India. Her father, a friend of Chantibabu's, drops her off at his house. Babu and Kasi develop feelings for each other, but they have different ideas about living with family. Kasi prefers independence and wants to experience more in life. While touring Ooty, Kasi opens up to Babu, and they agree to end their relationship. Before saying goodbye, they kiss. Peddabbai then leaves Ooty. Worried, Chantibabu calls everyone home to settle things down. Peddabbai angrily confronts Chantibabu, demanding that he leave him and his family alone. Saddened by this, Chantibabu dies.
On her way to Brahmotsavam, Babu's sister's friend from London pays the family a visit. Babu tries to rebuild his relationship with Peddabbai, but without success. He then leaves with her on a road trip. During the trip, he meets distant relatives from seven generations ago and shares experiences with them. Over time, Babu and his sister's friend grow closer. They meet Peddabbai, who has become very successful. Pranitha is about to marry a minister's son. Although Peddabbai does this willingly to show off, he secretly wants Babu to marry his daughter. He asks Pranitha to leave Babu for his daughter's sake. Respecting his wishes, Pranitha leaves for Brahmotsavam, tearfully kissing Babu goodbye. Meanwhile, Peddabbai and Ramachandra Prasad decide to pursue the alliance with the minister's son. Despite it being a grand wedding, neither Babu nor Mahalakshmi are invited.
In an attempt to save face, they decide to go anyway. Peddabbai insults them. After a series of confrontations, Babu finds out that Chantibabu has left all his property in his name. He said, "Peddabbai was there for me through good times and bad, and he deserves it." Peddabbai then knelt down in front of Babu, apologising and crying. Things returned to normal, and the whole family went to Brahmotsavam, where they spoke to Babu's love interest about his wedding to her. Brahma (Samantha) and Otsavam (Mahesh Babu) became Brahmotsavam.
Cast
Production
Development A source close to director Srikanth Addala told IANS in mid October 2014 that Addala would collaborate with Mahesh Babu for a film. Babu was impressed with Addala's new script and accepted to work with him after completing his existing commitments. Addala worked on the film's script for more than a year. The filming was expected to begin in May 2015 once Babu completes the shoot of Srimanthudu (2015). The film was tentatively titled as Brahmotsavam and Addala said in late December 2014 that it would be a family drama adding that he would begin the casting process soon.
Prasad V. Potluri accepted to bankroll the film under the banner PVP Cinema and wanted Babu to sign a three-film deal once he returns from his holiday in Dubai; this film being the first of the three and the remaining two in 2016. On 8 January 2015, Addala told IANS that the film is almost confirmed and added that it is too early to share any more information. Babu chose to act in this film disregard to the box office performance of Addala's previous film Mukunda (2014) and the film was expected to be a romantic entertainer. Mickey J. Meyer was signed in on to compose the film's music.
R. Rathnavelu was confirmed as the film's director of photography in early May 2015. A special logo of the film's title featuring both Venkateswara feet and a poorna kumbham in addition was released on 30 May 2015, a day before the official launch ceremony. The poster confirmed A. Sreekar Prasad and Thota Tharani as the film's editor and art director respectively. An official statement from the makers confirmed that the film would be a bilingual shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil with the same title, marking Babu's first direct Tamil film. After opining that the script has the potential to commercially succeed in both the languages without making much changes, Babu accepted the proposal of a Telugu-Tamil bilingual. However, the plan was later on dropped.
Casting The makers tried to approach Rajinikanth for a brief yet key role as per the film's script. They approached Rakul Preet Singh to play the female lead and she evinced interest to be a part of the film after the first round of discussions. The film's team announced a casting call on 4 March 2015 for male and female characters; the requirements being an age group of 15 – 50 years and four photographs two full size and close up photographs each. A source from the film's unit reported Samantha Ruth Prabhu as one of the three female leads of the film in a statement to IANS on 15 April 2015, adding that Taapsee Pannu and Pranitha Subhash were called for a look test on the next day for the other two female lead roles.
Of the three female lead roles, the first two reportedly would have full-length roles while the third would pale in comparison. Sources close to the film's unit later added that parallel, wide open discussions were on regarding the female lead selection where a section of the technicians believe that fresh faces should be cast opposite Babu while a few opted for the inclusion of established female leads. A 30-day audition was held at Hyderabad from mid-April 2015. Babu, however, insisted that he would work with the actresses whose pairing with him received positive response from his fans. Rakul Preet Singh's manager confirmed her inclusion as one of the three female leads days later to the media. Though she denied signing the film during the promotions of Pandaga Chesko (2014), an official statement confirmed her and Pranitha as the female leads.
Jayasudha, Rao Ramesh and Tanikella Bharani were confirmed as a part of the film's supporting cast during the official launch ceremony. The makers chose Sathyaraj to play Babu's father in the film. The film's unit told IANS that his presence in a major role would appeal to Tamil audience as the film was promoted as a Telugu-Tamil bilingual. Mannara was rumoured to be approached by the makers for the second female lead role. The film's executive producer Rajiv later revealed that Mannara was never approached for any character in the film. Rajiv added that her manager approached the makers for a role after the rumour began spreading and they rejected the proposal as no character suited her.
Samantha replaced Rakul Preet Singh in mid June 2015 after the latter failed to adjust her call sheet due to scheduling conflicts. Brahmaji inclusion in the film's cast was confirmed in late June 2015. Kajal Aggarwal told IANS on 28 June 2015 that she has been signed as one of the film's female leads. At the same time, a press release confirmed the inclusion of Revathi and Naresh in the film's supporting cast. The former of the two was reported to play Babu's mother in the film. Also, Pranitha's character was reported to be a cameo appearance. Tulasi joined the film's supporting cast in early July 2015, and was chosen to play Aggarwal's mother in the film. Chandini Chowdary was signed to make a cameo appearance in late September 2015.
Pavani Gangireddy was signed to play Babu's sister in the film, which she called a "more than the typical token hero's sister". In December 2015, Aggarwal revealed that she would be seen as a non-resident Indian in the film, adding that Brahmotsavam "is largely based on characters and not on leads" and that in the ensemble cast, each character is crucial in the film. At the same time, PVP Cinema announced another casting call for real life families who are interested in participating in the film's shoot. Saranya Ponvannan inclusion in the film's cast was confirmed in mid-February 2016. In mid-March 2016, Pranitha revealed that she would play a traditional Telugu girl-next-door character from a very protective family, very bubbly and taking only the good from any situation in life. The character would sport simple kurtis and patiala pants. She further revealed that it will be the typical bava-maradalu (cousins) connection found in a Telugu household.
Filming Principal photography commenced on 31 May 2015. Babu allotted ninety days of call sheet without any lengthy breaks for the film which was expected to be wrapped up by December 2015. The filming was delayed as Babu was busy promoting Srimanthudu and was expected to resume from late August 2015. The regular filming commenced on 16 September 2015 with a song shot in a set erected by Tharani and a crew of 513 members at Ramoji Film City. Babu along with 21 other artists participated in the song's shoot. Raju Sundaram choreographed the song on which 35 million was spent. During the film's shoot Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who were shooting for Dilwale (2015) in Hyderabad, met Babu on the sets. The first schedule was wrapped up on 30 September 2015. The second schedule commenced on 5 October 2015 at Ramoji Film City in another set.
After taking a two-week break, Babu joined the film's sets in Hyderabad in early November 2015. The makers wanted to complete most of the film's shoot in the fresh schedule commenced, as many actors and actresses were involved. Filming continued at Ramoji Film City and Sathyaraj joined the film's sets in mid November 2015. Few scenes on Babu and Aggarwal were filmed at Chilkur before wrapping up the schedule. A fresh schedule commenced from 28 November 2015 again at Ramoji Film City. Upon its completion, filming continued at Ooty from 12 December 2015. After filming scenes on Babu, Sathyaraj and Pranitha, a song was filmed on the principal cast in a set erected by Tharani. The schedule was wrapped up by the end of December 2015.