Credits
Banner: Primeshow Entertainment
Cast: Teja Sajja, Amrutha Aiyer, Ravi Teja (voice), Vinay Rai, Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar, Vennela Kishore, Raj Deepak Shetty, Getup Srinu, Satya and others
Music: Anudeep Dev, GowraHari, Krishna Saurabh
Cinematography: Dasaradhi Sivendra (same for naa Saami Ranga)
Editor: Sai Babu Talari
Art Director: Sri Nagendra Tangala
Screenplay - dialogues: Scriptville
Writer - director: Prasanth Varma
Producer: Niranjan Reddy Kandagatla
Release Date: January 12th, 2024
Interesting Facts: https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/director-prasanth-varma-on-hanuman-this-cinematic-universe-will-also-have-a-female-superhero-film/article67694986.ece
Writing/Direction: the Line of the movie is basically like every superhero movie: A man gains superpowers to save to world and fight evil. Here the stone gives him superpowers and the evil is Michael who intends to do bad things with the stone if he ever got it.
Hanuman tries to be a superhero origin story and a commercial masala Telugu movie at the same time and I felt it did neither fully. The balancing act was not there.
Positives in the writing were Hanumanthu’s characterization, elevations, the world building Anjanadri etc, actions sequences and fun factor which is main.
The action sequences were so well chroerhpraged and the first fight when he gets his powers is typical but very fun. Its a must scene in every superhero movie of the hero getting his powers and learning how to use them.
The references scene was a delight because I love that stuff and then they give elevation for Balayya. Scene when he finds the stone is very good. Gajapathi fight scene at interval is very good and then Avakayi fight was very well done with symbolism basically hes gonna beat the villains into a paste. Reminded me of Sitharala Sirapadu and theaters probably went crazy for that scene.
The elevations were also superb. If you are Hindu, then you have heard the stories and mythology and know of Hanuman’s powers and greatness and this movie does them very well.
The negatives were actually some of the commercial elements: romantic track is not believable at all nor was I entertained by it, comedy didnt work except the bird that follows Satya and then the movie really didnt have emotion. To generate emotion they kill Varalaxmi. Then I felt it, but other than that I never felt the sister brother bond. The one scene which is done really well between them is when Hanumanthu’s grandma tells him that the reason his sister isn’t married is because of taking care of him, so Hanumantu makes everything without his superpowers by hand so she can take care of herself. Touching and well written moment. Aslo Vinay rai’s villain was very weak despite an interesting backstory. He has no motives for us to connect. Its just he is bad guy and wants to do evil things.
There’s also the themes of a village that is under a ruler and they are all salves. Who will free us from atrocities and it happens to be Hanumanthu with his superpowers. Once they are freed, immediately another conflict comes in.
Direction by Prashanth Varma is amazing and very good to be honest. Despite such limited budget the output is outstanding and looks like easily a 70-75 crore film. The VFX is tacky for the animals and some scenes but what else do you expect. That being said the way he was able to craft a Telugu superhero movie despite it being a routine template movie and package it very well is amazing.
scenes that how his brilliance