Nanda Gopal aka Nandu, an assassin, and his gateaway partner Malli, are hired by Shiva Reddy, an opposition leader, for an assassination attempt on Shiva Reddy during one of his political party meetings in hopes to garner sympathy votes. On the day of the hit, Shiva Reddy gets shot dead by someone and Malli also dies in an accident. Nandu jumps off the building onto a train and meets Pardhu, who is returning to his village Basarlapudi after running away twelve years ago. At Gudivada, the cops spots Nandu and fires at him, but accidentally kills Pardhu instead.
Nandu escapes in the ensuing confusion and arrives at Basarlapudi to inform Pardhu's death to the family. Thinking that Nandu is Pardhu, the latter's family rejoices at his return. Nandu grows closer to the family and solves many of their problems. Nandu also falls in love with Poori, Pardhu's cousin and fiancée. Nandu also reveals his real identity to Ramana, Parthu's old friend. Meanwhile, Anjaneya Prasad, a CBI officer, is handed the case of Shiva Reddy's murder. His investigation leads him to Basarlapudi and he becomes suspicious of Nandu. Using a clue from Sadhu, Nandu and Malli's mentor, in prison, Prasad traces the payment made to Nandu back to Basarlapudi.
Nandu flees before Prasad's arrival and Prasad informs Pardhu's death to the family. After Prasad and his team leave, everyone believes Nandu has cheated them, but Ramana tells everyone all the good deeds Nandu has done for the family. Nandu returns and confesses his true identity. He claims not to have cheated the family. Pardhu's grandfather tells Nandu that rather than flee the scene of the crime, Nandu came to them and solved their problems, and hence he considers him as Pardhu. He hands his son's shotgun to Nandu and encourages him to seek justice. Nandu calls Baji Reddy, the CM candidate, and blackmails him with the recording of their earlier conversation.
Baji Reddy tells him that Malli, who is alive, had killed Shiva Reddy. He had framed Nandu for the crime and also faked his death. Nandu records the entire phone call as evidence. Nandu finds Malli, but both are attacked by corrupt cops sent to kill them and take back the tape. Nandu kills them and fights Malli, who dies after the shotgun backfires due to a marble placed in the barrel. Prasad arrives and is handed the tape by Nandu as evidence. When Prasad confronts Baji Reddy with the evidence, Baji Reddy tells that the court won't convict him, but Prasad says that Shiva Reddy's son will kill him when he hears the tape. Cornered, Baji Reddy commits suicide, thereby closing the case.
Nandu immerses in Pardhu's ashes and meets Prasad, who decides to leave Nandu, keeping his grandfather’s shotgun and mentions that there is no need for it. Nandu then leaves for Basarlapudi to begin his new journey.
Cast
Mahesh Babu as Nanda Gopal "Nandu", a professional killer who takes up the identity of Pardhu
K. Vishwanath as CBI Officer K. S. Patanjali (special appearance)
Production
Development
In an interview with the media about his film Julai, Trivikram shared his views on this film, stating :
I narrated the story of Athadu to Mahesh Babu before the start of Nuvve Nuvve shoot. Before making of Athadu, I fixed myself that I should not compromise at any cost. I wanted to make the film the way I envisioned it. I wanted to satisfy the audience in me after shooting every scene. I doubled checked each and every scene as an audience. I could able to do 80% of what I had imagined when I wrote the script. If you look at the first 15 minutes of the Athadu movie, you will realize the level of intensity and technical finesse.[5]
Casting
Initially, Trivikram wanted to do this film with Pawan Kalyan and narrated the script. But he did not show much interest in signing the film and also slept during script narration.[3][6]Mahesh Babu listened to the script of this film in 2002 but Trvikram and the film's producers had to wait for him till he completed the shooting schedules of S. J. Surya's science fiction film Naani and Gunasekhar's family drama Arjun as they were his existing commitments then. The shooting started a month later after the completion of Arjun. For his characterization and the dialogues uttered by the character he played, Mahesh had to adjust to Trivikram's style of dialogues, which took 10 days. Trisha Krishnan was selected for the leading female role. In an interview with the media on 29 June 2005 at the event of audio release stated that she would be seen in a role with shades of comedy though she added that her role was a limited one.[7]
Murali Mohan later revealed that he wanted his friend and former Telugu actor Sobhan Babu to play the role of Satya Narayana Murthy, which would have marked his comeback film which was busy with a highly profitable real estate business then. For the same, Murali Mohan even issued and sent a blank cheque to Sobhan Babu's residence at Chennai as the remuneration. But Sobhan Babu refused to do that role and rejected the offer politely. Later, Nassar portrayed that role with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam dubbing for him in frail voice and his performance was appreciated by critics.[8]
Filming
For the film's shoot, 160 motion cameras were imported from London to shoot time-freeze effect shots in action sequences which were clarified by Mahesh himself as still cameras only. Because of non compromising, not more than 10 shots were shot per day. 4 to 5 complicated action sequences were shot under the supervision of Peter Hein with much finesse, and the climax sequence was shot indoors, which took enormous time to complete thus making the principal photography end after a span of two years.[7] A big set was constructed at Ramanaidu Studios in Nanakramguda at Hyderabad where most of the film's family scenes were shot.[9] On 7 August 2004, a scene featuring Mahesh and Sunil was shot on the bridge of the lake at ICRISAT campus in Hyderabad.[10]
Mani Sharma composed the music for this film marking his first collaboration with Trivikram Srinivas and eighth collaboration with Mahesh Babu. The film's soundtrack was released by Mahesh Babu's father and prominent Telugu actor Krishna on 29 June 2005 at the house set of the film constructed at Nanakramguda through Maruthi Music label. This album consists of six melodies composed by Mani Sharma while Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Viswa penned the lyrics. Apart from Krishna, the film's lead pair, producers, and Maruthi Music representatives attended the event.[9]
The audio received moderately positive response from critics. IndiaGlitz wrote "Mani Sharma has tried to please all. If you are going to compare this one with his previous offerings for Mahesh, it does not do any one any good. On its own, the album has its moments."[11] Upon the film's release, Mani Sharma's work was acclaimed by the critics and audience alike. IndiaGlitz wrote "Mani Sharma's music, especially the title song, is very good. His re-recording also fits the bill."[12]idlebrain.com wrote "Music by Mani Sharma is good. The picturization of the first song which comes as background song for titles is wonderful. Neetho Cheppana song has got typical Mexican music. Background music and rerecording of the film is good."[13]Sify.com wrote "The highlights of Athadu are the camerawork of K. V. Guhan and the melodious music and background score of Mani Sharma. The Neeto Chappana number picturised in the tea estates of Darjeeling is the pick of the album."[14] Songs Sung By Eminent Singers Like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, Kavita Krishnamurti, Shreya Ghoshal, Mahalakshmi Iyer, KK etc
The film released in 79 centers in Nizam region in Andhra Pradesh and was distributed by Maruthi Movies in which 3 centers screened the film for only 2 days. The film released in 24 centers across Visakhapatnam and was distributed by Sri Venkateswara Films. Sri Bharathi Pictures released the film in Krishna district in 18 centers.[15] The film was released simultaneously in 3 screens in Chennai and it was also the first Telugu film to do so.[16][17]
Overseas
The film was released with 6 prints in United States and was distributed by Vishnu Mudda and Soma Kancherla of Crown DVD distribution company. Because of the demand, another print was imported from India for screening.[18][19] The film's first screening in USA happened at Cine Plaza 13 at North Bergen on the night of 11 August 2005.[20] At Connecticut, a special screening was conducted on 19 August 2005. Initially one show was planned but because of the demand another show was screened. There at the theater, a turn out of 442 people was observed which included standing audience for 434 seats and about 60 could not be accommodated.[21] Apart from USA, the film released in selected screens in United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany and Australia.[19]
Home media
The DVD of the movie was released by Aditya Music under its Aditya Video Brand and won the best DVD award for its quality and is considered to be one of the highest sold DVDs in Tollywood history. After 7 years, Star Maa renewed the contract by paying an amount of ₹3.5 crores which was a record price for a 2005 Telugu film.[22]
Dubbed versions and remakes
The film was remade in Hindi as Ek: The Power of One (2009), in Bangladeshi Bengali as Rastar Chele (2009), in Indian Bengali as Wanted (2010), in Urdu as The Power of One (2013) and in Bhojpuri as Wanted (2018).
Despite the remakes in different languages, the film was dubbed and released in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, English, and Polish as Nandhu, Cheetah: The Power of One (2013), The Target, Khiladi Bhaiya (2013), The Power of One, and Poszukiwany respectively.
Reception
Critical reception
Sify stated, "The highlight of the film is Mahesh Babu who looks cool, confident and competent as a hit man with his expressive body language and mannerisms. Athadu just about makes it as a slickly packaged entertainer but only for want of a better alternative."[14]IndiaGlitz gave a review stating, "The story sure has splendid potential, but the director does not use them to the hilt simply because he attempts to do too many things almost simultaneously. Yet, all things considered, Athadu is a good entertainer. The problem is you can't praise it as the best yet cannot rubbish it as being useless. It is somewhere in between with more pluses than minuses."[12]Cinegoer.net gave a review stating, "True the film gives an image of a Hollywood base for the drama. Even the taking, screenplay structure and execution of scenes, less talk and more action – all add to this image. But there are elements in this film that only a Telugu man can do it originally. That is the love track. And the way Trivikram put to view the scenic structure between Mahesh Babu and Trisha is impressive and refreshing."[23]
Box office
The film netted ₹ 1 million from 3 screens in Chennai in its opening weekend debuting at second position pushing Shankar's Anniyan down to the third place.[17] It collected approximately ₹220 million (US$2.8 million) in its total run.[4] The film had a 50 days run in 205 centers[24] and a 100-day run in 38 centres.[25] The film had a 175-day run in Sudarshan 35 mm, Hyderabad, grossing ₹ 1.40 crores from the theater.,[4][26]
