Credits

Banner: Ram Prasad Arts

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Sonali Bendre, Lakshmi, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Sukumari, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Ravi Babu, Raghu Babu, Lakshmipati, Annapurna, Sudha, Sivaji Raja, Hema, MS Narayana, Prakash Raj (cameo), Naga Babu (cameo), Achyuth (cameo), Divi Srinivasa Deekshitulu

Music: Mani Sharma

Dialogues: Sobhan

Cinematography: C Ram Prasad

Art Director: SL Prabhakar Naag

Editing, Story, Screenplay & Direction: krishna Vamsi

Producer: Nandigam Gopi, Ramalingeswara Rao, N Devi Prasad

Theatrical Release Date: 17th February 2001

Interesting Facts:

Esha Deol was the first choice for the heroine but asked for too much money, then casting director went to Sonali Bendre who agreed upon narration marking her Telugu debut
Started filming in May 2000 with a budget of 5 crores. Working title was Krishna Mukunda Murari
Shot in Hyderabad, Ramanaidu Studios, Rajamundry, Ramachandrapuram,
Brought an elephant from Kerala and it took a week to get there
While filming Dum Dum Dum song, Mahesh Babu got a fever and then completed the song working 10 hours a day
Budget went past 5 crores and it took 150 working days to complete the film
Wanted to come for Sankranthi but already 3 big movies
Released February 16th, 2001 in limited theaters and had flop talk for first week and then it started to pick up
100 days in 34 centers, 175 days in 2 centers, collected more than 10 crores share at the box office and became a blockbuster resulting in double profit
Gave a breakthrough for Mahesh Babu, Sonali Bendre, Ravi Babu, Raghu Babu, and first movie of Peter Heins in Tollywood.
Second Digitally edited film in TFI, first was Mrugaraju

Acting: Except Mahesh Babu, everybody in the movie overacts to the core. Sonali Bendre peaks of irritation.

Writing/Direction: Story is very unique and interesting. Can look at it two different ways. At the time of it’s release, it was fantastic and very interesting. Even know the redeeming factor is the story.

Writing is good only for Murari character and the curse. With age everything else has aged terribly. Slow pace, cringe worthy love track, patience testing family sentiment scenes and overreaction by everybody. It’s a family film which is my favorite genre but idk Murari doesnt hit it for me.

Also all Krishna Vamsi movies have huge joint families and understanding the relations is more confusing than Brahmotsavam, Ponniyin Selvan, and Tuck Jagadish for real. Basically its a film for 2001 that seemed amazing then. But if you watch it know, you probably wont like.

People call Murari a classic. It might be for fans or if you’re biased, but its not like other classic family movies like Kalisundam Raa, Brindavanam, Ready, Nuvvu Naaku Nachav, Malliswari, Manmadhudu. Lacks the repeat value, pacing, and emotions of said films.

Technicalities:

Literally the saving grace on the rewatch was one and only king of Telugu music Mani Sharma. BGM is outstanding especially the flute BGM and cant’; say enough about the songs. Freaking classic album man. Such a nostalgic treat and masterpiece. One of Mani Sharma’s top 5 best albums for Mahesh Babu easily. Songs gave goosebumps due to how popular they have become over the years and lasted the test of time.

Cinematography by Ram Prasad is a visual delight. Loaded in beautiful colors and unfortunately due to age, HD remaster of the movie doesnt exist.

Art Direction by SL Prabhakar Naag is amazing. The sets and village atmosphere recreated for the entire film are outstanding. Art director worked overtime and its a treat to see on screen. Actually believe they’re in an actual village.

Overall: some films when you watch it during that time, it seems good. If you watch the same thing now, you won’t get the same feeling. Murari is one such movie. Songs, story, Mahesh Babu, visuals and production design are super but it lacks the repeat value of other Mahesh Babu movies due to slow pace, cringe worthy romantic track, and overaction family scenes

Revisiting Murari (2001): Review + Interesting Facts