Bhola Shankar
Bhola Shankar is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Meher Ramesh. A remake of the 2015 Tamil film Vedalam, it stars Chiranjeevi as the titular character with Tamannaah Bhatia, Keerthy Suresh and Sushanth. 

Upon its release on 11 August 2023, Bhola Shankar received negative reviews from critics and emerged as a box-office bomb.

Plot
Shankar , a taxi driver, embarks on a journey from Hyderabad to Kolkata with his beloved sister Mahalakshmi (Maha), determined to secure her admission to an arts college. Their arrival in Kolkata introduces them to "Kolkata" Kaali, who becomes an unlikely friend and offers assistance. With Maha settled into college, Shankar joins Vamsi's cab company, leading him to cross paths with the fierce lawyer Lasya.

Lasya cunningly involves Shankar in a charade, where he poses as a mute eyewitness in a case. However, Shankar's unforeseen words expose the ruse, resulting in an embarrassing episode. Vamsi intervenes to shield Shankar from Lasya's wrath, setting the stage for an alliance between Lasya and Vamsi, with emotions tangled in a web of vengeance.

Beneath the surface, the stage is set for a twist when it's revealed that Maha and Srikar, have secretly fallen in love, entwining their fate with unexpected consequences.

Shankar and his fellow cab drivers are enlisted by DCP Yashpal to unearth the sinister workings of a notorious crime syndicate. Shankar stumbles upon a case of arms trafficking, drawing the ire of the ruthless Bretlee and his henchmen. An encounter ensues as Shankar single-handedly takes on Bretlee. Bretlee is revealed to be Shankar's long-lost brother, separated in their childhood due to a tragic misunderstanding.

Charles, Bretlee's brother, arrives to investigate the unfolding chaos, triggering a showdown as Shankar confronts Charles and his squad. Charles unveils his own tragic past, leading to an alliance between Shankar and Charles against a common enemy.

Lasya, in her pursuit of Shankar, witnesses the confrontation, leaving her torn between her duty and her growing affection for him. As the truth about Shankar's dual identity emerges, Lasya is faced with a moral dilemma that could alter the course of everyone's lives.

A series of flashback sequences peeks into Shankar and Mahalakshmi's earlier life as the notorious duo "Bholaa and Maha," feared enforcers of justice. Their paths had crossed with Mahalakshmi's parents, sparking a chain of events that would set them on a collision course with destiny.

In the present, Shankar's loyalty to his newfound family is tested as he races against time to protect Mahalakshmi from Alex, the cunning syndicate mastermind. A chase through Kolkata's labyrinthine streets culminates in a confrontation, where Shankar must unearth a shocking truth about Alex's connection to his past.

As the dust settles, and the threads of fate intertwine, Shankar and Mahalakshmi return to Hyderabad, their lives forever altered by a journey that unraveled long-buried secrets, rekindled lost bonds, and redefined the boundaries of love, loyalty, and redemption.

Cast

Production 
Initially, Sai Pallavi was approached for Chiranjeevi's sister role in the film but she rejected as she was not interested in remakes. Keerthy Suresh was cast in her place. Music director Mani Sharma's son Mahati Swara Sagar was signed onto this film as the composer. Tamannaah Bhatia is cast opposite Chiranjeevi in their second collaboration after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019). An official launch was held on 11 November 2021. They started filming on 15 November 2021 and finished the last round of shooting in May 2023.

Music

The music is composed by Mahati Swara Sagar. Lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry, Sri Mani, and Kasarala Shyam. The first single titled "Bholaa Mania" was released on 4 June 2023. The second single titled "Jam Jam Jajjanaka" was released on 11 July 2023. The third single titled "Milky Beauty" was released on 21 July 2023. The fourth single titled "Rage of Bhola" was released on 5 August 2023. The fifth single titled "Kottara Kottu Teenumaaru" was released on 7 August 2023.

Release

Theatrical
Bhola Shankar was theatrically released on 11 August 2023.

Home media
The digital rights of the film were acquired by Netflix.

Reception
Bhola Shankar received negative reviews from critics. Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Bholaa Shankar suffers because the shift between the various portions of the film is jarring, not to mention, the writing needed a deft hand. Not even Chiranjeevi and Keerthy are enough to save the day." Janani K of India Today gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Bholaa Shankar is a remake that no one asked for or a remake that could have had a better adaptation. If only." Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and termed the film as "hollow and distasteful homage to the mass legacy of Chiranjeevi". Raisa Nasreen of Zoom TV gave the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "A remake of the Tamil film Vedalam, and directed by Meher Ramesh, Bhola Shankar has been altered to suit the sentiments of the Telugu audience."

Box office 
On its opening day, Bholaa Shankar collected around  worldwide.

References

External links 
 

Indian action drama films
Films shot in Hyderabad, India
Telugu remakes of Tamil films