Dasara (film)
Dasara () is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language period action drama film written and directed by Srikanth Odela in his directorial debut. It stars an ensemble cast of Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko, Samuthirakani, Sai Kumar and Shamna Kasim. The film was announced in October 2021. Principal photography commenced in March 2022 and ended in January 2023. The film is set in the backdrop of Singareni coal mines near Godavarikhani of Telangana. Santhosh Narayanan composed the soundtrack and film score. Dasara was released on 30 March 2023 and received positive reviews from critics, emerging as a commercial success at the box office. Plot 
In 2009, Dharani is a young ruffian, who steals coal for a living and lives with his grandmother in Veerlapally, where the womanfolk of the village are suffering as a result of influence of alcohol. He spends most of his time with his best friends Siddham "Suri" Suryam and Vennela. Dharani loves Vennela since their childhood, but later learns that Suri and Vennela love each other, where he sacrifices his love and decide to unite Suri and Vennela. However, their relationship is objected by Vennela's mother Ramanamma, due to Suri's involvement in stealing coal. Dharani speaks with her for Suri and arranges the marriage by winning a local cricket match in order to make Suri as a cashier job at the famous "Silk" bar, as announced by the village's candidate for the sarpanch Thurpugutta Shivanna's son Chinna Nambi. Dharani and Suri get into a fight with Chinna Nambi's supporters at the bar and damage it. As a result, Chinna Nambi gets Dharani and his friends arrested. Shivanna's kinder step-brother Rajanna bails them out and asks them to not worry about the village politics. However, Suri asks him to contest in the sarpanch elections, to which Rajanna eventually agrees. Rajanna wins the election after encouraging the womenfolk to vote for the first time and Dharani is made as the Deputy sarpanch under Rajanna. Suri's marriage with Vennela is subsequently fixed as a result. On the day of his marriage with Vennela, Suri learns about Dharani's love for Vennela and his sacrifice for him, where he gets heartbroken. As Suri is on his way to talk to Dharani and their friends at the bar, a mysterious gang attacks and chases all of them, where three of Dharani and Suri's friends are brutally killed, while another collapses from a heart attack. Dharani is injured in the ensuing chase, and Suri tries to escape with him on a bicycle. While escaping, Suri is beheaded, thus devastating Dharani and Vennela. Baying for vengeance, Dharani begins to investigate into the matter. He learns that Chinna Nambi was the perpetrator and ordered Suri's death. Chinna Nambi's wife tells him that Chinna Nambi lusts after Vennela and had Suri killed when he learnt about his relationship with her, not because he contested against him. After learning about this, Dharani begins to protect Vennela from Chinna Nambi by marrying her during the 11th day funeral rituals of Suri. At first, Vennela sees Dharani with hatred due to him forcefully marrying her, but later grows fond of him. On the day of Dasara, Chinna Nambi reveals to Vennela about his involvement in Suri's death and Dharani's devotion to her, shocking Vennela as she was unaware of Dharani's love for her since their childhood. During the Ravana Dahanam, the same gang that chased and killed Suri and Dharani's friends are waiting to kill Dharani and his remaining friends. However, Dharani and his remaining group of friends manage to kill all of them, just as the police arrive to arrest them. Dharani reveals to the entire village of Chinna Nambi's involvement in Suri's death. Before being taken away, Dharani manages to escape from the police and decapitate Chinna Nambi in front of the entire village. Dharani and his friends are imprisoned as a result. 7 years later, Dharani and his friends arrive back to the village after finishing their sentence. Dharani learns that the husbands of the womenfolk are still suffering as a result of the influence of alcohol and finally realizes that alcohol will ruin everyone in the village. Dharani sets the bar on fire in front of the whole village, where he finally meets Vennela and they have an emotional reunion. Cast 
 Nani as Dharani
 Keerthy Suresh as Vennela
 Dheekshith Shetty as Siddham Suryam "Suri"
 Shine Tom Chacko as Thurpugutta Chinna Nambi
 Samuthirakani as Thurpugutta Shivanna, Chinna Nambi's father
 Sai Kumar as Thurpugutta Rajanna, Shivanna's step-brother
 Jhansi as Ramanamma, Vennela's mother
 Shamna Kasim as Chinna Nambi's wife
 Rajsekhar Aningi as Inspector Nagaraju
 Raviteja Nannimala as Dharani's friend
 Surabhi Prabhavathi as Suri's mother

Production

Development 
In October 2021, Nani next project was announced with the title Dasara under the direction of debutant Srikanth Odela, who assisted Sukumar in Nannaku Prematho and Rangasthalam. It is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under his banner, Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas. The film was formally launched in February 2022. Nani described Dasara as "pure raw, rustic, and adrenaline-rush of a film." The film is set in the backdrop of Singareni coal mines near Godavarikhani in Telangana. Casting 
Keerthy Suresh was cast as the female lead opposite Nani, which marks her second collaboration with him after Nenu Local, while Samuthirakani, Prakash Raj, Rajendra Prasad, Roshan Mathew, Sai Kumar, Zarina Wahab were signed on to play pivotal roles. Filming 
Principal photography commenced in March 2022. In April 2022, the makers shifted to Hyderabad to shoot a song. In July 2022, the third schedule commenced. The movie wrapped up shooting on 13 January 2023 and entered post production ahead of its 30 March release. Music

The film score and soundtrack album of the film is composed by Santhosh Narayanan. The music rights were acquired by Saregama. The first single titled "Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan" was released on 3 October 2022. The single "Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan" opened to positive reviews from many critics mainly praising the makeover of Nani and Santhosh Narayanan's unique composition. The second single titled "Ori Vaari" was released on 13 February 2023. The third single titled "Chamkeela Angeelesi" was released on 8 March 2023. The fourth single titled "Oh Ammalaalo Ammalaalo" was released on 24 March 2023. The fifth single titled "Cricket Rap" was released on 10 April 2023. == Release ==

Theatrical
Dasara was theatrically released on 30 March 2023. It was released in Telugu and dubbed versions in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages. The teaser of the film was released on 30 January 2023. Home media
The digital rights of the film have been acquired by Netflix. The film was premiered on Netflix on 27 April 2023 in Telugu and dubbed versions of Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada languages. The Hindi version of the film was premiered on 25 May 2023. Reception

Critical response 
Dasara received positive reviews from critics. Chirag Sehgal of News18 gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "Nani's swag is unbeatable, but the never-seen-before climax sequence will give you goosebumps and is a complete package. Besides Nani's killer expressions and top-notch action sequences, it is a visual treat too. The makers create magic on screen with this never-seen-before climax and it is worth all the wait." 123Telugu gave 3.25 out of 5 stars and wrote "Dasara is a gritty action drama that has Nani's outstanding performance. He shouldered the film all the way. Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty and Shine Tom Chacko also performed well. The film is quite good technically. Barring a few laggy portions in the second half, the film is a perfect choice to enjoy the weekend." Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Dasara is not the film that leaves you with a smile at the end of it all, it also doesn't reinvent the wheel. Could it have been better? Sure. But Srikanth Odela and Nani make this slow burn work. So, credit where credit is due." Raghu Bandi of The Indian Express gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Nani's Dasara is a heartfelt attempt from the makers, but falters due to poor narration. Can be watched for the authentic dialect, and raw and gritty performances from the lead". Avad Mohammed of OTTplay gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Dasara is Srikanth Odela's debut film and for a first time director, he has done an impressive job. Though his storyline is simple and does not have standout moments, the manner in which he sets the film in a unique world and creates rustic characters is the best part." Janani K from India Today gave the film 3 out of 5 stars & wrote "director Srikanth Odela's Dasara, starring Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Deekshit Shetty, is a visually stunning revenge drama. With some clichés, Dasara has its heart in the right place", further praising Nani. Sushmita Dey from Times Now gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, writing that, "the film's writing might seem to be smeared by conventional writing choices, which will remind us of some previous movies, but the performances by every single character, technical finesse, the strong drama, a beautiful bond like friendship, slick action sequences in the second half make it a 'paisa vasool' experience as a whole". Haricharan Pudipeddi from Hindustan Times reviewed the film positively, writing that, "while the Nani-starrer uses every trick in the book, it succeeds in sucking you into a world you haven't experienced before", further praising Nani & Suresh's performances & Odela's direction. Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Srikanth Odela makes an assured directorial debut with the Telugu film 'Dasara', exploring caste politics in a mainstream format, backed by good performances from the cast led by Nani and Keerthy Suresh". Mukesh Manjunath from Film Companion appreciated Odela's direction and world-building but criticized the writing; moreover he praised Nani's performance and Narayanan's music. Telangana Today heaped praise on the film and wrote, "Dasara is another celebration of Telugu commercial cinema, with raw emotions from Srikanth Odela and an incredible performance by Nani". References

External links 
 

2023 films
2023 action drama films
2020s buddy  drama films
2020s historical action films
Indian action drama films
Films shot in Telangana
Films set in Telangana
AA Films films
Indian buddy  drama films
Indian films about revenge
Indian historical action films
Films shot in Hyderabad, India
Films scored by Santhosh Narayanan
2020s Telugu-language films
2023 directorial debut films
Pan-Indian films
Period action films