The film was officially launched on 6 February 2017 and principal photography began a week later. The trailer was launched on 24 November 2017, along with an audio launch held by PRK Audio company.[2][3]
Anjani Putra was released on 21 December 2017 to mixed reviews from critics and became a commercial success at the box office.[4][5][6]
Plot
Viraj "Raja" is the heir of a cloth manufacturing company named Raj Group, who gets disowned by his mother and matriarch of his joint family Anjana Devi due to some misunderstanding. Years later, Viraj is now working as a moneylender leading a life with his friends Chikka and Karimale, where he also falls in love with a rich girl named Geetha. At a theatre, Raja saves a newly transferred ASP Surya Prakash and his wife from a group of North Indian killers who work for Bhairava, a Pollachi-based businessman and hitman as Surya Prakash was transferred to investigate Bhairava's client case.
Bhairava also plans to illegally grab land sold to a village temple by Raja's late father Muthuraju. These two incidents cause enmity between Raja and Bhairava. When the land is formally sold to the temple, an irate Bhairava orders his henchman to assault Raja's uncle Satyaraju. Anjana Devi realizes her mistake of misunderstanding Vasu and reunites with him. Raja learns about the incident and thrashes Bhairava's henchmen. Later, Bhairava tries to attack Raja, but Raja thrashes him in full view of the public.
Assisted by Surya Prakash and Geetha, Raja subdues Bhairava's attempts to destroy his family by capturing the North Indian killers, leading to Bhairava's arrest warrant being issued. During the temple festival, Bhairava's second wife stabs Anjana Devi with a venomous knife, but Anjana Devi survives the attack. Enraged, Raja rushes to Jodhpur and kills Bhairava and his hitman friend Raj Thakur. Raja returns home and joins with his family along with Geetha and her family for a family photo.
Ravi Basrur had composed the soundtrack and film score for the film. The audio was sold to PRK Music owned by Puneeth Rajkumar and was released on 24 November 2017, alongside the launch of PRK Music. The tune of "1234 Shille Hodi" was also used in Basrur's previous film Bilinder.[7][8]
The satellite and digital rights of the film were sold to Udaya TV and Sun NXT.[9]
Reception
Anjani Putra received mixed reviews from critics.
Critical response
S. Shyam Prasad of Bangalore Mirror gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Harsha has hit the bull's eye and Anjaniputra has all the hallmarks of becoming his biggest box office register."[10] Prakash Upadhyaya of IBTimes gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Anjani Putra is not a nail-biting, but it is high on entertainment."[11] A. Sharadhaa of Cinema Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Though a familiar plot, director Harsha has done a fairly decent job. This is a film truly dedicated to Puneeth Rajkumar’s fans by Harsha, who is himself a big fan of the star."[12]
Mayur Javali of Filmibeat gave 3/5 stars and wrote "A decent one time watch for the family audience and a power packed feast for the fans of Powerstar."[13] Sunayana Suresh of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Anjaniputhraa may not be one of the most compelling commercial films of the year, but it does have its moments that are more than worth it for die-hard Appu fanatics to make a beeline at the cinema halls."[14] Manoj Kumar. R of The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Neither Harsha's experience in delivering engaging commercial films or Puneeth Rajkumar's onscreen presence could save Anjaniputra from its own basic sins."[15]
