Mukunda released worldwide on 24 December 2014, on the eve of Christmas. The film received positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly Varun Tej and Pooja Hegde), dialogues, songs and background score besides criticizing the screenplay, editing and slow pace of the film.[2] The film was success at the box office. Later the film was dubbed into Hindi as Dushman No.1 and it was also dubbed in Tamil and Malayalam in the same title.
Mukunda is a college-going student who goes to any extent for his friends. One day, his best friend falls in love with the daughter of a powerful municipal chairman. Things take an ugly turn when Mukunda enters the scene and decides to go against the chairman and his power. The rest of the story is about how he wins and inspires others.
C. Aswini Dutt approached Puri Jagannadh to prepare a script and direct the debut film of Naga Babu's son Varun Tej.[3] The project failed to materialize and subsequently, Puri Jagannadh produced and directed that script which was titled Heart Attack starring Nithin and Adah Sharma.[4]Srikanth Addala was confirmed to direct the film in late January 2014.[5][6] The film was announced to be shot in the locales of Kerala and East Godavari.[7] The film was formally launched at Hyderabad on 27 February 2014.[8] The film was confirmed to be produced by Nallamalapu Srinivas and Tagore Madhu jointly on Leo Productions banner.[9]Mickey J. Meyer was announced as the film's music director while V. Manikandan was announced as the Director of photography.[10] The film's opening ceremony was aired live on MAA TV which was the first time ever for a Telugu film.[11]Pooja Hegde confirmed the film's title as Gollabhama in early June 2014.[12] The film's title was changed in early August 2014 with Mukunda Murari being the possible title.[13] However, on Krishnashtami, the makers renamed the film as Mukunda.[14]
Casting
"I was blown away by Srikanth Addala's narration and he has great clarity about what he wants. That sort of makes our job easy on the sets. I'm glad that I have got a chance to play a different character compared to my role in my debut film and my role is one of the key elements in the film."
Prior to this film, Varun Tej underwent training in acting skills under the supervision of Satyanand who trained Varun's uncle Pawan Kalyan.[16] Either of Akshara Haasan and Parineeti Chopra was rumored as the film's female lead.[17]Pooja Hegde was finalized as the film's female lead later.[18]Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh and Nassar were confirmed to appear in crucial roles during the film's launch.[10] Varun Tej was reported to be seen as a volleyball player in the film in late March 2014.[19]Allu Arjun was reported to make a cameo appearance in the film in mid June 2014.[20] The film's unit confirmed those reports as rumors later.[21]Sekhar Kammula was reported to make a cameo appearance in the film.[22][23]
Filming
Principal photography was supposed to start from 15 March 2014 in Kerala.[24] The filming began on 24 March 2014 at Cochin.[25] The film was reported to be shot in the locales of Alappuzha.[26] Varun Tej suffered a fracture during the filming of an action sequence at Alleppey and shooting resumed after his recovery.[27] On its completion, the next schedule began in Konaseema.[28] The film was shot in places like Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, Samalkota and adjoining areas for four weeks.[29][30] The film was also shot in areas like Pollachi, Kanyakumari and Yanam in early June 2014.[31] The schedule ended almost after 33 days on 4 July and the team returned to Hyderabad.[32][33] A new schedule began at Hyderabad on 29 July on whose completion, the filming continued in Amalapuram from 5 August.[34]
By then, the film entered dubbing phase.[35] Varun Tej began dubbing for his role in late August 2014 and by then, filming neared completion except for few songs.[36] At Amalapuram, a crucial scene featuring Varun Tej, Rao Ramesh and Pooja Hegde was shot where Varun Tej was seen taking part in a municipal election campaign visiting several houses in the locality to create awareness among the people.[37] After shooting the film there for 10 days, a song was shot on the lead pair in Switzerland.[38] The schedule ended on 16 September 2014.[39] In mid November 2014, Srikanth Addala said that the remaining part of the film would be shot in Hyderabad and a big set is being planned for a song.[40] The last song was shot in a special set erected at Nanakramguda in mid December 2014.[41] Pooja Hegde confirmed that the filming came to an end on 16 December 2014.[15]
The soundtrack was expected to be launched in September 2014 initially.[44] The release was postponed to November 2014.[45] The release date was later finalized as 3 December 2014.[46]Shilpakala Vedika was announced as the venue on 2 December and also, a song teaser was unveiled as a part of promotion.[47]Chiranjeevi attended the audio launch along with Allu Arjun as the chief guests and unveiled the soundtrack.[48]
Release
Theatrical
The film's overseas theatrical distribution rights were acquired by Asian Movies and CineGalaxy, Inc.[49] The film was initially scheduled for a Sankranthi release, in mid January 2015.[50] However, the film's release was advanced to 25 December 2014 as a Christmas release to avoid clash with Gopala Gopala.[51] The film was awarded an U/A certificate by Central Board of Film Certification on 19 December 2014 and the release date was locked as 24 December 2014.[52][53] The film released in 75 theaters across United States and premiere shows were held on 23 December 2014.[54] The film however clashed with Chinnadana Nee Kosam which released in equal number of theaters across the world.[55]
Marketing
The film's first look posters featuring Varun Tej were unveiled on 21 August 2014.[56] The first look teaser was unveiled by Varun Tej on 2 September 2014.[57] A video teaser of the song Chesededo featuring Varun Tej was unveiled a month later on 2 December 2014.[58] A new trailer was unveiled on 6 December 2014.[59]
Home media
The film's satellite rights were acquired by Zee Network.[60] The original Telugu-language version of the film was premiered on television on 19 April 2015 on Zee Telugu.[61][62]ZEE5 and Amazon Prime Video acquired the digital rights for streaming the film.[63][64]
Apart from Telugu, the film had dubbed versions in Hindi (titled Dushman No.1), Tamil, and Malayalam.[65]
Reception
Critical response
The film received positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly Varun Tej and Pooja Hegde), dialogues, songs and background score besides criticizing the screenplay, editing and slow pace of the film.[2] Y. Sunitha Chowdary of The Hindu wrote "Since most of the story centres on the debate and dialogue, rather than an expected logical ending, it is likely that many regular cine goers will go home dissatisfied. But for those who appreciate truth, facts of life and intelligent conversations, this is a film smartly interspersed with action and village politics for today’s youth".[66]
Hemanth Kumar of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Every once in a while there comes a film, which stands apart from the rest in terms of the subject it explores and the tone of narrative, although the nuances might not be blatant. You know it's different because it tries to break free from the template of an action comedy, a genre that has become synonymous with Telugu cinema these days. Mukunda is exactly that kind of film and much more. It's a film which is so aware of the milieu that it's exploring that you get sucked into the narrative to have a ringside look at the complex characters that inhabit the canvas the story unfolds on."[67] Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle rated the film 3 out of 5 and stated "Finally it’s not a regular commercial film, a typical Srikanth Addala kind of film, without the double meaning dialogues and vulgarity".[68]
Box office
Mukunda grossed over ₹4 crore on its opening day from Telugu regions alone.[69] The film was a success at the box office.[70]
