Sarrainodu Scores in the U.S. & India

Regional films from India continue to perform strongly in the U.S., with Telugu action-romance Sarrainodu as the latest success. Starring Allu Arjun, Aadi Pinisetty, Rakul Preet Singh and Catherine Tresa and directed by Boyapati Srinu, the film raked in $678,000 in three days on 154 screens in the U.S.

Released on 950 screens across Telugu states in India, the film produced by Allu Aravind’s Geetha Arts collected an estimated 28.65 crore ($3.2 million). Across all India the receipts totaled approximately 40 crore ($6 million). That was the biggest opener of Arjun’s career, beatingS/O Satyamuthy and Race Gurran, and the third best debut for a Telugu release this year behind the Pawan Kalyan starrer Sardaar Gabbar Singh and writer-director Sukumar’s Nannaku Prematho.

Tamil star Vijay’s action drama Theri, director Vamsi Paidipally’s Oopiri, a Telugu remake of French blockbuster The Intouchables, and director K. S. Ravindranath’s Telugu action movie Sardaar Gabbar Singh have earned tidy sums in the U.S. and internationally this year. Director Atlee Kumar’s Theri, which stars Vijay in the dual roles of a cop and a doting father, together with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Mahendran, Amy Jackon and Radikaa, amassed 156.23 crore ($23.5 million) in its first week worldwide and is heading for 200 crore ($30 million).

In Sarrainodu, Arjun (nicknamed Bunny) plays Gana, an army officer and son of chief secretary of the state. Disillusioned, he quits his job then meets and falls in love with the young MP Hansitha Reddy (Catherine Tresa), but she initially rejects him.  The Chief Minister’s son Vairam Dhanush (Aadi Pinisetty) steals land from farmers and sells it to the industrialists by misusing his father’s position. After Vairam kills a friend of Arjun’s father and holds his daughter hostage, Arjun vows revenge.

Critics found the story clichéd but saw plenty to admire in the lead performances. “Bunny is at his energetic best in the film. As always she showed his mettle in dances and fights, shouldered the film totally,” said Filmfare.com’s Mohan Rao.  “Catherine Tresa plays the role of MLA and is more of a glam girl. Aadi Pinisetty deserves a special mention here. He is superb as a baddie and should be commended for attempting such negative role.”