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Naani
Film poster
Directed byS. J. Suryah
Written byS. J. Suryah
Sobhan (Dialogues)
Produced byManjula Ghattamaneni Lawrence Ram (Assistant Director)
StarringMahesh Babu
Amisha Patel
Devayani
CinematographyK. V. Guhan
Edited byA. Sreekar Prasad
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
company
Release date
  • 14 May 2004 (2004-05-14)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budgetest.₹12 crore[1]

Naani is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language science-fiction romantic comedy film directed by S. J. Suryah and starring Mahesh Babu in a dual role as father and son, alongside Ameesha Patel and Devayani. The film is a bilingual, simultaneously shot in Tamil as New with a slightly different cast and features music composed by A. R. Rahman. Made on a budget of ₹12 crore, the film released on 14 May 2004. It was a disaster at the box office.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Naani is a mischievous eight-year-old boy who is always troubling his mother. His mother scolds him for his behaviour, such as when he eats toothpaste or wets his bed. Naani falls down on the road one day, and a young woman helps him. Naani's elder brother plans to watch a movie with his friends in the absence of their parents, and Naani demands to join him, which his brother does not allow. Angered, Naani cuts off the power, which creates a short circuit at home. Naani's mother scolds him and shouts at her husband for not stopping with one child. This hurts Naani, and he runs away from home to jump into a river. But he is stopped by an old man who takes Naani to his place. The old man introduces himself as a scientist who has his own laboratory. He insists that Naani help him in his research. Naani agrees, and the scientist uses his research to transform him into a young adult man. Naani starts to live as a young man physically, but remains a child mentally. He stays away from his family. The only person other than the scientist who knows the truth is his childhood friend. Naani meets a girl (Priya) at a park who helped him once when he fell down. Naani helps remove dust from her eyes, smiles at her, and leaves. The girl is attracted to him and looks for him.

Naani goes for a job interview at a toy manufacturing company. The owner who interviews him demands that he think like a child to understand children's tastes. Naani gets the job easily. The company falls into the hands of the owner's daughter, who turns out to be Priya. Priya is happy to see Naani in her company. Their friendship makes Raj (another employee) jealous. Naani overcomes Raj's idea for a new type of bed for kids and introduces his own idea. Naani meets his brother as an anonymous man and hears that their mother is depressed over Naani's disappearance. Naani meets his mother, who had fallen ill. Naani asks the scientist to change him back. The scientist complies, and Naani reconciles with his mother. That night, he changes back into the young man, shocking the scientist.

Naani lives as an eight-year-old boy during the day and as a twenty-eight-year-old man (Vijay aka Vichu) at night. Priya expresses her love, but Vichu tells her to love a man suitable for her age. The scientist tells Vichu to accept Priya. Priya asks him to accompany her to a matinee. Young boy Naani cannot appear. He sees Priya angrily waiting for Vichu at the theatre while going home with his mother. Naani's mother befriends Priya, and Priya comes to like Naani. Priya gets angry at Vichu's absence. She finally decides to marry Vichu. Raj kidnaps him on the wedding day, but then Vichu becomes Naani. The kidnappers release him. Naani becomes Vichu and marries Priya that evening. Vichu knows nothing about marital life.

Naani somehow manages his mother by disappearing at night. Priya needs a child, so she intentionally shows her skin to Vichu, who responds, and they have sex. Priya becomes pregnant. Vichu once meets his mother and understands the difficulties of pregnancy for a woman. Naani's child friend demands to play with him, but Naani's schedule is too complicated. Naani slaps his friend to make him angry and reveals the truth to Priya. Priya is shocked to hear that she is bearing the child of a child.

Priya argues with Vichu for marrying her and making her pregnant, but Vichu blames her arrogance for involving him. Naani turns into Vichu in front of her, shocking Priya. Vichu reveals that he loves her. Priya now goes into labour, and Vichu takes her to the hospital. On the way, Vichu is stopped by Raj's men seeking revenge. Vichu overcomes them. Everybody learns the truth about Naani and Priya as she gives birth to their son.

Twenty years pass. Naani reaches twenty-eight. He lives with Priya as her husband. He goes inside his room as Naani and comes out as a forty-eight-year-old Vichu, father of a twenty-year-old son.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

After the success of Kushi (2000) and its Telugu version Kushi (2001), Suryah began pre-production work on a third story titled New (2004).[4] During the process, he felt that making the story into a bilingual film with a Telugu version would help the film's finances and that Mahesh Babu was a perfect fit for the main role.[5] Hence, production began for the Telugu version, Naani, as well.

Soundtrack

[edit]
Naani
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released2 April 2004
RecordedPanchathan Record Inn
GenreFeature Film Soundtrack
ProducerA. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman chronology
New
(2004) 		Naani
(2004) 		Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
(2004)
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Naani Vayase"Veturi, Blaaze (English lyrics)Karthik, Vijay Prakash, Blaaze, Sunitha Sarathy, Tanvi Shah4:33
2."Chakkera"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryS.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan5:53
3."Vasta Nee Venuka"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryHariharan, Harini5:34
4."Pedave Palikina"ChandraboseUnnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam4:24
5."Spiderman"VeturiKunal Ganjawala, Gopika Poornima5:59
6."Markandeya"VeturiShankar Mahadevan, Nithyasree Mahadevan6:12
7."Naaku Nuvvu"Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, Blaaze (English lyrics)Hariharan, Gopika Poornima4:11
Total length:36:56

Reception

[edit]

Jeevi of Idlebrain.com rated the film two out of five, writing, "the movie suffers from artificialness and [a] bad script."[6] A critic from Sify wrote that "The film has far too many double entendres and crude gags" and added that "One wonders if the film is from the sane S.J.Suryah who made a wholesome entertainer like Kushi".[3] A critic from IANS rated the film two-and-a-half out of five and wrote that "It is interesting fare for viewers who crave for different movies. Unfortunately, the Telugu audience has rarely patronised films with non-heroes or anti-heroes".[7] A critic from Full Hyderabad wrote that "Overall, Naani has the half-baked feel of a shabby music video. The tale is definitely told, but it lacks a lot of character".[8] The Tamil version performed well, while the Telugu version was not as strong commercially.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Naani

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Naani is a Indian Telugu-language directed by and starring in a as an 8-year-old boy and his adult alter ego, alongside and . The story, loosely inspired by the 1988 Hollywood Big starring , follows a young boy who, after attempting due to frustration with his , is transformed into an adult by a scientist's invention, leading to comedic and romantic adventures in a before complications arise from reverting to his child form. Released on 14 May , the features music composed by , with notable tracks like "Vastha Nee Venuka" sung by Hariharan and Harini, and was produced by Mahesh Babu's sister under . Shot simultaneously in Tamil as New with a slightly altered cast, Naani marked one of Rahman’s early forays into but received mixed reviews and emerged as a commercial disappointment at the . Despite its underwhelming performance, the highlighted Mahesh Babu's versatility in a fantastical role and included supporting performances by actors like in a romantic subplot opposite the adult protagonist.

Development

Conception

The conception of Naani originated from director S. J. Suryah's vision to adapt the 1988 Hollywood comedy Big, starring Tom Hanks, into an Indian context, resulting in the bilingual Tamil-Telugu project comprising the Tamil film New and its Telugu counterpart Naani. Suryah, who had previously directed the successful Tamil-Telugu bilingual Kushi (2001), wrote the screenplay and decided to produce a simultaneous Telugu version after identifying Mahesh Babu as ideal for the lead role, which required the actor to portray both a child and an adult in a fantastical transformation narrative. The project was announced in late 2002 under the production banner of , led by , Mahesh Babu's sister, marking her second venture after Show (2002). In an , Mahesh Babu described the film as inspired by the basic concept of Big, emphasizing its entertainment value with humor and emotional layers to engage audiences for the full runtime. Suryah tailored to incorporate elements resonant with Telugu viewers, such as heightened family interactions and comedic scenarios, while preserving the core theme of a mischievous child's transformation into adulthood. Produced on an estimated budget of ₹12 , significant resources were allocated to to realize the dual-role performance and magical elements central to the story. This phase highlighted Suryah's intent to blend science-fiction whimsy with , adapting the Hollywood inspiration for regional sensibilities without altering the fundamental plot of growth and self-discovery.

Casting

Mahesh Babu was cast in the lead dual role as the 8-year-old Naani and his adult alter ego Vijay, leveraging his rising popularity following the commercial success of Okkadu (2003). His selection emphasized his ability to handle both comedic and emotional sequences in this science-fiction romantic comedy remake. Ameesha Patel made her Telugu film debut as the female lead Priya, chosen for her established screen presence from Hindi hits like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), with the role tailored to highlight chemistry with Babu akin to the original film's dynamic. Negotiations focused on her availability despite her busy Hindi schedule, and she committed to the project to expand into South Indian cinema, overcoming language challenges through dubbing. The supporting cast included as Naani's mother Indira Devi, providing emotional depth to the family narrative. portrayed Satyam, contributing humor through his comic timing, while played the doctor, adding authority to key scientific elements. as Simham and Sunil as Vishwanath offered , enhancing the film's lighthearted tone. Challenges arose in synchronizing child actors' performances for sequences depicting the young Naani, requiring multiple auditions to match the film's fantastical elements.

Synopsis and cast

Plot

Naani is a mischievous 8-year-old boy who frequently troubles his mother, Indira, leading to constant scoldings. Frustrated, he runs away from home and attempts by jumping into a river. He is rescued by scientist Manohar, who has invented a machine capable of altering a person's physical age while preserving their . Naani uses the device and transforms into a 28-year-old man named Vijay (also known as Vijju), but retains the mindset of an 8-year-old child. As Vijay, Naani secures a job at a company owned by Rajendra Varma. There, he meets and falls in love with Priya, Varma's daughter, sparking a romance filled with comedic mishaps due to his childish behavior clashing with his adult appearance. Naani must revert to his child form each night, creating challenges in maintaining his . Complications arise when Priya discovers the truth about his dual existence, leading to emotional conflicts, but they eventually reconcile after overcoming obstacles, including interference from antagonists. The story explores themes of maturity, love, and family through its blend of and elements, ultimately resolving with Naani embracing his transformed life.

Cast

The principal cast of Naani is led by , who performs a as the childlike Naani and his adult Vijay (also known as Vijju), portraying both innocence and the challenges of sudden maturity in the film's narrative. stars opposite him as Priya, the romantic interest. plays Indira Devi, Naani's mother, bringing emotional depth to the family dynamics. appears as the scientist Manohar, central to the story's premise, while Nassar portrays Rajendra Varma, adding layers of conflict. Comedic elements are enhanced by supporting actors including as Naani's uncle, as Shankar, Sunil as Raju, and Venu Madhav as Venkat.
Actor/ActressRole
Naani / Vijay a.k.a. Vijju
Priya
Indira Devi (Naani's mother)
Scientist
NassarRajendra Varma
Naani's uncle
Shankar
SunilRaju
Venu MadhavVenkat
Raju's father
SudhakarPriya's father
Priya's mother
The key crew includes director , who helmed the bilingual project shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. Producers and Sanjay Swaroop presented the film under . Cinematography was handled by , capturing the blend of everyday and fantastical elements, while editing was done by . Mahesh Babu's dual role presented significant challenges, requiring him to convincingly shift between a youthful, impulsive persona and an adult's emotional range, earning praise for his authentic histrionics in pathos-driven sequences. Veteran performers like and contributed to the dramatic tension, while and provided comic relief through their seasoned timing in lighter moments.

Production

Filming

Principal photography for Naani began in early 2003 in Hyderabad, utilizing local studios to facilitate the film's science-fiction sequences involving . The production captured a blend of urban and rural settings across Hyderabad and rural to reflect the story's diverse environments. Key sequences, such as the transformation scenes, were filmed using green screen technology at , while Mahesh Babu's dual role as an 8-year-old boy and his adult alter ego necessitated split-screen techniques. The film was shot simultaneously in Tamil as New with a slightly altered cast, requiring coordinated schedules for bilingual production. Talkie parts wrapped by July 2003. Casting decisions, including Mahesh Babu's dual portrayal, influenced the shooting logistics by requiring precise coordination for composite shots.

Post-production

The post-production phase of Naani involved meticulous editing and technical enhancements to blend its science-fiction elements with romantic comedy tones. Editor A. Sreekar Prasad worked to streamline the footage, resulting in a final runtime of approximately 160 minutes that balanced narrative pacing across the film's dual-role premise and fantastical transformations. Visual effects were a key component, handled by Penta Media Graphics Ltd., with supervision from Narasimhan, Sabeshan, and Alagar. The team incorporated CGI sequences to depict the story's inventive sci-fi devices and youthful rejuvenation effects, drawing inspiration from early Hollywood benchmarks for seamless integration into live-action footage. Sound design was overseen by C. Sethu, who integrated effects for the film's communicative gadgets and atmospheric enhancements, ensuring synchronization with A. R. Rahman's score. This work was finalized ahead of the May 2004 release, contributing to the immersive quality of the scientist's invention sequences. Final color grading refined the visual palette to emphasize the film's whimsical tone, while dubbing efforts prepared the Telugu original for its Hindi version, titled Naani - The Magic Man, broadening its accessibility across regions.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Naani was composed by and consists of seven songs that incorporate romantic melodies, upbeat pop rhythms, and rap elements to complement the film's narrative. Released on 25 March 2004 by , the album marked Rahman's second venture into following and was launched with significant anticipation due to the composer's reputation and the starring cast. The track listing features a diverse set of compositions, including the opening youthful anthem "Naani Vayase" sung by Karthik, , , Sunitha, and , which sets a vibrant tone; the energetic "Chakkera" performed by and ; the tender romantic duet "Pedave Palikina" by and ; the soulful "Vastha Nee Venuka" by Hariharan and Harini; the melodic "Naaku Nuvvu" featuring Hariharan and Chinmayi; the lively "Ennallalo" by Tippu and Mathangi; and the rap track "Spider Man" by . Lyrics were primarily written by Veturi Sundararama Murthy, with contributions from and Chandrabose, emphasizing themes of love, youth, and adventure. Rahman collaborated with a roster of prominent playback singers during the recording sessions, including veterans like and Hariharan, to infuse the tracks with emotional depth and energy suitable for the film's dual-role protagonist dynamic. While the album received mixed reception upon release, with critics noting that Rahman's unconventional arrangements required time to appreciate, tracks like "Pedave Palikina" gained popularity for their catchy hooks and were highlighted in contemporary reviews as standout romantic numbers.

Background score

A. R. Rahman composed the original background score for Naani, blending orchestral and electronic elements to underscore the film's sci-fi tension, comedic sequences, and sentimental moments. Key musical cues include the alien arrival theme, characterized by pulsating synthesizers to build ; emotional father-son motifs rendered with lush strings for heartfelt depth; and dynamic percussion-driven tracks for action sequences that heighten the energy. These elements were tailored to the narrative's fantastical premise, emphasizing wonder and emotional resonance without dominating the visuals. The score was recorded in professional studios in after principal photography wrapped, utilizing a live to achieve rich, layered textures and sonic depth. Rahman introduced innovations such as custom instruments and processed sounds to create immersive soundscapes for the alien language and otherworldly effects, enhancing the film's unique atmosphere. Critics and audiences noted the score's subtlety in supporting the film's pacing, allowing dialogues and performances to remain prominent while subtly amplifying emotional beats and transitions. This approach contributed to the overall immersive experience of the sci-fi comedy.

Release

Theatrical release

Naani was released worldwide on 14 May 2004, coinciding with , a major Telugu festival marking the sun's transit into Taurus. It was released in Telugu and simultaneously in Tamil as New. A dubbed version titled Naani – The was later released.

Marketing and promotion

The promotional campaign for Naani focused on leveraging the star power of and the film's unique sci-fi elements to generate buzz in the early 2000s landscape. Pre-release trailers were strategically screened alongside other films to capitalize on his established fanbase and introduce the story's fantastical premise to audiences. These trailers highlighted the and magical transformation, creating intrigue around the remake's adaptation of the Hollywood classic Big. A key event was the audio launch on March 25, 2004, held at Screen 5 of Prasads Multiplex in Hyderabad, which drew prominent industry figures including (ANR), Krishna, D. Rama Naidu, , , Keerti Reddy, Aswini Dutt, and . The grand function, featuring live performances and speeches, significantly boosted media coverage and heightened anticipation for the film's release. Song promotions were aggressive on radio and television, with the track "Naani Vayase" prominently featured in advertisements to embed the film's catchy tunes in public consciousness. The soundtrack, composed by , played a crucial role in building hype through these channels. Star-driven campaigns included interviews with and , where they discussed the remake's fresh take on the body-swap with Telugu cultural nuances and enhanced . Posters emphasized the sci-fi visuals, showcasing Babu in both childlike and adult forms against futuristic backdrops, distributed across urban centers. The promotion encompassed billboards in major cities like Hyderabad, , and .

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 2004, Naani garnered mixed reviews from critics, who praised 's sincere and versatile performance in the of the childlike and his adult counterpart, while critiquing the film's predictable plot—largely a of the Hollywood classic Big—and uneven pacing, particularly in the comedy sequences. The innovative incorporation of elements into was acknowledged as a bold , though some found the contrived and lacking originality. Jeevi of rated the film 2 out of 5, highlighting the boring first half and stating that "the movie suffers from artificialness and bad script," but noting that the provided some engaging moments despite the overall flaws. A review from fullhyd.com described Naani as having "the half-baked feel of a shabby ," with despairingly fake elements, yet commended as "the only sane in the flick," whose efforts lent credibility to the central character's emotional arc. Sify noted the presence of double entendres and crude gags, questioning the director's choice given his previous work. IANS rated it 2.5 out of 5, calling it interesting but unlikely to appeal to Telugu audiences. The critical consensus positioned Naani as average fare, with an approximate rating of 2.75/5 across major outlets, appealing primarily to audiences for its lighthearted, wish-fulfillment premise despite its shortcomings.

Box office performance

Naani had a disappointing performance despite the anticipation surrounding Mahesh Babu's involvement. Made on a reported budget of ₹12 , the film opened to modest collections and failed to capitalize on its release timing. The movie grossed approximately ₹4 worldwide, marking it as a commercial disaster and one of Mahesh Babu's early setbacks. The underwhelming run was attributed to mixed affecting word-of-mouth, alongside from other Telugu releases that year. The film's family-oriented appeal and soundtrack did little to boost footfalls beyond initial curiosity driven by Babu's stardom.

Legacy

Awards and nominations

Naani received limited recognition in the Telugu film industry, primarily for its technical aspects, but did not secure major awards or nominations.

Cultural impact

Naani contributed to Mahesh Babu's reputation for versatility in through his as an 8-year-old boy transformed into an adult, an underrated performance that highlighted his ability to blend innocence with maturity in a fantasy setting. The film, loosely inspired by the Hollywood classic Big, introduced elements of science-fiction to Telugu audiences, though it received mixed commercial reception. Despite its flaws, Naani remains a notable entry in early 2000s for experimenting with age-transformation tropes, influencing perceptions of genre-blending in regional filmmaking.

References

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/naani/movieshow/61316081.cms
  2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-mahesh-babu-5-underrated-performances-of-the-greek-god-of-telugu-cinema/photostory/77394691.cms
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/
  4. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-nani.html
  5. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/its-raining-flops-on-tollywoods-parade/articleshow/752026.cms
  6. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/did-you-know-ramya-krishnan-who-played-mahesh-babus-mother-in-guntur-kaaram-romanced-him-on-screen-20-years-ago/articleshow/122680017.cms
  7. https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview_mahesh1.html
  8. https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/2003-year-of-all-time-hits-mega-failures-for-tollywood-103122601064_1.html
  9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/ameesha-patel-ready-for-a-new-beginning/articleshow/28683580.cms
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/281948-naani/cast
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/fullcredits/
  12. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/naani/cast-crew.html
  13. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/281948-naani
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/plotsummary/
  15. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/naani/story.html
  16. https://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news238.html
  17. https://www.ragalahari.com/movies/info/483/naani-cast-crew.aspx
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/companycredits/
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2S0CDlF6J0
  20. https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-nani.html
  21. https://www.samperals.net/index.php?resources/nani-telugu-2004-aditya-music.3449/
  22. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/naani/QbHNaUrR9tI_
  23. https://www.moviecrow.com/movie/1006/naani/songs
  24. https://groups.io/g/arrahmanfans/topic/nani_audio_review_idlebrain/68427658
  25. https://www.beatzo.net/blog/2004/05/underrated-ar-rahman-album-for-the-day-and-a-letter/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/soundtrack/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376787/releaseinfo/
  28. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/naani.html
  29. https://movies.fullhyderabad.com/naani/telugu/naani-movie-reviews-1031-2.html
  30. https://www.sify.com/movies/naani-review-telugu-pclv3chjcidih.html
  31. https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/492/telugu/naani/179/review.htm
  32. https://filmyfocus.com/web-stories/from-debut-film-till-now-list-of-all-mahesh-babus-films-their-bo-collection
  33. https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/celebrities/107608-mahesh-babu-super-flops-films-before-sarkaru-vaari-paata-spyder-naani-brahmotsavam.html
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