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Sankham
Poster
Directed bySiva
Screenplay bySiva
Dialogues by
Story bySiva
Produced byJ. Bhagavan
J. Pulla Rao
StarringGopichand
Trisha
Sathyaraj
CinematographyVetri
Edited byGautham Raju
Music byS. Thaman
Production
company
Sri Balaji Cine Media
Release date
  • 11 September 2009 (2009-09-11)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Box office₹20 crore

Sankham (transl. Conch) is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film produced by J Bhagavan, J Pulla Rao under Sri Balaji Cine Media banner and written and directed by Siva. Starring Gopichand, Trisha and Sathyaraj, the music was composed by S. Thaman.

The film follows a Chandu, an NRI living in Australia with his uncle and friend. When Chandu's girlfriend Mahalakshmi is forcefully taken to India by her violent family members, he arrives in India to marry her but is assigned a task that would eventually pull him into an ages-old feud with the rival village and lead him to the discovery of his true identity.

The film was released theatrically on 11 September 2009. The film was also dubbed and released in Hindi as Phir Ek Most Wanted, in Bhojpuri as Baghi Balma and in Tamil as Sivappu Saamy.

Plot

[edit]

Chandu (Gopichand) is a rich, rough youth brought up by his uncle Krishna Rao (Chandra Mohan) in Australia. Mahalakshmi (Trisha) stays in Australia along with her uncle Pichaiah (Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam), who runs a restaurant. Chandu is fond of martial arts, but he never gets a chance to exhibit them in real situations. Mahalakshmi is another martial arts freak. After a few misunderstandings, they fall in love. One day, Mahalakshmi is forced to come back to her hometown in Rayalaseema. Chandu comes in search of her. Meanwhile, Sivaiah (Sathyaraj) and his archenemy, Mahalakshmi's father Pashupati (Kota Srinivasa Rao) are the rich leaders of two neighboring villages, in Rayalaseema. They have longtime enmity. Chandu comes to Mahalakshmi's village and asks her hand in marriage. Though Pashupati's sister opposes this, Pashupati agrees based on one condition, that Chandu must escort his brother from railway station to home safely. The brother Rajappa (Supreeth), has been on a 25-year self-imposed exile from the district, due to his life being under threat of Sivaiah and his entire village. Chandu agrees and does so, beating 30 men of Siviah on the way. Then Chandu is challenged to go to Siviah alone to his house. While walking in Sivaiah's house, he is beaten up badly by Sivaiah's men that he laid at the door of the house. When Sivaiah saw his face, he recognized Chandu and rushed him to the hospital where he is saved. The incident reached to Chandu's uncle who flew to India. Uncle Krishna Rao is shocked to see Chandu with Sivaiah and proceeds to tell Chandu about his parents. Sivaiah is actually Chandu's father. 23 years ago, there was a big feud between village for sharing water, in which multitude of lives were lost in clashes. Sivaiah's wife pleads him to stop the fight, to which he pays no heed. She gives birth to twins, but one child and her parents are killed in a car-bomb, before her very eyes. This makes her to take Chandu and go to her native. After 2 years, she has a change of heart and comes to meet Sivaiah. As they are about to reconcile, Rajappa ambushes Sivaiah, and kills his wife before his eyes, despite his pleas. He sent Chandu with the uncle and has paid for all of his expenses since then. Chandu then joins Sivaiah as his heir, and the rest of the story is how he defeats both Pashupati and his brothers. However, Pashupati and his brother hatched up a plan and killed Sivayya. Just before he died, Sivayya requested Chandu to take over his legacy where Chandu accepted. In retaliation, Sivayya henchmen went to killed Pashupati henchmen. Chandu enter the factory where he fights and kills Pashupati's brother, thus avenging his family's death. He then leaves Pashupati to be lynched by the villagers and leave the factory. In the end, Chandu reunite with Mahalakshmi.

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Sankham
Soundtrack album by
S. Thaman
Released19 August 2009
Recorded2009
GenreSoundtrack
Length24:01
LabelAditya Music
ProducerS. Thaman
S. Thaman chronology
Eeram
(2009) 		Sankham
(2009) 		Jayeebhava
(2009)

Music composed by S. Thaman. Music released on Aditya Music Company.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mahalakshmi"Ramajogayya SastryKarthik, Haricharan, Ranjith, Megha, Janani, Priya Himesh, Divya, Geetha Madhuri, Rita4:30
2."Dhakku Dhakku"BhaskarabatlaKK, Rahul Nambiar, Priya, Megha, Priyadarshini4:15
3."Maamu"Ramajogayya SastryUdit Narayan, Manikka Vinayagam4:18
4."Dheeradhi"Acharya SrisheshamPushpavanam Kuppuswamy, Ranjith4:51
5."Ie Baboi"BhaskarabatlaRanjith, Naveen, Priya Darshini3:56
6."Sankham"Acharya SrisheshamKarthik, Ranjith, Naveen, Rahul Nambiar, Sathyan, Vasu1:52
Total length:24:01

Reception

[edit]

Sankham received mixed reviews from critics. Jeevi of Idlebrain rated it two out of five, calling it "a clichéd film".[1] A critic from Rediff.com wrote that "On the whole, Siva churns out a mass movie which may fare well in the B and C centres. It can be watched for Gopichand if you can bear the tedium of time and action and a cliched storyline".[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Sankham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sankham is a Indian Telugu-language film written and directed by Siva. Produced by J. and J. Pulla Rao under the Sri Balaji Cine Media banner, it stars Gopichand, , and , with music composed by S. Thaman. The film follows Chandu (Gopichand), an NRI in , who travels to after his girlfriend Mahalakshmi () is taken back by her family. He becomes entangled in a village feud and discovers his true heritage as the son of Sivaiah (), seeking revenge for his family's tragedy. Released on 11 2009, Sankham received mixed reviews for its clichéd storyline but performed well commercially, grossing ₹20 at the .

Development and production

Announcement and development

Sankham was directed and written by , who handled the story and screenplay in collaboration with dialogue writer . The narrative drew inspiration from established tropes in , including rural family feuds as seen in films like Aadi and Chatrapati, blended with NRI romance elements common to the genre. This approach aimed to create a balanced appeal, targeting class audiences in the initial segments while escalating to mass-oriented action and emotions later. The film was produced by J. Bhagavan and J. Pulla Rao under the Sri Balaji Cine Media banner and positioned as a mass entertainer combining , and drama. It marked the second consecutive project for Siva and lead actor Gopichand, following the commercial success of their prior collaboration . The audio launch event, held on August 19, 2009, at Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, highlighted the producers' commitment to meeting Gopichand's conditions for a high-quality production. During , the technical team was assembled with Vetri Palanisamy, known for his work on dynamic visuals, and editor to handle pacing. The estimated production budget aligned with mid-range Telugu films of the era, supporting elaborate action sequences and six-song compositions by S. Thaman. Siva Nageswara Rao's script development emphasized intertwining emotional family revenge themes with light-hearted romantic elements, ensuring a narrative that resonated with Telugu audiences' preferences for familial drama amid commercial flair. This creative focus guided the , prioritizing authentic rural and dynamics without delving into overly complex subplots.

Casting

Gopichand was selected to play the protagonist Chandu, capitalizing on his established action-hero persona from previous successes like (2008). Trisha Krishnan was chosen as the female lead Mahalakshmi, representing her return to Telugu cinema after a three-year hiatus since (2006), with producers highlighting the anticipated on-screen chemistry between her and Gopichand. Sathyaraj was cast as Sivaiah, Chandu's father, drawing on his extensive experience in the Tamil film industry to portray an authoritative patriarch figure. The supporting cast included Chandramohan as Krishna Rao, Chandu's uncle; as the antagonist Pashupati; Supreeth as Rajappa; Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam as Pichaiah; and comedians and Krishna Bhagavan for roles, aligning with the film's action-comedy that favored versatile performers.

Filming

Principal photography for Sankham took place primarily in , with key schedules in Hyderabad and , . The production spanned locations in for sequences depicting the protagonist's NRI life, including two songs featuring leads Gopichand and , filmed in from June 21 to , , and choreographed by Sobhi. Village feud scenes were captured on sets at and surrounding areas in Hyderabad. Action sequences highlighting Gopichand's stunts were integrated throughout, aligning with director Siva's vision for realistic action in his follow-up to . The romantic portions in leveraged urban landmarks for visual appeal, while the climax fight was set against a rural village backdrop in . Cinematographer Vetri Palanisamy handled the visuals, contrasting the vibrant Australian settings with the gritty rural Indian tones. Editing by ensured balanced pacing between comedy, drama, and action elements. The international schedule required coordination between the Indian crew and Australian locations, though specific production hurdles like weather disruptions in India were not publicly detailed.

Story and characters

Plot summary

Sankham is a 2009 Telugu-language action drama film directed by Siva, centering on themes of love, identity, and familial vengeance in the backdrop of rural factionalism. The story follows Chandu, a carefree non-resident Indian (NRI) raised in Australia by his uncle Krishna Rao following the presumed death of his parents in childhood. Living a peaceful life in Sydney, Chandu falls deeply in love with Mahalakshmi, a fellow Indian expatriate residing nearby with her relatives; their budding romance blossoms through shared moments, but it is abruptly shattered when Mahalakshmi's conservative family forcibly returns her to their village in Kadapa, India, to arrange her marriage to someone else. Determined to win her hand, Chandu travels to , where he uncovers a shocking revelation about his heritage: he is the biological son of Sivaiah, a prominent faction leader in the village who is revealed to be alive, contrary to what Chandu believed about his parents' death. Unbeknownst to Chandu initially, is Mahalakshmi's father, making their love a forbidden union entangled in the generational blood feud that has plagued the two families for decades. To prove his worth, tasks Chandu with bringing back his exiled brother Rajappa from hiding. As Chandu grapples with this identity twist, he is drawn into the vortex of rural vendettas, receiving guidance from Sivaiah and facing relentless threats from 's gang, all while Mahalakshmi pleads for peace amid the escalating tensions. The narrative builds to an explosive climax in a high-stakes confrontation, where Chandu unleashes his inherited resolve to dismantle 's dominance, avenging Sivaiah's death—which occurs during the events—through intense action sequences that highlight the perils of factionalism, including killing Pashupati's brother and leaving Pashupati to be lynched by villagers. Ultimately, Chandu triumphs over the rivals, secures his union with Mahalakshmi, and ends the long-standing conflict. The film's —romantic setup in , revelatory confrontation in , and action-driven finale—interweaves light-hearted from supporting characters to balance the dramatic intensity.

Cast

The principal cast of Sankham features Tottempudi Gopichand in the lead role of Chandu, a cheerful non-resident Indian (NRI) skilled in and raised abroad, who undergoes a profound transformation into a vengeful son driven by familial legacy. Trisha Krishnan plays Mahalakshmi, the independent love interest who manages a restaurant and navigates tensions arising from entrenched family traditions. Sathyaraj portrays Sivaiah, Chandu's biological father and a faction leader, whose guidance shapes the central conflict before his death. Chandramohan enacts Krishna Rao, the supportive uncle who raises Chandu in and provides emotional guidance throughout his journey. Kota Srinivasa Rao embodies Pashupati, the ruthless village antagonist whose actions intensify the longstanding feud at the story's core. In supporting roles, Supreeth appears as Rajappa, a key figure in the antagonistic camp whom Chandu must escort from exile. Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam plays Pichaiah, serving as a ally and Mahalakshmi's uncle who operates the restaurant. Ali and Krishna contribute in comedic supporting capacities, adding levity through their portrayals of ancillary characters involved in humorous interludes.

Soundtrack

Music composition

The music for Sankham was composed by S. Thaman, marking one of his early major projects in following his debut with Malli Malli earlier in 2009 and his prior role as an assistant to on several films. Thaman's rising prominence in the industry stemmed from his extensive assistant work, which honed his skills in crafting energetic scores suited to action and mass-appeal narratives. The soundtrack's audio release event took place on 19 August 2009 at Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, where it was noted that Thaman had composed six songs for the film, aimed at achieving chartbuster status. The lyrics were penned primarily by Bhaskarabhatla Ravindra, with additional contributions from , focusing on accessible, mass-oriented melodies to complement the film's themes. Key tracks featured vocalists including Karthik, Ranjith, KK, Rahul Nambiar, Megha, and Priyadarshini, whose performances added vibrancy to the romantic and upbeat numbers. The complete album runs for approximately 23 minutes, encapsulating Thaman's signature rhythmic style in his nascent phase as a lead composer. Thaman's background score emphasized dynamic elements to enhance the film's action sequences and emotional transitions, though specific recording details beyond the song vocals remain limited in available production accounts.

Track listing

The soundtrack album of Sankham, composed by S. Thaman, features six original tracks released under the label.
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1MahalakshmiKarthik, Megha, Janani4:30
2Dhakku DhakkuKK, Megha, Priyadarshini, Rahul Nambiar4:15
3Maamu, 4:18
4DheeradhiRanjith, 4:05
5Ee BaboiRanjith3:45
6Shankam ThemeNaveen, Ranjith, Rahul Nambiar1:51

Release

Theatrical release

Sankham was released theatrically worldwide on 11 September 2009. The film received a U/A certification from the owing to depictions of mild violence. In Telugu-speaking regions, distribution was managed by Sri Balaji Cine Media, while the film was later dubbed in Tamil as Sivappu Saamy and released on 7 January 2011. Premiere events took place in Hyderabad, with the film's mass-oriented elements aimed at B- and C-center audiences. The runtime stands at 2 hours 35 minutes (155 minutes), and the production experienced no significant delays leading up to the release. The preceding audio launch helped generate pre-release anticipation.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing and promotion of Sankham centered on leveraging the audio launch to generate initial buzz, with subsequent efforts emphasizing the film's action elements, romantic appeal, and international filming locations. Promotional trailers debuted at the audio launch event on 19 August 2009, held at Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, where they highlighted Gopichand's intense action sequences and Trisha's glamorous portrayal to captivate audiences. The production team partnered with Aditya Music, the film's audio label, for widespread song promotions through radio spots and live events, while posters prominently featured the exotic Australia shoot locations to underscore the NRI-themed narrative. Star-driven initiatives included promotional interviews by Trisha that spotlighted the film's NRI romance angle to appeal to urban viewers. Overseas efforts were limited but targeted the Telugu diaspora in Australia and the US through select media outreach and community events, capitalizing on the film's partial setting in Australia. The soundtrack contributed to early buzz by receiving positive feedback at the launch, aiding overall pre-release interest.

Reception

Critical response

Sankham received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, who praised its action sequences but criticized the predictable plot and weak comedy elements. Idlebrain.com rated the film 2.5/5, commending the action choreography for its high-energy stunts involving vehicles but faulting the storyline for being overly clichéd and the comedy for falling flat. Rediff.com described Sankham as a "routine mass entertainer" targeted at B and C centers; the review highlighted Gopichand's energetic performance and dialogue delivery while noting Trisha's underutilization, particularly in the second half where her role diminishes significantly. Other outlets echoed similar sentiments, with GreatAndhra rating it 2.75/5 and praising Trisha's performance and Ali's comedy as highlights, though it panned the direction for relying on outdated clichés and lacking narrative innovation. On IMDb, the film holds an average user rating of 4.9/10 based on 230 ratings, reflecting broad disappointment with its formulaic execution. The critical consensus positions Sankham as entertaining for fans of conventional Telugu action-dramas, particularly in its blend of romance and family feuds, but faulted for lacking originality and depth in storytelling. The soundtrack fared slightly better, with some reviewers noting its peppy tracks as a minor highlight amid the film's shortcomings.

Box office

Sankham registered a worldwide gross of approximately ₹20 crore, largely attributed to its strong opening in Andhra Pradesh fueled by Gopichand's stardom. The commercial verdict for Sankham was average to flop, as it recovered only 60-70% of its budget and underperformed relative to Gopichand's successful 2009 release Wanted. It achieved a 50-day theatrical run in select centers but failed to reach the 100-day milestone, with its release timing clashing with other major Telugu films contributing to the subdued performance.

References

  1. http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-sankham.html
  2. https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/south-telugu-movie-review-shankam/20090911.htm
  3. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-sankham.html
  4. https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-sankham.html
  5. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2009/Jul/24/sankham--shooting-in-progress-70733.html
  6. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/reviews/2009/sankham-film-review-140909.html
  7. https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-gopichand-comes-back-with-shankam/20090910.htm
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649404/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2009/sankham-shoot-sydney-030709.html
  10. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2009/Jul/30/sankham-shooting-in-progress-at-rfc-72594.html
  11. https://www.greatandhra.com/movies/reviews/sankham-review-low-sound-16046
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649404/plotsummary/
  13. https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-telugu-movie-review-shankam/20090911.htm
  14. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/shankam/cast-crew.html
  15. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/composing-music-for-a-pawan-kalyan-film-is-my-dream-come-true-says-ss-thaman/articleshow/81614962.cms
  16. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/585344-s-thaman
  17. https://music.apple.com/us/album/shankam-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/931710532
  18. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/shankam/V6wJ10puh8g_
  19. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/shankam.html
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649404/
  21. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/sivappu-samy.html
  22. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2009/sankham-audio-launch-260809.html
  23. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2009/Aug/24/sankhams-audio-unveiled-80051.html
  24. https://archive.org/stream/The_Austin_Chronicle-2009-10-02/The_Austin_Chronicle-2009-10-02_djvu.txt
  25. https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-telugu-movie-review-shankam/20090911.htm
  26. https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/S/Sankham/Sankham_review.html
  27. https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Sankham
  28. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2009/Dec/29/2009-the-year-of-big-flops--small-hits-117158.html
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