Zombie Reddy

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Zombie Reddy
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPrasanth Varma
Screenplay byScriptsville
Story byPrasanth Varma
Produced byRaj Sekhar Varma
Starring
CinematographyAnith Madadi
Edited bySai Babu Talari
Music byMark K. Robin
Production
company
Apple Trees Studios
Distributed byGeetha Arts
Siily Monks
Release date
  • 5 February 2021 (2021-02-05)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹4 crore[1]
Box officeest. ₹10.33 crore[1]

Zombie Reddy is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language zombie action comedy film directed by Prasanth Varma, and stars Teja Sajja, Anandhi, and Daksha Nagarkar. Produced by Apple Trees Studios, the film is marketed as the first zombie film in Telugu cinema.[2] Set in the district of Kurnool, the film is partially based on COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The film was released on 5 February 2021.[4][5] following its acquisition on Aha it premiered on 26 March 2021.[6]

Plot

Mario is a game designer from Hyderabad who, along with his friends Bhadram and Maggie, develops a successful video game. However, they soon discover a bug that causes the game to crash at higher levels. Mario contacts Kalyan, the programmer, for help, but Kalyan informs them he is getting married and invites them to Kurnool district, promising to fix the code after his wedding.

Kalyan’s father-in-law, Bhooma Reddy, is a chieftain who rules the village of Rudravaram and hides his violent ways and weapons until Kalyan marries his daughter Pushkala. Nandini Reddy, daughter of Bhooma's close aide Bukka Reddy, also arrives for the wedding. As Mario and his friends drive to Rudravaram, they accidentally hit a man who bites Bhadram before being taken away by an old man. Further on, they encounter Veera Reddy, Bhooma's arch-rival, who tries to kill them, but they escape. Mario learns Veera Reddy plans to kill Kalyan after the wedding, but Kalyan dismisses his warnings.

Bhadram's condition worsens as he transforms into a zombie, spreading the virus to others. Bhooma Reddy investigates the virus while Mario's efforts to stop the wedding are thwarted by Nandini. On the wedding night, Veera Reddy's men kidnap Kalyan. Mario and Nandini argue until they witness a zombie attack and lock themselves in a house with Maggie and Kasi Reddy, managing to escape by tricking the zombies.

The group tries to rescue Kalyan from Veera Reddy's house, where it is revealed that Nandini is actually Sailaja Reddy, Veera Reddy's daughter, sent as a spy. They escape with Kalyan, but Veera Reddy and Sailaja follow. Veera Reddy is attacked by zombies, and a grief-stricken Sailaja joins forces with Mario. During the escape, Kasi is trapped, and Maggie is bitten, forcing Mario to flee heartbroken.

Mario remembers the old man from earlier and confronts him, discovering a hidden lab and the original zombie. The old man, a disgraced virologist, reveals he created the zombie virus while developing a COVID-19 vaccine. The old man tries to show Mario the cure's location, but the zombie kills him before Bhooma Reddy rescues the others. Mario learns the cure is near a temple symbol.

On their way to the temple, Sailaja realizes she was scratched by the original zombie, but Mario insists on bringing her. They find Veera Reddy alive at the temple. Initially furious, Bhooma Reddy and Veera Reddy join forces to hold off the zombies. As Sailaja begins to turn, Mario discovers the cure in water from a Shiva Lingam. He lures the zombies into the water, curing them.

Mario is hailed as a hero for stopping the virus, and both families, along with a cured Maggie and Bhadram, joyfully reunite.

Cast

Production

The film was officially announced on 8 August 2020 by releasing a motion poster of the film.[7][8][9] The film is Prasanth's third film after Awe and Kalki.[10] The music is composed by Mark K. Robin who is known for his works in 2019 film Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya.[11] The film is Sajja Teja's debut film as a lead actor.[12][13]

Soundtrack

Zombie Reddy
Soundtrack album by
Mark K. Robin
ReleasedFebruary 5, 2021 (2021-02-05) (Jukebox)
Recorded2020–2021
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length15:48
LanguageTelugu
LabelAditya Music
ProducerMark K. Robin
External audio
audio icon Audio Jukebox on YouTube

All music is composed by Mark K. Robin

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."GO Corona" (Chorus : PVNS Rohit, Hymath, Harika Narayan, Sahithi Chagunti, Sony Komanduri)Mama SinghMama Sing, Sri Krishna, Anudeep2:45
2."Zombie Reddy Theme" (Chorus : Anudeep Dev, PVNS Rohit, Raghuram Dronavajjala)Mama SinghMama Singh2:25
3."Burn down"Harika NarayanHarika Narayan 
4."Game of Life"Mama SinghTharun Jain, Manmohan Raj, Mark K. Robin 
5."Natu Kodi"NagendharaMark K. Robin 
6."Mruthyunjaya"Shiva Shakthi DathaKaala Bhairava 
Total length:15:48

IndiaGlitz stated about "GO Corona" single that "This song is 2020 in a nutshell. The rap draws material from some of the most popular memes of the year when the pandemic played havoc. The very title of the song is drawn from a notoriously funny slogan that a political leader gave. And there is a smattering of meme-worthy stuff like 'Aipayee', which was triggered by a spiritual sermon. Modi's call for lighting diyas and clapping for COVID warriors also gets a comical interpretation. The rap is enjoyable, while the singers immerse do their job well. Sri Krishna, Anudeep Dev, PVNS Rohit, and Hymath are the chorus singers. The female ones are Harika Narayan, Sahithi Chagunti, and Sony Komanduri."[14]

Release

The film was released on 5 Feb 2021. It collected a gross of ₹2.26 crore (equivalent to ₹2.5 crore or US$300,000 in 2023) on its first day of release.[15]

Home media

The digital rights of the film were acquired by Aha, while the satellite rights were purchased by Star Maa. It was premiered on 28 March 2021, and registered an average TRP rating of 9.72.

Reception

Critical response

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote that "In one stroke, director Prasanth Varma juxtaposes different worlds — a pandemic looming large, zombies, Rayalaseema faction rivalry — to hilarious effect. Zombie Reddy is a satirical potpourri replete with pop culture references at every turn."[16]

Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India stated "Zombie Reddy does have its moments, and all the cast, including Teja, Anandhi and Daksha, seem to have fun with what they're offered. This is not a bad film by any means, if only Prasanth had not gone down the predictable route, it would've been something more."[17] Hemanth Kumar from Firstpost gave 3 out of 5 stars and stated "Zombie Reddy is the first zombie film in Telugu cinema and to its credit, it does a fairly good job in simplifying the storytelling to the bare essentials."[18] A review from The Hans India rated the film 3 stars of 5 and wrote: "Zombie Reddy makes a decent attempt to entertain the audiences."[19]

Box office

The film collected a gross of ₹2.26 crore (equivalent to ₹2.5 crore or US$300,000 in 2023) on its first day of release.[15]

Sequel

After the success of the film, a sequel titled Zombie Reddy: Revenge of the Dead is in development.

References

  1. ^ a b "Zombie Reddy Day 6 Collections: Teja Sajja's Film Roars At Box Office". Sakshi Post. 11 February 2021. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  2. ^ FC, Team (5 December 2020). "Teaser of Prasanth Varma's Zombie Reddy: The First Bite Is Pretty Cool, And Has Corona References Too". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  3. ^ India, The Hans (5 December 2020). "'Zombie Reddy', a fusion Of 'Covid-19' and 'Zombie' themes". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Zombie Reddy, Helmed By Prasanth Varma, All Set To Be Released In Theatres On February 5!". in.style.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Zombie Reddy postponed to February". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Stream Zombie Reddy on Aha Video". Aha. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Prasanth Varma reveals why his next film is titled Zombie Reddy - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Prasanth Varma's next is 'Zombie Reddy'". The Hindu. 8 August 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Awe director Prasanth Varma's next, Zombie Reddy". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Prasanth Varma's Third Film Is Titled 'Zombie Reddy'!". Sakshi Post. 8 August 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Prasanth Varma's new film titled Zombie Reddy". Telugu Cinema. 8 August 2020. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Samantha Akkineni launches the teaser of Prasanth Varma's Zombie Reddy - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  13. ^ "502 Bad Gateway". www.inkvilla.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Zombie Reddy Music review songs lyrics". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Zombie Reddy First Day Box Office Collections". Sakshi Post. 6 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  16. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (5 February 2021). "'Zombie Reddy' movie review: When the zombies attack Seema". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Zombie Reddy Movie Review: A desi zombie film complete with factionalism and lots of drama", The Times of India, archived from the original on 29 September 2022, retrieved 8 February 2021
  18. ^ "Zombie Reddy movie review: Prashant Varma's zombie comedy adds a fun twist to an action-packed family drama". Firstpost. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  19. ^ hansindia (5 February 2021). "Zombie Reddy Movie Review & Rating {3/5}". www.thehansindia.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 6 February 2021.
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