Konda Polam (transl. Hillside farm) is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language Jungle adventure film[2] directed by Krish Jagarlamudi. Produced by First Frame Entertainments, it stars Panja Vaisshnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh while Sai Chand, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Nassar play supporting roles. The film is an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Sannapureddy Venkata Rami Reddy.[3] Konda Polam was released on 8 October 2021 and ended up as a commercial failure.[4][5]

Konda Polam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKrish Jagarlamudi
Screenplay byKrish Jagarlamudi
Story bySannapureddy Venkata Rami Reddy
Based onKonda Polam (novel)
by Rami Reddy
Produced bySaibabu Jagarlamudi
Rajeev Reddy
StarringPanja Vaisshnav Tej
Rakul Preet Singh
CinematographyGnana Shekar V. S.
Edited byShravan Katikaneni
Music byM. M. Keeravani
Production
company
Distributed byBridge Films (India)
Great India Films (United States)
Dreamz Entertainment Limited (United Kingdom)
Release date
  • 8 October 2021 (2021-10-08)
Running time
142 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Box office₹8.1 crore[1]

"Dham Dham Dham" from the film won National Film Award for Best Lyrics for Chandrabose at the 69th National Film Awards.

Plot

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Kataru Ravindra Yadav "Ravi" has passed the Indian Forest Service exam conducted by UPSC with top marks. During the interview, in Delhi, the panel asks why he wants to join the Indian Forest Service.

In the past, Ravi was the only educated man in his village of shepherds, but he couldn't find a job despite searching for 4 years in Hyderabad due to his lack of confidence. Finally, upon his grandfather's insistence, he decided help his father's profession because his father did not allow Ravi's newly-married elder brother to do so. So he allowed Ravi to come with him.

During the drought, the situation forces them to take the sheep to forests for pastures to feed the sheep and water to drink for 40 days (This system is called Kondapolam). At first, he is a scared fish out of water amidst the shepherds in the forests and hills they travel through. However, he meets Obulamma "Obu," a fearless and kind young orphan woman staying with her grandfather, who helps him learn about shepherding and nature along with the other shepherd Their journey is hazardous as they face tigers, sandalwood smugglers, goat thieves, limited food and water supplies, and the risk they might not find a suitable environment for the goats to graze Ravi learns quickly and uses his newfound skills to fight these threats.

Eventually, Ravi and Obu fall in love, but Ravi's father insists that he stay away from her due to his unemployment and remembers him, her grandfather's wish that Obu should be married to a stable job person so he rejects her advances.

Finally, Ravi comes face to face with the tiger and, reflecting on his previous lack of initiative, bravely stands up to it and makes it flee.

Back in the interview, Ravi explains that his experience with the tiger gave him a confidence that wasn't in his life before, and later he got the corporate job he dreams for but he was not satisfied with the job he got and he resigns it prepared for IFoS because he wants to serve in the Forest Service to help his village and solve their problems and to protect Forest. Leaving the interviewers impressed, he is made a DFO and returns to his village amidst pomp and splendor. He then declares his love for Obu and the two embraces.

Cast

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Production

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Konda Polam novel was recommended to Krish by Director Mohan Krishna Indraganti. After reading this novel he decided to make a film on this. In 2020, Krish acquired the rights of novel by Sannapureddi Venkata Ramireddy. He adapted the novel into a theatrical extravaganza, casting Panja Vaishnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead.[8] In September 2020, it was reported that Rakul Preet Singh resumed the shooting of the film which was being shot in Vikarabad, Telangana forest. This film's major part was shot during lockdown 1 under biobubble with limited cast and crew.[9] In an interview Krish said, “During famines, many people from the shepherding community go to forest areas along with their sheep for their livelihood. This process is called 'Konda Polam'. We will be showcasing this adventurous journey very clearly in this film.” In the novel there is no character called Obulamma; he wrote the character for the film, to get into a commercial template he added.[10]

Soundtrack

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Konda Polam
Soundtrack album by
Released2 October 2021
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length25:10
LanguageTelugu
LabelMango Music
M. M. Keeravani chronology
12 'O' Clock
(2021)
Konda Polam
(2021)
Pelli SandaD
(2021)
Official audio
Konda Polam - Full Album on YouTube

The soundtrack is composed by M. M. Keeravani and lyrics are penned by M.Keeravaani, Chandrabose and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. "Obulamma" first track of the soundtrack was released on 27 August 2021 by Mango Music.[11] "Shwaasalo" the second song was released on 30 September.[12][13]

Soundtrack album was launched in an event held at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh on 2 October 2021.[14][15] Shreya Ghoshal and M. M. Keeravani's collaboration is back for the song "Chettekki" after a decade. She rendered "Chiranjeeva" for 2011 film Badrinath composed by him.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Obulamma"M. M. KeeravaniSatya Yamini, PVNS Rohit3:36
2."Tala Etthu"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryM. M. Keeravani, Harika Narayan, Sri Soumya Varanasi3:09
3."Dham Dham Dham"ChandraboseRahul Sipligunj, Damini Bhatla4:38
4."Kadhalu Kadhaluga"M. M. KeeravaniKailash Kher, Yamini Ghantasala3:56
5."Daarulu Daarulu"Sirivennela Seetharama SastryM. M. Keeravani, Harika Narayan2:48
6."Shwaasalo"M. M. KeeravaniYamini Ghantasala, PVNS Rohit3:31
7."Chettekki"ChandraboseKaala Bhairava, Shreya Ghoshal3:32
Total length:25:10

Reception

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The film received mixed to positive reviews. Critics commended the unique story, visuals and acting, with the use of body language and eyes being particularly noticed. However, the pacing and length of the film were criticized, with the need for certain scenes and a musical duet being questioned.[16][17][18] Commercially, the film lost money in theatres but recovered its budget from satellite and streaming rights, with Amazon Prime Video buying the film's streaming rights for ₹3.5 crore.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Kondapolam Final Total WW Collections". Andhraboxoffice. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Kondapolam". British Board of Film Classification. KONDAPOLAM is a Telugu language action thriller in which a man recalls his time living in the wild as he interviews for a job that would help him protect the forest that he loves.
  3. ^ "Vaishnav Tej-Rakul Preet Singh movie titled Konda Polam". The News Minute. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  4. ^ Janani K (23 August 2021). "Rakul Preet unveils her character Obulamma from director Krish's Konda Polam. Watch promo". India Today. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. ^ Vyas (14 October 2021). "Box-Office Report: Konda Polam encounters big losses!". The Hans India.
  6. ^ "Konda Polam: Title and first look of Panja Vaishnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh's film revealed". Times of India. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Rakul Preet unveils first look of her character in director Krish's Konda Polam". The News Minute. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Krish Bought The Rights Of Konda Polam". Great Andhra. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  9. ^ Janani K (23 September 2020). "Rakul Preet resumes shoot for Krish's film in Vikarabad. See leaked photos from the sets". India Today. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  10. ^ Rajeswari Parasa (5 October 2021). "Konda Polam is about an adventurous journey undertaken by shepherds: Dir Krish intv". The News Minute. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  11. ^ Obulamma Video Song - Kondapolam Movie - Vaisshnav Tej - Rakul Preet Singh - M M Keeravaani - Krish. Mango Music. YouTube. 27 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Kondapolam Album by M. M. Keeravani". Jiosaavn. 2 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  13. ^ Venkat (30 September 2021). "Shwaasalo From Konda Polam: Soulful Odyssey". Great Andhra. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Konda Polam Brings Back Audio Launch Events Trend". Great Andhra. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ Kondapolam Audio Launch Event - Vaisshnav Tej - Rakul Preet Singh - Krish - MM Keeravani - Oct 8th. First Frame Entertainments. YouTube. 2 October 2021.
  16. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (8 October 2021). "'Konda Polam' movie review: Life lessons from the wild". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  17. ^ "Konda Polam review: Multiple conflicts, shoehorned romance dilute the effect of Krish's man vs wild movie". Hindustan Times. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Konda Polam Movie Review: A unique tale of a boy and a tiger", The Times of India
  19. ^ Vyas (21 October 2021). "OTT Saved Konda Polam!". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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