Tyrone73H144 at 17:48, 3 March 2026

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{{short description|2019 Indian Telugu-language film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Mallesham
| image = Mallesham_Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Raj Rachakonda
| producer = Raj Rachakonda Sri Adhikari
| writer = Raj Rachakonda
| starring = [[Priyadarshi (actor)|Priyadarshi]] [[Jhansi (TV anchor)|Jhansi]] [[Ananya Nagalla]] [[Ananda Chakrapani]]
| music = Mark K. Robin
| cinematography = Balu Sandilyasa
| editing = Raghavender V.
| studio = Studio 99
| distributor = [[Suresh Productions]]
| released = {{Film date|2019|06|21|df=y}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget = {{INR|2.5 [[crore]]}}<ref name="sakshi">{{Cite web|date=2019-12-31|title=2019లో భారీ వసూళ్లు రాబట్టిన సినిమాలివే..|trans-title=Highest grossing films of 2019|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/roundup-2019-special-story-tollywood-movies-1252065|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Sakshi|language=te}}</ref>
| gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|5 crore}}<ref name="sakshi" />
}}

'''''Mallesham''''' is a 2019 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[biographical film]] based on the life of [[Chintakindi Mallesham]], written and directed by Raj Rachakonda. The film features [[Priyadarshi (actor)|Priyadarshi]] as Mallesham, alongside [[Jhansi (TV anchor)|Jhansi]], debutante [[Ananya Nagalla]] and [[Ananda Chakrapani]] in prominent roles. The film garnered positive reviews from critics upon release. Priyadarshi's performance in the film is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by ''[[Film Companion]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=100 Greatest Performances of the Decade|url=https://filmcompanion.in/best-of-the-decade/100-best-performances-indian-cinema.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219043509/https://www.filmcompanion.in/best-of-the-decade/100-best-performances-indian-cinema.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 December 2019|access-date=2020-11-14|website=[[Film Companion]]|language=en}}</ref>'' It also won the state Gaddar Award for Third Best Feature Film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/telugu/gaddar-telangana-film-awards-adivi-sesh-thanks-telangana-government-for-honouring-major-expresses-gratitude-to-mahesh-babu-article-151755732|title=Gaddar Telangana Film Awards: Adivi Sesh Thanks Telangana Government For Honouring Major, Expresses Gratitude To Mahesh Babu|date=May 30, 2025|website=Times Now}}</ref>

== Plot ==
This biopic of Padma Shri awardee [[Chintakindi Mallesham]] is essentially a tale of a man going to great lengths to ease the pain of his mother, and several other women like her. The mother, Lakshmi (Jhansi), runs the home and something more — winds threads over a four-foot, v-shaped ‘asu’ continuously. It is a thankless pre-loom step, before her husband Narasimhulu (Ananda Chakrapani) can use the weft and warp and give life to ikat fabric on his loom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2019-06-20 |title='Mallesham' review: A indie-spirited biopic is a heart-warming portrayal of tenacity and triumph |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mallesham-review-a-indie-spirited-biopic-is-a-heart-warming-portrayal-of-tenacity-and-triumph/article28084956.ece |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Priyadarshi (actor)|Priyadarshi]] as [[Chintakindi Mallesham]]
*[[Jhansi (TV anchor)|Jhansi]] as Lakshmi
*[[Ananya Nagalla]] as Padma, Mallesham's wife
*[[Ananda Chakrapani]] as Narasimhulu
*[[Gangavva]] as a home owner
*[[Jagadeesh Prathap Bandhari]] as Anji
*Durgaprasad K as Electrician Kiran
*[[Anvesh Michael]] as Raju
*Jayasri Rachakonda as Dr. Indira, gynecologist
*[[Thiruveer]] as Veera Pratap
*[[Laxman Aelay]] as Padma's father
*[[Thagubothu Ramesh]] as a drunkard
*[[Dheer Charan Srivastav]] as Abdul
}}

== Production ==
Short film director Raj made his directorial debut with this film.<ref name="N">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2019/jul/25/the-making-of-mallesham-2009048.html|title=The Making of Mallesham|website=The New Indian Express|date=25 July 2019 }}</ref> He had seen the [[TED talk]] by [[Chintakindi Mallesham]] and wanted to create a film about Mallesham.<ref name="H">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/artist-laxman-aelay-and-chintakindi-mallesham-hold-forth-on-the-biopic-mallesham/article27949174.ece|title=Behind the scenes of 'Mallesham', the Telugu biopic on an ikat weaver|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|date=15 June 2019|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Carl Zeiss super-speed lenses were used to shoot the film as Raj wanted the film to feel like [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Susman (film)|Susman]]'' (1987). The film was shot in Revanapally and the crew stayed in the village for a year to shoot the film.<ref name="N"/> [[Laxman Aelay]] was signed as the head of art production after a hiatus of almost 25 years. His last work was ''[[Nirantharam]]'' (1995). He helped the crew by referring local artisans to the team. His drawings of weavers were used as references for the crew.<ref name="H"/> The trailer released on 29 May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/priyadarshis-mallesham-trailer-is-here-and-its-promising/articleshow/69563874.cms|title=Priyadarshi's 'Mallesham' trailer is here and it's promising!|website=The Times of India|date=29 May 2019 }}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Mallesham
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Mark K Robin
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2019
| recorded = 2019
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]
| length =
| label =
| producer = Mark K Robin
| prev_title = [[Suryakantham (film)|Suryakantham]]
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = [[Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya]]
| next_year = 2019
}}
The songs were composed by Mark K Robin.
{|class="wikitable"
! Song title !! Lyricist !! Singer(s)
|+Original track list (Telugu)
|-
| "Dhana Dhana Dhann" || [[Goreti Venkanna]] || [[Anurag Kulkarni]]
|-
| "Naaku Nuvvani" || [[Chandrabose (lyricist)|Chandrabose]] || Sri Krishna, [[Ramya Behara]]
|-
|"Oho Jambiya" || Goreti Venkanna || Goreti Venkanna, Rahul SipliGunj
|-
|"Aa Challani" || Dasaradhi || Anurag Kulkarni
|-
|"Kotha Kotha Ga" || Goreti Venkanna || Sri Krishna & Ramya Behara
|-
|"Amma Deevena" || Chandrabose || Sri Krishna
|-
| "Amma Deevena" (Instrumental) || ||
|-
| "Entha Maaya" || Ashok Peddinti || Ramya Behara
|-
| "Sethikochina Biddi" || Chandrabose || Anurag Kulkarni
|}

== Release ==
''The Times of India'' gave the film four out of five stars and stated that "The film delivers what it promises – the story of a common man who dared to find a practical solution to the issue at hand, a man anyone can relate to. Director Raj Rachakonda needs to be lauded for this".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/mallesham/movie-review/69885094.cms|title=Mallesham Movie Review {4/5}: A biopic pulled off well|work=The Times of India}}</ref> ''The New Indian Express'' stated that "And yes, Raj deserves applause for churning out a film which has its heart in the right place. Priyadarshi’s complete ownership of the role is what elevates this film a few notches higher."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/jun/22/mallesham-movie-review-a-heart-warming-and-inspiring-story-1993768.html|title='Mallesham' movie review: A heart-warming and inspiring story|website=The New Indian Express|date=22 June 2019 }}</ref> ''The Hindu'' wrote that "This indie-spirited film is a heart-warming portrayal of tenacity and triumph".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mallesham-review-a-indie-spirited-biopic-is-a-heart-warming-portrayal-of-tenacity-and-triumph/article28084956.ece|title='Mallesham' review: A biopic that spells hope|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|date=20 June 2019|work=The Hindu}}</ref> The movie is successful at the box office.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/roundup-2019-special-story-tollywood-movies-1252065 | title=Biggest Hits in 2019: Box Office Collections Wise | Telugu Hit Movies List in 2019 - Sakshi }}</ref>

=== Digital release ===
The film has a theatrical release and digitally released on [[Netflix]].

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Date of ceremony
!Award
!Category
!Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
!Result
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="4" |28 March 2020
| rowspan="4" |Critics Choice Film Awards
|Best Actor – Male
|Priyadarshi
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 March 2020|title=Critics Choice Film Awards 2020: Complete nominations list|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-film-awards-2020-complete-nominations-list-6295588/|access-date=10 March 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|date=28 March 2020|title=Critics' Choice Film Awards 2020: Complete winners list|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-film-awards-2020-complete-winners-list-6336210/|access-date=29 March 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
|-
|Best Actor – Female
|Jhansi
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Director
|Raj Rachakonda
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Film
|''Mallesham''
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |11 January 2020
| rowspan="2" |[[Zee Cine Awards Telugu]]
|Special Appreciation
|''Mallesham''
|{{won}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 January 2020|title=Zee Cine awards Telugu 2020: Samantha Akkineni, Chiranjeevi and Nani win top laurels|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/zee-cine-awards-telugu-2020-samantha-akkineni-chiranjeevi-and-nani-win-top-laurels/story-IIb1IjGUKhrdscXkxVOI2I.html|access-date=12 January 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
|-
|Best Story
|Raj Rachakonda, Peddinti Ashok Kumar
|{{won}}
|-
|[[9th South Indian International Movie Awards|18 September 2021]]
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
|Best Debutant Producer – Telugu
|Studio 99
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=SIIMA 2021 Full Winners List: Mahesh Babu – Rashmika Mandanna Win Best Actor And Actress Award |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/siima-2021-full-winners-list-mahesh-babu-rashmika-mandanna-win-best-actor-and-actress-award-4968951/ |website=India.com |date=20 September 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[9th South Indian International Movie Awards|18 September 2021]]
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
|Best Debutant Actress
|[[Ananya Nagalla]]
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[9th South Indian International Movie Awards|18 September 2021]]
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
|Best Debutant Director
|Raj R
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[9th South Indian International Movie Awards|18 September 2021]]
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
|Best Debutant Producer
|Studio 99 (Raj R & Sri Adhikari)
|{{won}}
|
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|9742362}}

[[Category:2019 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:2019 films]]
[[Category:Films set in Telangana]]
[[Category:Films shot in Telangana]]

Mallesham - Revision history

Tyrone73H144 at 17:48, 3 March 2026