Contents

Bruce Lee: The Fighter

Development

Srinu Vaitla narrated a storyline to Ram Charan in late March 2014 and post the latter's approval, Vaitla planned to start work on the film's script after completing Aagadu (2014).^[1] D. V. V. Danayya, who produced Ram Charan's Naayak (2013), announced in late July 2014 that he would produce this film under the banner Universal Media and the pre-production works would begin soon. The production was expected to start in November 2014.^[2] The film was shelved post the release of Aagadu and was revived in late October 2014.^[3] After returning from a holiday in Kerala, Charan gave his nod in early December 2014 and Vaitla was busy giving final touches to the script which was said to be a fast paced action comedy.^[4]

Charan informed the media that the film's production would commence in February 2015.^[5] My Name is Raju, a phrase picked up from the popular song of Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990) starring Chiranjeevi and Sridevi, was considered as the film's title.^[6][7] The makers announced that the film would be a family drama and would be bankrolled by Danayya under his new banner DVV Entertainments.^[8] The film was launched officially on 5 March 2015 at Danayya's office in Hyderabad.^[9]

Crew

Vaitla was rumored to collaborate with the writer duo Kona Venkat-Gopimohan for this film with whom he had differences in the past.^[10] Kona Venkat-Gopimohan were working on the film's script in United States in late November 2014.^[11] S. Thaman and Sameer Reddy were reported to be the music director and cinematographer of the film respectively.^[12] Kona Venkat confirmed that he would be working with Vaitla again for this film after Charan convinced him to put aside their personal differences adding that he discussed the script with Vaitla and got an approval from Charan.^[13]

Gopimohan confirmed the same adding that this film's script would have no traces of their past works. Anirudh Ravichander was signed in on to compose the film's music marking his debut in Telugu cinema and also making this film the third Charan's film to have music composed by a Tamil music composer.^[a][14]. He met Charan at his house in Hyderabad in early February 2015 and Danayya, Vaitla and others were also present during the meeting. He accepted to be a part of the film after liking the film's script.^[15]

Manoj Paramahamsa was signed in on as the film's director of photography.^[16] The makers announced that Kona Venkat would pen the dialogues and co-write the film's script along with Gopimohan while Vaitla himself would pen the film's screenplay.^[17]

Filming

Principal photography began on 16 March 2015 at Hyderabad and the film's principal cast participated in the shoot.^[18]

Release

Danayya planned to release the film on 15 October 2015, a week ahead of Dusherra,^[19] clashing with Mahesh Babu'sBrahmotsavam^[20] and Nandamuri Balakrishna's Dictator, his 99th film as an actor.^[21]

Notes

References