Neninthe Re-Release: Ravi Teja’s Vintage Drama Gets Unprecedented Love

Some movies that failed to make an impact at the box office during their initial release are now being celebrated like festivals during re-releases. A similar phenomenon was observed with Orange which initially caused losses for Nagababu but turned into a box-office success during its re-release last year.

Now, Ravi Teja's Neninthe (2008) has taken the spotlight. Directed by Puri Jagannadh and featuring Siya Gautam as the female lead, the film is set against an industry backdrop. Despite having a soulful soundtrack by Chakri, the movie did not perform commercially back then. The primary reason was its focus on issues within the film industry, which didn’t resonate with the mass audience. Topics like producers' struggles, fan-driven rivalries and extreme scenarios like suicides were depicted realistically but didn’t connect with the viewers. Additionally, the heroine's lack of charm as per expectations was seen as a drawback.

One standout from the film was the song Krishna Nagare Mama, which gained immense popularity. The lyrics by Bhaskarabhatla and Chakri’s tunes beautifully portrayed the hardships of aspiring actors.

However, the response to Neninthe’s recent re-release has been overwhelming. Fans and movie lovers have been showering praise on Puri Jagannadh, calling him a visionary for capturing today’s realities back then. The film’s narrative which addressed issues like fake collections biased reviews and public talk near theaters, now feels more relevant than ever. Social media is abuzz with tweets appreciating how the movie seamlessly incorporated these elements into its storyline.

Eighteen years after its release, fans are revisiting the vintage Puri Jagannadh style, demanding the filmmaker return to this naturalistic approach. The re-release has become a reminder of Puri’s unique storytelling and Ravi Teja’s performance, with cinephiles expressing renewed admiration for the film.

Neninthe may not have succeeded in 2008, but its re-release has shown that love for good cinema knows no bounds.