Janatha Garage


Janatha Garage: Ichchata Anni Repairlu Cheyyabadunu is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Koratala Siva, produced by Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar, and C. V. Mohan under their production house Mythri Movie Makers, distributed by Eros International. The film stars Mohanlal and N. T. Rama Rao Jr., with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nithya Menen, Sachin Khedekar, Unni Mukundan, Devayani, Sai Kumar, Ashish Vidyarthi and Suresh in supporting roles. The Godfather-esque plot revoles around Sathyam and Anand an environmental activist. Anand is recruited by Sathyam, who operates a large automobile service center named "Janatha Garage" and undertakes law enforcement through his group of automobile mechanics, because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.
Janatha Garage was released worldwide on 1 September 2016. The film registered the highest opening for a Telugu film in 2016 and is the second highest Telugu opening of all time, behind . Janatha Garage was the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. The film won two awards at the 64th National Film AwardsSpecial Jury Award for Mohanlal and Best Choreography for Raju Sundaram. It also won seven Nandi AwardsBest Popular Feature Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Story Writer, Best Choreographer, Best Art Director, and Best Lyricist.

Plot

Sathyam is a small workshop owner in a village. His brother Shiva works in Hyderabad and opens a workshop for Sathyam there. The brothers and their faithful allies run the garage happily as Janatha Garage.
One day, a poor man who is a friend of Sathyam loses his collegegoing daughter in a road accident. Sathyam and his friends get to know she was raped and killed by some goons. They ask Shiva's friend DSP Chandrashekar's help, but he is helpless as there is no proper evidence against them and also they are highly influential. Then Janatha Garage becomes a self-appointed group of citizens led by Sathyam who undertake law enforcement by killing the goons and making it look like an accident. Chandrasekhar becomes aware of this and warns against taking law in their hands as he is worried about the consequences.
Janatha Garage becomes popular among the local people as they believe that they'll get justice from them. Shiva marries a Mumbai-based man Suresh's sister, and they have a son Anand. One day Mukesh, a powerful business magnate with lot of criminal dealings and who was also the brother of a goon who was killed by Sathyam, visits and warns him. A few days later, Shiva and his wife get ambushed by Mukesh's men, and both are killed. Sathyam, fearing for Anand's safety, asks Suresh to take him away from Janatha Garage.
As the years pass, Anand grows up as an environmental science graduate and activist in Mumbai, who is against any activity which can harm the environment. Suresh's daughter Bujji and Anand are in love with each other, and her parents are happy with that. Anand also befriends a girl Anu, whom he scolds for using firecrackers. She falls for him, but does not tell him, because she knows that he is in love with Bujji. Gets into a fight with a powerful MLA, and fearing for his safety, Suresh sends him to Hyderabad under the pretext of a university exchange program. There he meets Sathyam's arrogant son Raghava, who married Mukesh's daughter without his parents' approval. Sathyam meets with an accident planned by Mukesh, but recovers. Janatha Garage is now inactive solving the problems of the common men as Sathyam and his allies are getting old. Anand fights off Raghava's thugs regarding an illegal mining field. Sathyam meets with Anand, and both develop a mutual respect for each other, without knowing they are uncle and nephew. Sathyam asks Anand to take over Janatha Garage. Anand quickly becomes a family member of the house. They save a strict government officer Vikas from some of Mukesh's men. Janatha Garage becomes popular among the public once again.
Chandrashekar, now the Commissioner of Police, finds out about Anand and brings Suresh and his family. Sathyam and others are shocked to know that Anand is his late brother's son. Suresh, who is bothered about Bujji's safety, asks Anand to choose either his daughter or Janatha Garage. Anand, with a heavy heart, chooses to stay with his father's family, and he and Bujji say goodbye tearfully. She marries a boy of her parents' choice. Meanwhile, Raghava and his wife leave Sathyam's house because of their uncultured lifestyle, creating a ruckus with Anand and the family. In order to overthrow the government, Mukesh and Raghava plan and execute a bomb blast in Hyderabad. Bose, one of Sathyam's closest friends, loses his loved one in the blast. The next day, Bose's body is found in the railway track, with reports citing he committed suicide out of depression. The police chief asks Chandrasekhar to close the case. He comes to Janatha Garage for help. Anand finds out that Bose was killed by Raghava as Bose had found that it was Raghava who planned the blasts. Sathyam decides that even though Raghava is his son, he doesn't deserve to live.
Anand and others from Janatha Garage beat up Mukesh's men in their hideout. Anand kills Mukesh, and Raghava pleads for mercy. Sathyam arrives and kills Raghava without remorse. Later, on the occasion of Diwali, Anand, despite being requested to stay at home for the festivities by Padma, goes to help someone with Sathyam's approval, while Anu, who is Chandrashekar's daughter and now Anand's wife, smiles at him.

Cast

Production began on 25 October 2015 in Hyderabad and principal photography commenced on 22 February 2016. Music from the film was released on 12 August 2016.

Development

There were several rumours during mid July that Jr. NTR might team up with Koratala Siva after NTR finishes Nannaku Prematho and Koratala Siva finishes Srimanthudu. During early October 2015, it was reported that this project will be produced by Mythri Movie Makers and it will be launched by the end of October and regular shooting will begin after NTR finishes Nannaku Prematho. During mid October it was reported that this project will be launched on 25 October 2015. This project was officially launched on 25 October 2015. The makers originally announced that the film would be released on 12 August 2016, but the release date was postponed to 2 September 2016.

Casting

During mid October there were rumours that Amyra Dastur might play one of the heroines in this film. During early November, there were rumours that the makers are considering Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Parineeti Chopra to play the leading lady opposite NTR. During the end of November 2015, the makers have announced that Mohanlal has signed this movie. This marks Mohanlal's third Telugu film after a cameo appearance in the 1994 film Gandeevam and the 2016 film Manamantha. During Late December, it was confirmed that Samantha Ruth Prabhu will be playing the leading lady opposite NTR for the fourth time after Brindavanam, Ramayya Vasthavayya, and Rabhasa. During the end of December 2015, it was reported that Nithya Menen will be playing the second heroine in this movie making her first collaboration with NTR. During Late January, it was reported that Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan is a part of this film playing the villain. It was also reported that Unni Mukundan will be playing the role of the son of Mohanlal and Cousin of Jr. NTR. Reportedly, this movie is a family drama, and it deals about the issues between two cousins, played by NTR and Unni Mukundan. During early February 2016, it was reported that former Tamil actress Devayani would play the wife of Mohanlal's character. Brahmaji confirmed his inclusion during mid-February 2016. During Mid February, It was reported that Sai kumar would play the father of Jr. NTR. Inclusion of well known actors like Ajay, Sithara was also confirmed during mid-February 2016. During Early March, Rahman was reported to be part of this movie playing as brother to Mohanlal.

Crew

directed the film's music. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao is the film's editor and Tirru is the film's cinematographer. A. S. Prakash is the Art Director. They decided to release the movie on 1 September but due to some unknown reasons it released on 2 September

Filming

The regular shooting of this film was expected to begin on 9 February 2016. Art Director AS Prakash erected a huge set at Saradhi Studios, Hyderabad during the first week of January 2016. During Late January, it was reported that this movie will be shot mainly in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kerala. Later the regular shooting was delayed to 22 February, and the first schedule kicked off in Ramoji Film City and it was wrapped up in four days. The second schedule commenced in Mumbai on 5 March, it continued till 22 March after which the unit returned to Hyderabad. Jr. Ntr, and Nithya Menen were part of this schedule. The third schedule began in Hyderabad on 25 March in the specially erected set at Saradhi Studios. Samantha joined the shooting in this schedule, and scenes featuring Mohanlal, Jr. Ntr, Samantha, and Unni Mukundan will be filmed in this schedule.

Soundtrack

The audio function of the movie was held on 12 August 2016. The cast and crew of the movie attended the function. All lyrics were written by Ramajogayya Sastry.

Release

Reception

Greatandhra.com rated Janatha Garage 2.75/5, stating " The movie can be watched for some moments in the second half and NTR’s terrific performance. Not a good movie but not totally bad either". Another reviewer idlebrain Jeevi rated 3/5, complaining about the movie "lacking emotional impact". The Hindu wrote "At 163 minutes, riding on a predictable story, Janatha Garage gets tiresome. A few scenes involving Mohanlal and NTR, and the episode involving Rajeev Kanakala and GHMC staff are the only moments worth rooting for.".

Box office

The film grossed 41 crore worldwide on its opening day. The film registered the highest opening for a Telugu film in 2016, and is the second highest opening of all time, behind . The film crossed 50 crores 'share' mark in its first weekend, making it the second fastest Telugu movie to achieve this mark after Baahubali: The Beginning. The film grossed 100 crore mark in 8 days which was a sensational record only achieved before by one other film. The film also went on to become the highest collected movie in Uttarandra region in its first week and 2nd highest 1st week collections in 7 other territories. Janatha Garage collected 62 crores share at the end of 7 days run, becoming the second best opening week of Telugu cinema. The film has grossed 135 crore worldwide at the end of its theatrical run making it the third biggest grosser of all time in Telugu cinema as of its release. Janatha Garage emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.

Theatrical Run

Janatha Garage was released on 1610 screens in India and around 2010 screens worldwide. It was one of the biggest release for a Telugu film. The movie ran for 50 days in 39 centers in AP and Telangana.
It was also dubbed in Malayalam and released in Kerala by Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments. The film was also dubbed in Hindi as Janta Garage and released on YouTube by Goldmines Telefilms on 24 June 2017. The film was also dubbed in Odia as Janatha Gyarege by Raja Ram Cine Production in 2018.

Accolades

CeremonyCategoryNomineeResult
64th National Film AwardsSpecial Jury AwardMohanlal
64th National Film AwardsBest ChoreographyRaju Sundaram
Nandi AwardsBest Popular Feature FilmY. Naveen, Y. Ravi Shankar, C. V. Mohan
Nandi AwardsBest ActorN. T. Rama Rao Jr.
Nandi AwardsBest Supporting ActorMohanlal
Nandi AwardsBest Story WriterKoratala Siva
Nandi AwardsBest ChoreographerRaju Sundaram
Nandi AwardsBest Art DirectorA. S. Prakash
Nandi AwardsBest LyricistRamajogayya Sastry
64th Filmfare Awards SouthBest DirectorKoratala Siva
64th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Actor in a Supporting Role – MaleMohanlal
64th Filmfare Awards SouthBest LyricsRamajogayya Sastry
64th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Dance ChoreographyShekhar
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest FilmMythri Movie Makers
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest DirectorKoratala Siva
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest ActorJr. NTR
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Actor In A Supporting Role – MaleMohanlal
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Playback Singer – MaleShankar Mahadevan
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Playback Singer – FemaleGeetha Madhuri
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Music DirectorDevi Sri Prasad
6th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest LyricsRamajogayya Sastry
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest PictureMythri Movie Makers
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest DirectorKoratala Siva
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest ActorJr. NTR
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest Performance In A Supporting Role – MaleMohanlal
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest Music DirectionDevi Sri Prasad
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest LyricsRamajogayya Sastry
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest Playback Singer – MaleShankar Mahadevan
2nd IIFA UtsavamBest Playback Singer – FemaleGeetha Madhuri