Manmadhudu (2002)

Interesting facts

• Filmed in: Paris

Manmadhudu (transl. Cupid) is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar, who co-wrote the script with Trivikram Srinivas. Produced by Nagarjuna under the Annapurna Studios banner, the film stars Nagarjuna, Sonali Bendre, and Anshu, with music composed by Devi Sri Prasad. The film follows Abhiram, an ad agency manager, whose disdain for women is challenged when he is forced to work with Harika, a spirited assistant manager. Their evolving relationship helps Abhiram confront his past and reconsider his views on love and women.

Production

After the success of Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001), actor and producer Nagarjuna offered director K. Vijaya Bhaskar and writer Trivikram Srinivas the opportunity to work on a new film, which resulted in the making of Manmadhudu. The film was conceived with Nagarjuna in mind for the lead role.

The story is set in an advertising agency, an unexplored backdrop in Telugu cinema that adds humour and character interaction without delving deeply into industry specifics. The hero's disdain for women is explained through a subplot, providing context for his behaviour. To create an engaging dynamic, the hero's workplace is populated by female employees, leading to comedic situations and conflicts.

The plot further developed as the story shifted abroad, where the hero and heroine, working in the same agency, were given opportunities to spend time together. This setting allowed for the gradual development of romantic feelings, despite their initial animosity. The hero's attitude toward women evolves in phases, with the narrative maintaining a smooth flow to ensure the changes feel natural to the audience.

The storyline of Manmadhudu bears resemblance to Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani's novel Girija Kalyanam, which was also adapted into a film of the same name in 1981. In both, the protagonist becomes misogynistic after the death of his lover. Some scenes were inspired by the 2000 American film What Women Want.

A set resembling a corporate advertising agency was built on the first floor of Annapurna Studios by Srinivasa Raju. The set featured enlarged advertisements from magazines, backlit to enhance their appearance. A large vinyl poster of Birla Mandir and Hussain Sagar was placed opposite the agency's building to simulate its location near Birla Mandir.

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