The highly anticipated film Nenekkadunna stars Mimo Chakravarthy, the son of Bollywood legend Mithun Chakravarthy, alongside Airtel fame Sasha Chetri in the lead roles. Produced by Maruthi Shyam Prasad Reddy under the presentation of KBR, the film marks the directorial debut of Madhav Kodada. Set for release on February 28, the film’s pre-release event was held in Hyderabad on Monday, with several notable personalities from Tollywood in attendance. Retired IPS and IAS officers Gangadhar and Gopinath Reddy, along with many other industry celebrities, graced the occasion. VV Vinayak, Brahmaji, and Prem Rakshit extended their best wishes via video messages.
Former civil servant Gopinath Reddy (IAS) shared his thoughts: “I am thrilled to be part of the pre-release event of Nenekkadunna. Director Madhav has worked tirelessly on this film. Initially, I thought it was a small film, but upon seeing the efforts, I can confidently say that it is a big film disguised as a small one. I congratulate Madhav and everyone who supported him in this endeavor. I can clearly see the hard work of producer Maruthi Shyam Prasad Reddy. This film sheds light on the struggles faced by journalists and answers the question: should they face such problems? The media serves as a bridge between the people and the government, and this film illustrates the challenges journalists encounter. Additionally, Madhav showcases how empowering women can lead them to incredible heights. I wish the film great success and hope that, as Gopinath Reddy mentioned, we’ll be invited to the success meet too,” he said.
Tammareddy Bharadwaja praised Sasha Chetri, who gained fame through the Airtel 4G advertisement, saying: “Sasha became a household name with the 4G ad and earned recognition across the country, even in remote villages. She portrays the heroine in this film, which beautifully highlights the theme of women’s empowerment. The story emphasizes how a well-raised girl child can reach remarkable heights. The trailer is fantastic. Hero Mimo Chakravarthy is debuting in Telugu just like his father Mithun Chakravarthy. I wish him success and hope he continues his journey in the industry. Technically, this film is impressive, and I’m curious to see how Madhav managed such a star-studded cast. I wish the film much success, and like Gopinath Reddy, I look forward to celebrating its success,” he said.
BJP Morcha President Shilpa Reddy spoke on the theme of women’s empowerment: “The teaser and trailer clearly depict a strong message about women’s empowerment. The film shows how women can achieve anything they set their minds to. I believe such socially conscious films will bring about positive changes in society. As a movie based on journalism, I hope that all journalists continue to uphold the truth. I envision a future where a developed Bharat is driven by women. I wish the team great success,” she expressed.
Actress Lavanya shared her thoughts on the film’s potential: “Thank you for inviting me. I’ve heard great things about director Madhav Garu while making Annapurna Photo Studio. The trailer looks great, and with such an impressive cast, I am confident the film will be a major success. Best wishes to the entire team,” she said.
Chandu, the director of Annapurna Photo Studio, reflected on Madhav Kodada’s perseverance: “I have witnessed Madhav Garu’s struggle firsthand. He is the reason I became a director. At one point, the film faced several obstacles, but KBR Garu’s support ensured it reached this stage. Madhav Garu never let stress show on set, and I admire his dedication. I wish the film great success,” he shared.
Retired IAS officer Y Gangadhar expressed his joy: “After many struggles, this film is finally releasing on February 28. I even played a small role in it. I wish this film, which carries a positive message, great success. I hope the audience loves it,” he said.
Writer-director BVS Ravi emphasized the importance of films that highlight journalism: “I have known director Madhav for years, and it’s been a long journey for him to bring this film to fruition. In today’s world, even small-budget films can become huge hits if the audience connects with them. The film deals with journalists who work tirelessly behind the scenes, often risking their lives for truth. I believe Nenekkadunna will be a reflection of their struggles, and I sincerely wish it great success,” he stated.
Actress Mihira, who also worked on Annapurna Photo Studio, shared her experience: “I played a meaningful role in this film. It’s an honor to work in Mithun Chakraborty’s son’s movie. Sasha has given an outstanding performance, and director Madhav is incredibly passionate. I’m proud to be a part of this empowering project and wish it success,” she said.
Heroine Sasha Chetri expressed her gratitude: “I’m deeply thankful to everyone who attended. This film is close to my heart, especially as it revolves around women empowerment. It’s a dream to act in such a role, and though we faced challenges during filming, I am proud of the work we have done. I hope everyone supports this film,” she said.
Hero Mimo Chakravarthy conveyed his excitement: “I’m thrilled for the release of Nenekkadunna on February 28. The trailer is bound to resonate with everyone. I’m proud to be part of the Telugu film industry, just like my father. I hope the audience enjoys the film,” he said.
Director Madhav Kodada concluded: “If my parents gave me life, KBR gave me rebirth as a director. This film focuses on women empowerment, inspired by my mother, who is the strongest woman I know. The film showcases the talent of women in the field of journalism. Mimo’s black belt in Taekwondo helped us deliver incredible action scenes, while Sasha performed beautifully. Tanikella Bharani Garu’s emotional expressions brought tears to my eyes. Music director Rajesh took the film to new heights with his background score. I hope everyone watches and supports our film,” he said.
The film features an outstanding supporting cast, including Murali Sharma, Mahesh Manjrekar, Pradeep Rawat, Sayaji Shinde, Abhimanyu Singh, Rahul Dev, Brahmanandam, Tanikella Bharani, Posani Krishna Murali, C.V.L. Narasimha Rao, Ravi Kale, Bhanu Chander, Ramana Chalkapalli, Milind Gunaji, Mihira, Uttara, and Archana Gautam.
The film’s music is composed by Sekhar Chandra, with lyrics by Suddala Ashok Teja, and the background score is provided by Rajesh S.S. Cinematography is by Jayapal Nimmala, with editing by the Filmi Gangsters team. Renowned choreographer Prem Rakshit has designed the dance sequences.
Nenekkadunna is set to hit theaters on February 28, 2025, and promises to be an exciting and inspiring cinematic experience.