Julayi
Julayi is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language action comedy thriller film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas.[1] Produced by S. Radha Krishna under the Haarika & Hassine Creations banner, it stars Allu Arjun as the protagonist Ravi, a carefree and witty young man from Visakhapatnam, alongside Ileana D'Cruz as his love interest Madhu, Sonu Sood as the antagonist Bittu, and Rajendra Prasad as the timid police officer Seetaram.[1][2] The film's music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad, featuring popular tracks that contributed to its appeal.[3] The plot centers on Ravi, who inadvertently foils a bank robbery scheme orchestrated by the ruthless criminal Bittu, leading to a pursuit that forces Ravi to ally with the reluctant cop Seetaram.[1] Blending elements of heist, action, and humor, the narrative explores themes of redemption and cleverness through Trivikram's signature dialogue-heavy screenplay.[4] Supporting roles by actors like Brahmanandam, Kota Srinivasa Rao, and Rao Ramesh added comedic and dramatic depth to the ensemble.[5] Upon release on 9 August 2012, Julayi garnered positive critical reception for Allu Arjun's energetic performance, the engaging storyline, and Devi Sri Prasad's soundtrack, achieving a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb from over 7,000 user reviews and 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.[1] Commercially, it emerged as a blockbuster, grossing approximately ₹85 crore worldwide in its theatrical run, marking one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of 2012. The film received the Nandi Award for Best Popular Feature Film, while Rajendra Prasad won Best Supporting Actor at the SIIMA Awards.[6]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Ravindra "Ravi" Narayan is a carefree and jobless young man living in Visakhapatnam, who shuns responsibility and prefers a life of leisure, often indulging in gambling and avoiding any form of employment. His philosophy is encapsulated by a one-rupee coin, which he bets away in a game, symbolizing his disdain for hard-earned money and structured life. Frustrated with his son's indolence, Ravi's father, a principled bank employee, resorts to bribing him with the same one-rupee coin to sign a job contract, thrusting Ravi into an unwanted professional path that leads him to Hyderabad. There, he encounters Madhu, a determined woman working at a passport consultancy, sparking a romantic interest that motivates him to fabricate an elaborate backstory as a wealthy NRI to impress her.[7][8] Parallel to Ravi's personal entanglements, Bittu, a ruthless and cunning gangster, masterminds a high-stakes bank heist targeting the State Bank of India, aiming to steal 1,500 crores within a tight timeframe to cover his own financial misdeeds and expand his criminal empire. Bittu hires operatives and meticulously plans the operation, involving double-crosses and betrayals among his team, including a corrupt local MLA Varadarajaulu. The plot intersects with Ravi's life when he unwittingly picks up a phone call that turns out to be a bomb trigger related to Bittu's scheme, leading to his sister Raji being kidnapped and framed for the murder of DCP Raja Manikyam. This draws the attention of intelligence authorities.[9][10][4] Under the guidance of DIG Seetaram and DCP Raja Manikyam, who recognize Ravi's innate street smarts, quick wit, and unorthodox problem-solving abilities despite his slacker demeanor, Ravi is placed in witness protection and forms an unlikely alliance with the eccentric informant Babai, whose humorous yet resourceful nature provides crucial intelligence and comic relief. As the rising action unfolds in Hyderabad and Vizag, Ravi navigates a series of high-octane chases, narrow escapes, and deceptive maneuvers while gathering evidence on the heist. Major plot twists reveal layers of betrayal within Bittu's circle, forcing Ravi to confront his own fears of commitment and responsibility; through these trials, he transforms from a reluctant, self-centered slacker into a determined hero willing to risk everything for justice and his budding romance with Madhu, who becomes entangled in the danger after discovering his true identity.[7][8][10] The climax builds to an intense confrontation at the bank, where Bittu and his team execute the heist in the fortified vault, leading to a pulse-pounding showdown filled with hand-to-hand combat, strategic traps, and Ravi's clever use of the symbolic one-rupee coin to outmaneuver the villains. With Babai and Seetaram's support, Ravi thwarts the robbery, apprehends Bittu, and resolves the web of corruption, ultimately embracing maturity. The romantic subplot culminates in Ravi's genuine reconciliation with Madhu, affirming his growth from aimless youth to responsible partner, as the narrative ties back to the initial setup in Visakhapatnam with a reflective nod to his father's influence.[9][4][7]Cast
Allu Arjun stars as Ravindra "Ravi" Narayan, a carefree and intelligent slacker who transforms from avoiding responsibility to actively outsmarting criminals in a high-stakes heist scenario.[1] Ileana D'Cruz portrays Madhu, Ravi's spirited love interest employed at a passport consultancy, bringing a grounded contrast to his chaotic lifestyle.[11] Sonu Sood plays the antagonist Bittu, a cunning and violent crime boss who meticulously plans a massive bank robbery while seeking revenge.[1] The supporting cast features veteran actors in key roles that enhance the film's blend of action, comedy, and drama. Rajendra Prasad appears as DIG Seetaram, the disciplined police officer who reluctantly shelters Ravi and provides paternal guidance.[12] Rao Ramesh enacts DCP Raja Manikyam, a determined law enforcement figure central to the investigation.[12] Tanikella Bharani plays Narayana Murthy, a senior official aiding the police efforts.[12] Brahmanandam delivers comic relief as Babai, a sly pickpocket informant whose antics lighten tense moments.[12] Additional notable performances include Kota Srinivasa Rao as Varadarajaulu, a local figure entangled in the plot's undercurrents, and M. S. Narayana as Valmiki, contributing to the film's humorous interludes.[1] Ali features in a minor role as a bus passenger, adding a touch of levity in a brief scene.[5] Special appearances are made by director Trivikram Srinivas and choreographer Raju Sundaram, enhancing the film's self-referential charm. The following table lists the principal cast with their characters and any dubbing notes where applicable:| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Allu Arjun | Ravindra "Ravi" Narayan | Lead role |
| Ileana D'Cruz | Madhu | Voice dubbed by Haritha |
| Sonu Sood | Bittu | Voice dubbed by P. Ravi Shankar |
| Rajendra Prasad | Seetaram | Supporting role as DIG |
| Rao Ramesh | Raja Manikyam | Supporting role as DCP |
| Tanikella Bharani | Narayana Murthy | Supporting role |
| Kota Srinivasa Rao | Varadarajaulu | Supporting role |
| Brahmanandam | Babai | Comic supporting role |
| M. S. Narayana | Valmiki | Comic supporting role |
| Brahmaji | Travel Murthy | Supporting role |
| Shafi | Lala | Supporting role |
| Ali | Bus passenger | Minor role |
Production
Development
Trivikram Srinivas developed the story for Julayi following the release of his previous film Khaleja in 2010, marking his return to collaborating with Allu Arjun after their successful 2008 project Jalsa. The screenplay emphasized character-driven humor and action-comedy elements, tailored to Allu Arjun's energetic persona as the protagonist, a quick-witted young man navigating themes of personal growth and fate.[13] Producer S. Radha Krishna of Haarika & Hassine Creations greenlit the project in early 2011, partnering with D. V. V. Danayya as presenter.[14] The film was officially launched on 10 April 2011 with a traditional pooja ceremony at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad, with Samantha Ruth Prabhu initially announced as the female lead; she later declined the role.[15][16] This signaled the start of pre-production and underscored Trivikram's vision for a fast-paced entertainer completed within six months from inception to wrap-up, with significant portions set in Visakhapatnam to infuse local coastal flavor and vibrant backdrops.[17]Casting
Allu Arjun was the first actor to be signed for the lead role in Julayi, having accepted Trivikram Srinivas's offer in early 2011 due to the director's compelling script and vision for a unique character that explored generational attitudes toward wealth and success. He reduced his remuneration by half to support the production.[18] The female lead role went to Ileana D'Cruz after Samantha Ruth Prabhu declined; Ileana was officially announced during the film's muhurat on November 2, 2011, marking another collaboration with Allu Arjun following Jalsa.[19] For the antagonist, Sonu Sood was cast in May 2011. Supporting roles were filled by established actors to enhance comic relief and family dynamics: Brahmanandam was selected for the role of Shastri, a key comic character, while Rajendra Prasad was confirmed as Ravi's father in June 2011. Cameos by Dharmavarapu Subramanyam and others were finalized later in production. The casting process faced minor delays in locking the villain due to availability issues, but no major controversies arose; the team emphasized a diverse ensemble of around 50 principal actors to support the film's pan-India appeal, including plans for Hindi dubbing from the outset. The casting was handled by an internal team led by producer S. Radha Krishna, aligning with the script's requirements for dynamic, relatable characters.Filming
Principal photography for Julayi began on 14 November 2011 in Hyderabad, marking the start of production under director Trivikram Srinivas. The initial schedule focused on key interior and urban sequences, with the team utilizing locations across the city to capture the film's fast-paced narrative. A second schedule commenced on 13 December 2011 at Ramoji Film City and nearby areas like Sivarla, where several dialogue-heavy and transitional scenes were filmed. By January 2012, the unit shifted to action-oriented shoots in Hyderabad, incorporating high-energy chase sequences in urban settings such as Hi-Tech City and Banjara Hills to emphasize the protagonist's agile persona. In March 2012, filming moved to Visakhapatnam for the opening and climax portions, with significant sequences shot along RK Beach and surrounding coastal areas to leverage the scenic beaches for dynamic entry and confrontation scenes involving Allu Arjun and supporting cast members like Ileana D'Cruz, Vennela Kishore, and Rajendra Prasad. The production then traveled to Dubai starting 26 April 2012 for two song sequences featuring the lead pair, including the track "O Madhu," which utilized the city's modern architecture for vibrant visuals. The remaining songs were completed back in India during May 2012, with interiors for bank robbery and heist scenes recreated at Ramoji Film City to simulate Mumbai-style urban environments. The talkie portions wrapped by early April 2012, and the entire shoot concluded in approximately 65 working days across multiple schedules, allowing time for post-production ahead of the August release. Cinematographer P. G. Vinda oversaw the visuals, employing steady cam techniques for fluid action shots and chase sequences to enhance the film's energetic tone, while a portion of the footage was captured in digital format to streamline workflow and reduce costs. Stunt coordinator Peter Hein designed the heist, fight, and pursuit scenes, with Allu Arjun performing a substantial share of his own stunts after dedicated training to ensure authenticity in the physical demands of his role. No major production challenges were reported, though the international schedule in Dubai required precise coordination for logistics. Post-production, including editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh, was finalized by June 2012, with color grading applied to accentuate the comedic and thriller elements through bright, saturated tones.Music
Composition
Devi Sri Prasad was selected as the composer for Julayi, marking his second collaboration with director Trivikram Srinivas after Jalsa (2008). Following his success with energetic tracks in Mirapakay (2011), Prasad composed six songs that mix item numbers, romantic ballads, and folk-inspired beats to complement the film's action-comedy vibe. The lyrics were penned by Ramajogayya Sastry, Sri Mani, and Prasad himself, emphasizing youthful and rhythmic themes.)| No. | Title | Singers | Lyricist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Julayi" | Suchith Suresan, Priya Hemesh | Ramajogayya Sastry | 4:20 |
| 2 | "Osey Osey" | Jassie Gift, Ranina Reddy | Sri Mani | 4:03 |
| 3 | "Pakado Pakado" | Malgadi Subha, Devi Sri Prasad | Ramajogayya Sastry | 4:18 |
| 4 | "O Madhu" | Adnan Sami | Devi Sri Prasad | 4:04 |
| 5 | "Chakkani Bike Undi" | Tippu, Megha | Sri Mani | 4:00 |
| 6 | "Mee Intiki Mundhu" | Sagar, Ranina Reddy | Sri Mani | 3:52 |