Anaganaga Oka Raju (translating to “Once Upon a Time, a King”) is a 2025 Telugu fantasy-drama directed by debutant filmmaker Mahesh Babu Pappu. Produced under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra by B. V. S. N. Prasad, the film clocks in at 2 hours and 12 minutes.
With a modest budget of ₹15 crore, it hit theaters on March 14, 2025, garnering mixed reviews for its ambitious blend of folklore and modern satire. The soundtrack, composed by Mickey J. Meyer, features six tracks that evoke a magical whimsy, though they occasionally overpower the narrative.
Cast and Performances
Leading the ensemble is Naveen Polishetty as Raju, the bumbling yet endearing protagonist—a modern-day everyman thrust into a royal fairy tale. Polishetty, fresh off hits like Jathi Ratnalu, delivers a charismatic performance, infusing Raju with slapstick humor and heartfelt vulnerability. His comic timing shines in physical gags, making him the film’s anchor.
Opposite him is Sreeleela as Princess Anagha, the fierce warrior-heiress. Sreeleela brings grace and spunk, excelling in action sequences choreographed by the Real Stunt Team. However, her character arc feels underdeveloped, reducing her to a romantic foil at times.
Veteran actor Nassar portrays the antagonistic King Vikramaditya with gravitas, his baritone voice lending menace to monologues on power and greed. Supporting roles include Vennela Kishore as the quirky narrator-sorcerer, whose one-liners steal scenes, and Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Raju’s loyal sidekick, adding bromance banter. Cameos by Brahmanandam and Sunil provide nostalgic laughs but feel forced.
Anaganaga Oka Raju: A Whimsical Yet Uneven Fairy Tale Reimagining
Plot and Key Points:
The story reimagines classic Telugu folklore through a meta lens. Raju, a debt-ridden software engineer in Hyderabad, stumbles into an ancient kingdom via a cursed app (a clever nod to digital addiction). There, he must outwit the tyrannical king to win Princess Anagha’s hand and break a generational curse.
Key strengths:
- Visual Spectacle: Cinematographer Shyam Dutt’s lush frames capture enchanted forests and opulent palaces with vibrant CGI from Annapurna Studios. The dream sequence montage, blending VFX with practical effects, is a highlight.
- Social Commentary: Subtle jabs at caste systems, corporate greed, and gender roles elevate the fairy tale. Raju’s line, “Kings aren’t born; they’re coded by society,” resonates.
- Humor and Pacing: The first half breezes with witty dialogues by writer Sai Madhav Burra, clocking laugh-out-loud moments every 10 minutes.
Weaknesses abound in the second act:
- Predictable Twists: The “chosen one” trope unravels without surprises, echoing Baahubali but lacking epic scale.
- Uneven Tone: Shifts from comedy to melodrama jar, especially in a prolonged emotional climax.
- Technical Flaws: Editing by Naveen Nooli feels choppy in action scenes, with sound design (Resul Pookutty) muddled during battles.
Direction, Music, and Technical Credits: Mahesh Babu Pappu shows promise in world-building but struggles with script cohesion—co-written with Abburi Ravi. Meyer’s score is melodic; the folk-inspired “Oka Raju” title track is catchy, though the lyrics by Chandrabose are overly simplistic. Production design by A. S. Prakash recreates a mythical Andhra with intricate sets, earning praise for authenticity.
Themes and Reception. At its core, the film explores destiny versus free will, using Raju’s journey as a metaphor for breaking societal “curses.” It grossed ₹28 crore worldwide in its opening weekend but tapered due to competition from bigger releases. Critics laud its family-friendly appeal (U/A certification) and Polishetty’s star power, scoring 3/5 on average aggregators like BookMyShow. Yet, it falters in depth, appealing more to kids than adults seeking nuance.
Verdict Anaganaga Oka Raju is a colorful, feel-good escapade with heart and humor, ideal for a light weekend watch. Polishetty carries it, but tighter scripting could have made it a modern classic. Worth a stream for fantasy fans—rent it on Prime Video post-theatrical run.