Hanuman is a 2024 Hindi movie directed by Prasanth Varma and starring Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Vinay Rai. The movie is a superhero film inspired by the character of Hanuman from Indian mythology. The movie is based on a French novel by Frédéric Dard and was filmed simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil.
The Plot and the Characters
The movie follows Hanumanth, a young man who lives in a fictional town called Anjanadri, where a giant statue of Hanuman stands as a symbol of faith and courage. Hanumanth is a mischievous and carefree person who makes a living by pickpocketing and stealing fruits. He is in love with his childhood friend Meenakshi, who is a doctor and disapproves of his lifestyle.
One day, Hanumanth gets involved in a train accident and miraculously survives without any injuries. He soon discovers that he has acquired superpowers from a divine stone that belongs to Lord Hanuman. He decides to use his powers to impress Meenakshi and become a hero for the people.
However, his life takes a turn when he meets Michael, a man who claims to be a superhero and wants to take the stone from him. Michael is actually a psychopath who killed his parents as a child, believing that being an orphan would make him a superhero. He is assisted by Siri, a scientist who creates weapons for him using technology.
Hanumanth also faces trouble from Jerome, a corrupt businessman who is Meenakshi’s husband and has a deal with Michael and a local gangster named Ronnie. Hanumanth has to fight against these enemies and protect the stone and his loved ones.
The movie is a thrilling and entertaining ride that showcases the adventures and challenges of Hanumanth and his superpowers. The movie also explores the themes of faith, love, and destiny.
The Cast and the Crew
The movie features a talented cast of actors who deliver stellar performances. Teja Sajja plays Hanumanth, the charismatic and fearless superhero who gets his powers from Lord Hanuman. Sajja portrays the complexity and versatility of his character with finesse. Amritha Aiyer plays Meenakshi, the beautiful and intelligent doctor who is Hanumanth’s love interest. Aiyer brings out the charm and the maturity of her character with ease. The chemistry between Sajja and Aiyer is palpable and captivating.
The movie also has a strong supporting cast, including Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Vinay Rai, Raj Deepak Shetty, Nassar, Mark Bennington, John Kokken, and Edward Sonnenblick. They play the roles of the other characters who are involved in the plot, such as Siri, Michael, Jerome, Ronnie, the police inspector, and the singer. They add to the intrigue and the suspense of the movie.
The movie is directed by Prasanth Varma, who is known for his acclaimed movies like Rocky, Saani Kaayidham, and Kalki. Varma is a master of the superhero genre, and he proves it once again with Hanuman. He creates a gripping and stylish movie that pays homage to the Indian mythology and culture. He also adds his own touch of humor and irony to the movie.
The movie is produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, Wunderbar Films, and Goldmines Telefilms. The movie has music composed by GV Prakash Kumar, who makes his Hindi debut with this movie. The movie has songs that suit the mood and the theme of the movie, such as the title track, “Hanuman”, and the romantic song, “Tu Roshni”. The movie also has a score by Daniel B. George, who creates a tense and atmospheric background music for the movie.
The movie has cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni, who captures the essence and the contrast of Anjanadri and Bombay in the 1930s-1940s. The movie has a retro and noir look, with dark and shadowy scenes, as well as bright and colorful scenes. The movie also has editing by Nagooran, who keeps the pace and the flow of the movie smooth and engaging.
The Release and the Reception
The movie was released in theatres on 12 January 2024, after several postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised the movie’s plot, direction, performances, and music. The movie also did well at the box office, earning ₹5.70 crore on its first day.
The movie was also released in Tamil, with the same cast and crew, under the title “Hanuman”. The movie was well-received by the Tamil audience as well, who appreciated the movie’s story, style, and acting.