Bhagavanth Kesari
Updated: 12/10/2025, 4:07:26 PM Wikipedia source
Bhagavanth Kesari is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Anil Ravipudi and produced by Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi, under the banner of Shine Screens. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the titular role alongside Kajal Aggarwal, Sreeleela and Arjun Rampal (in his Telugu debut). The soundtrack and background score was composed by Thaman S, while C. Ramprasad and Tammiraju handled the cinematography and editing, respectively. The film was theatrically released on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of Dusshera. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics, praising its women-centric theme, Balakrishna's performance and the action. Bhagavanth Kesari earned the Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 71st National Film Awards, and the Telangana state Gaddar Award for Third Best Feature Film. It is being remade in Tamil as Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay in his last film before entering politics, along with Mamitha Baiju and Pooja Hegde.
Infobox
Directed by
Anil Ravipudi
Written by
Anil Ravipudi
Produced by
Sahu GarapatiHarish Peddi
Starring
Nandamuri BalakrishnaKajal AggarwalSreeleelaArjun Rampal
Cinematography
C. Ramprasad
Edited by
Tammiraju
Music by
Thaman S
Productioncompany
Shine Screens
Release date
mw- 19 October 2023 (2023-10-19)
Running time
164 minutes
Country
India
Language
Telugu
Budget
est.₹65 crore
Box office
est.₹138 crore
Tables
· Accolades
71st National Film Awards
71st National Film Awards
Award
71st National Film Awards
Category
Best Feature Film in Telugu
Recipient(s)
Producers:Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi Director: Anil Ravipudi
Result
Won
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South
Award
Filmfare Awards South
Date of ceremony
3 August 2024
Category
Best Director – Telugu
Recipient(s)
Anil Ravipudi
Result
Nominated
Best Actor – Telugu
Best Actor – Telugu
Award
Best Actor – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Balakrishna
Category
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Award
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Sreeleela
Category
Nominated
IIFA Utsavam
IIFA Utsavam
Award
IIFA Utsavam
Date of ceremony
27 September 2024
Category
Best Film – Telugu
Recipient(s)
Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi
Result
Nominated
Ref.
[citation needed]
Best Director – Telugu
Best Director – Telugu
Award
Best Director – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Anil Ravipudi
Category
Won
Best Actor – Telugu
Best Actor – Telugu
Award
Best Actor – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Balakrishna
Category
Nominated
Best Actress – Telugu
Best Actress – Telugu
Award
Best Actress – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Sreeleela
Category
Nominated
Santosham Film Awards
Santosham Film Awards
Award
Santosham Film Awards
Date of ceremony
2 December 2023
Category
Best Cinematographer
Recipient(s)
Ram Prasad
Result
Won
South Indian International Movie Awards
South Indian International Movie Awards
Award
South Indian International Movie Awards
Date of ceremony
14 September 2024
Category
Best Film – Telugu
Recipient(s)
Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi
Result
Won
Best Director – Telugu
Best Director – Telugu
Award
Best Director – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Anil Ravipudi
Category
Nominated
Best Actor
Best Actor
Award
Best Actor
Date of ceremony
Balakrishna
Category
Nominated
Best Actress – Telugu
Best Actress – Telugu
Award
Best Actress – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Sreeleela
Category
Nominated
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
Award
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
Date of ceremony
Arjun Rampal
Category
Nominated
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| 71st National Film Awards | Best Feature Film in Telugu | Producers:Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi Director: Anil Ravipudi | Won | ||
| Filmfare Awards South | 3 August 2024 | Best Director – Telugu | Anil Ravipudi | Nominated | |
| Best Actor – Telugu | Balakrishna | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress – Telugu | Sreeleela | Nominated | |||
| IIFA Utsavam | 27 September 2024 | Best Film – Telugu | Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi | Nominated | [citation needed] |
| Best Director – Telugu | Anil Ravipudi | Won | |||
| Best Actor – Telugu | Balakrishna | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress – Telugu | Sreeleela | Nominated | |||
| Santosham Film Awards | 2 December 2023 | Best Cinematographer | Ram Prasad | Won | |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 14 September 2024 | Best Film – Telugu | Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi | Won | |
| Best Director – Telugu | Anil Ravipudi | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Balakrishna | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress – Telugu | Sreeleela | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu | Arjun Rampal | Nominated |
References
- Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
- Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
- Bhagavanth Kesarihttps://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/bhagavanth-kesari-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmde2odcx
- Hindustan Timeshttps://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/bhagavanth-kesari-box-office-collection-day-3-lukewarm-response-brings-worldwide-haul-to-rs-45-crore-101697971425684.html
- News18https://www.news18.com/movies/this-popular-ott-platform-acquires-bhagavanth-kesari-streaming-rights-8626735.html
- News18https://www.news18.com/movies/nandamuri-balakrishnas-bhagavanth-kesari-starts-streaming-on-this-ott-platform-8675038.html
- NDTVhttps://ndtv.in/bollywood/bhagavanth-kesari-collection-day-11-nandamuri-balakrishna-movie-bhagavanth-kesari-became-a-storm-at-the-box-office-earned-130-crores-in-11-days-4528140
- The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/balakrishna-anil-ravipudi-telugu-film-titled-bhagavanth-kesari/article66945308.ece
- Asianet Newshttps://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/bhagavanth-kesari-nandamuri-balakrishna-s-film-is-good-or-bad-to-watch-read-this-rba-s2re91
- Hindustan Timeshttps://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/bhagavanth-kesari-box-office-collection-day-3-lukewarm-response-brings-worldwide-haul-to-rs-45-crore-101697971425684.html
- India Todayhttps://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/bhagavanth-kesari-box-office-collection-day-5-balayyas-film-remains-strong-2452891-2023-10-24
- Business Todayhttps://www.businesstoday.in/trending/entertainment/story/bhagavanth-kesari-twitter-review-its-a-hattrick-blockbuster-say-nandamuri-balakrishna-fans-402611-2023-10-19
- Bru Times Newshttps://www.brutimes.com/news/bollywood/national-film-awards-2025-winners
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/film/news/shah-rukh-khan-vikrant-massey-rani-mukerji-india-national-film-awards-1236476508/
- Times Nowhttps://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/telugu/gaddar-telangana-film-awards-adivi-sesh-thanks-telangana-government-for-honouring-major-expresses-gratitude-to-mahesh-babu-article-151755732
- The Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/nbk108-nandamuri-balakrishnas-film-with-anil-ravipudi-launched-see-first-pics/articleshow/96077636.cms
- "Arjun Rampal poses with Balakrishna on his last day shoot of 'Bhagavanth Kesari'"https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/arjun-rampal-poses-with-balakrishna-on-his-last-day-shoot-of-bhagavanth-kesari-815699
- News18https://www.news18.com/movies/nandamuri-balakrishnas-bhagavanth-kesari-starts-streaming-on-this-ott-platform-8675038.html
- OTTPlayhttps://www.ottplay.com/news/bhagavanth-kesari-where-director-anil-ravipudi-proves-its-possible-to-do-a-meaningful-massy-film/c65f68de3e184
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bhagavanth-kesari-movie-review-nandamuri-balakrishna-does-not-disappoint-8991046/
- The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhagavanth-kesari-telugu-movie-review-anil-ravipudi-balakrishna-film-is-a-mediocre-outing/article67437725.ece
- India Todayhttps://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/bhagavanth-kesari-review-balayya-has-maximum-fun-in-this-film-on-women-empowerment-2451242-2023-10-19
- The News Minutehttps://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bhagavanth-kesari-review-balakrishna-and-anil-ravipudi-dabble-with-girlboss-feminism
- EENADUhttps://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/movies/bhagavanth-kesari-movie-review-in-telugu/0203/123193354
- www.filmcompanion.inhttps://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/bhagavanth-kesari-review-balayya-attempt-at-women-empowerment-is-both-meaningful-and-fun-anil-ravipudi-sreeleela-nandamuri-balakrishna-kajal-aggarwal-nbk
- "71st National Film Awards complete winners list: Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey share 'Best Actor', Rani Mukerji wins best actress, 'Katthal' wins best Hindi film"https://web.archive.org/web/20250801133927/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/71st-national-film-awards-complete-winners-list-shah-rukh-khan-vikrant-massey-share-best-actor-katthal-wins-best-hindi-film-vash-is-best-gujarati-film/articleshow/123044344.cms
- Filmfarehttps://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/nominations-for-filmfare-awards-telugu-2024-are-out-67264.html
- "Full list of Winners of the 69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South (Telugu) 2024"https://web.archive.org/web/20240804051630/https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/full-list-of-winners-of-69th-sobha-filmfare-awards-south-telugu-2024_-67634.html
- "69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024: Check out the winners"https://web.archive.org/web/20240804052211/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/69th-sobha-filmfare-awards-south-2024-check-out-the-winners/articleshow/112251936.cms
- 10TV Teluguhttps://10tv.in/telugu-news/movies/suresh-kondeti-santosham-awards-will-held-in-goa-this-time-735660.html
- ETV Bharat Newshttps://www.etvbharat.com/en/!entertainment/siima-2024-nominations-revealed-nanis-dasara-and-rajinikanth-starrer-jailer-lead-with-11-nominations-each-enn24071700580
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/siima-awards-2024-dasara-hi-nanna-kaatera-and-sapta-sagaradaache-ello-win-big-on-day-1-9568720/lite/