Dongala Mutha
Encyclopedia
Dongala Mutha is a Telugu-language film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma
. The film stars Ravi Teja
, Charmme Kaur, Prakash Raj
, Lakshmi Manchu
, Bramhanandam, Subbaraju
, Supreet and Ajay. This film is the first of its kind in Indian cinema as it was shot with just 7 crew members and in a record of 5 days. Prior to filming, Varma announced that this film has no budget and that the cast and crew will not be taking remunerations until the film hits theaters. Puri Jagannadh
is co-director while director S. Harish Shankar (Mirapakaya fame) is associate director. Music is by Sathyam while the Background Score has been rendered by Amar Mohile of Sarkar Raj fame.
Dongala Mutha was released on March 18, 2011, which was exactly 33 days after the 5 days of shoot ended, to critical acclaim and commercial success. The filmmaking process was revolutionized through Canon 5D cameras, a first of its kind.
. No one in this film is going to be paid. It is being made only with those actors and technicians who are excited to be a part of the project. All the people who are working for the film will only be paid after the release, if and only if the film makes profits and those payments will be in accordance with their individual value additions.
There will be no generator, no lights, no equipments of any sort including jibs, trolleys etc., as the entire film will be shot hand-held and in natural light. The pilot track for the sound will be recorded by the cameras themselves.
Canon 5D cameras were used because they give excellent output with naked-eye quality without using any additional lights. It costs around 1.5 lakhs to buy each of these cameras. The film was wrapped up in a record four and a half days, earlier than the announced five days and was released on March 18th. Finally, Ram Gopal Varma
revealed in a press conference at the Promo Launch that the production cost of the movie is just 6,50,000, mostly for renting out a premise and other miscellaneous expenses.
) and Rani (Charmme Kaur) are traveling in a car on a deserted road on their way to attend a friend’s marriage. They take a short cut to reach the marriage but suddenly the car conks out and they end up in a old, dilapidated and a seedy resort. They meet a weird hotel staff member, Subbaraju
, who claims that he is The Receptionist. He tells them that the hotel is full. Another guy, who calls himself The Manager (Supreet), tells that one room is vacant and they are alloted room number 8. Inside the hotel Sudheer and Rani realize that the room has not been cleaned for many days. When they order for lunch, the resort staff bring the menu but they say that nothing is available. Sudheer shouts at the hotel staff and they tell him that he can take their car and drive to a nearby village where he can get a mechanic but they tell him that he cannot take his wife along with him. Sudheer gets irritated and asks them to get out. And soon, both hear some weird sounds from the next room. But to their surprise that adjacent room is locked. Sudheer slowly starts realizing that he and Rani are getting more and more trapped in a do or die situation.
When asked The Receptionist tells them that the source of the sound from the neighboring room is a Ghost. But The Manager says it is not a ghost but a thief. Frightened at their gestures, Sudheer and Rani try to get out of the resort, but the manager, receptionist and a servant (Brahmaji) hold them captive and keep Rani in room number 9 - the same room as the one with the Ghost. However, Sudheer and Rani manage to escape from them but are trapped in the same building. The three men at the resort Supreet, Brahmaji and Subbaraju who claim to be workers at the resort are actually kidnappers working for a don who calls himself Munna Bhai. They have kidnapped a businessman Narayana Murthy (Brahmanandam
) and locked him up in room number 9. To solve the kidnap mystery cops Shiva (Lakshmi Manchu
) and Richard (Sunil
) arrive at the resort feigning to convey the message that Munna Bhai who leads their gang is arrested. What ensues now is a game of hide and seek as Sudheer, Rani and Narayana Murthy are now on the run. Finally, Prakash Raj
arrives as a cop-on-duty to arrest The Mutha, later revealing himself to be the don Munna Bhai who is the actual mastermind in the kidnap drama.
The seven member crew on location consisted of the Director, an Assistant Director and 5 Camera operators and the unit breakup is as follows:
's main idea for making Dongala Mutha is to explain to the world that a film need not have a whole bunch of technicians taking care of camera work but could be done with just Canon 5D cameras. He has revealed his idea at the end of the film with the ‘The Making of Dongala Mutha’ video. How the FX School students have used the hand held cameras and shot the film without using regular cranes and other machinery, how Varma himself has looked after everything instead of making use of assistant directors, associate directors, managers and make-up artistes, light boys and others, etc., forms the plot of the 2 minute 34 seconds video. He has penned the dialogues to the characters and has tried to derive comedy by repeating the same dialogues between the characters. The video also reveals the action choreography to have been handled by Varma himself. Music for the video is by 'Deyyam' fame Sathyam.
after Deyyam. The music video for the song was picturised on the cast which included Ravi Teja
, Charmme Kaur, Lakshmi Manchu
, Sunil
, Subbaraju
, Brahmaji, Prakash Raj
, Brahmanandam
and Supreet by noted director S. Harish Shankar at the deserted Aluminium Factory in Gachibowli
, Hyderabad. The song was shot completely on Canon DSLR Camera in one day.
Ram Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
. The film stars Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja is an Indian Telugu film actor. He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has participated in other films including Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot,Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay...
, Charmme Kaur, Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
, Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Prasanna Manchu is an Indian film actress, producer and a television host. She is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and his first wife late Vidya Devi. She graduated with a Bachelors in Theater Oklahoma City University. She has acted in the American Television series Las Vegas and...
, Bramhanandam, Subbaraju
Subbaraju
Penmatsa Subbaraju is an actor and fighter in Tollywood. He acted in many hit Tollywood films like Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi,Arya and Pokiri. He is currently trying to turn as a character artist from his fighter image.-Back Ground:...
, Supreet and Ajay. This film is the first of its kind in Indian cinema as it was shot with just 7 crew members and in a record of 5 days. Prior to filming, Varma announced that this film has no budget and that the cast and crew will not be taking remunerations until the film hits theaters. Puri Jagannadh
Puri Jagannadh
Puri Jagannath , born 28 September 1966, is a prominent Tollywood film director and producer. He is also a two-time Nandi Award recipient.- Director :- Writer :* Bumper Offer - story, dialogues...
is co-director while director S. Harish Shankar (Mirapakaya fame) is associate director. Music is by Sathyam while the Background Score has been rendered by Amar Mohile of Sarkar Raj fame.
Dongala Mutha was released on March 18, 2011, which was exactly 33 days after the 5 days of shoot ended, to critical acclaim and commercial success. The filmmaking process was revolutionized through Canon 5D cameras, a first of its kind.
Development
Normally a film takes between 60 to 120 days to shoot and more than 150 to 200 crew members will be working on it. However, the unique thing about this film is that this 2 hour long feature film will be completed in just 5 days from start to finish, with a crew of just 5 people including Ram Gopal VarmaRam Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
. No one in this film is going to be paid. It is being made only with those actors and technicians who are excited to be a part of the project. All the people who are working for the film will only be paid after the release, if and only if the film makes profits and those payments will be in accordance with their individual value additions.
There will be no generator, no lights, no equipments of any sort including jibs, trolleys etc., as the entire film will be shot hand-held and in natural light. The pilot track for the sound will be recorded by the cameras themselves.
Filming
The innovative challenge of using Canon cameras as opposed to the traditional movie cameras was first technically proved before shooting commenced by making a test print out of a few scenes shot that came out perfectly. Principal photography then started on February 9, 2011 and the entire shooting of Dongala Mutha was completed ahead of schedule. The entire film was shot hand held and in natural light with 5 Canon cameras which were used to capture every shot in 5 different angles simultaneously. No lights or equipment of any sort including jibs, trolleys etc. were used. There was no D.O.P for the film and all the individual operators chose the angles or compositions without the director or anyone guiding or coordinating them.Canon 5D cameras were used because they give excellent output with naked-eye quality without using any additional lights. It costs around 1.5 lakhs to buy each of these cameras. The film was wrapped up in a record four and a half days, earlier than the announced five days and was released on March 18th. Finally, Ram Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
revealed in a press conference at the Promo Launch that the production cost of the movie is just 6,50,000, mostly for renting out a premise and other miscellaneous expenses.
Plot
A couple Sudheer (Ravi TejaRavi Teja
Ravi Teja is an Indian Telugu film actor. He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has participated in other films including Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot,Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay...
) and Rani (Charmme Kaur) are traveling in a car on a deserted road on their way to attend a friend’s marriage. They take a short cut to reach the marriage but suddenly the car conks out and they end up in a old, dilapidated and a seedy resort. They meet a weird hotel staff member, Subbaraju
Subbaraju
Penmatsa Subbaraju is an actor and fighter in Tollywood. He acted in many hit Tollywood films like Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi,Arya and Pokiri. He is currently trying to turn as a character artist from his fighter image.-Back Ground:...
, who claims that he is The Receptionist. He tells them that the hotel is full. Another guy, who calls himself The Manager (Supreet), tells that one room is vacant and they are alloted room number 8. Inside the hotel Sudheer and Rani realize that the room has not been cleaned for many days. When they order for lunch, the resort staff bring the menu but they say that nothing is available. Sudheer shouts at the hotel staff and they tell him that he can take their car and drive to a nearby village where he can get a mechanic but they tell him that he cannot take his wife along with him. Sudheer gets irritated and asks them to get out. And soon, both hear some weird sounds from the next room. But to their surprise that adjacent room is locked. Sudheer slowly starts realizing that he and Rani are getting more and more trapped in a do or die situation.
When asked The Receptionist tells them that the source of the sound from the neighboring room is a Ghost. But The Manager says it is not a ghost but a thief. Frightened at their gestures, Sudheer and Rani try to get out of the resort, but the manager, receptionist and a servant (Brahmaji) hold them captive and keep Rani in room number 9 - the same room as the one with the Ghost. However, Sudheer and Rani manage to escape from them but are trapped in the same building. The three men at the resort Supreet, Brahmaji and Subbaraju who claim to be workers at the resort are actually kidnappers working for a don who calls himself Munna Bhai. They have kidnapped a businessman Narayana Murthy (Brahmanandam
Brahmanandam
Brahmanandam Kanneganti is an Indian actor, commonly appearing in Telugu films. He was born into a Viswakarma gold smith family. He holds Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films in a single language. He was starred in over 900 films till date. He is noted for Physical comedy...
) and locked him up in room number 9. To solve the kidnap mystery cops Shiva (Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Prasanna Manchu is an Indian film actress, producer and a television host. She is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and his first wife late Vidya Devi. She graduated with a Bachelors in Theater Oklahoma City University. She has acted in the American Television series Las Vegas and...
) and Richard (Sunil
Sunil
Sunil is a common Hindu male name meaning "deep, dark blue color". It may refer to:*Sunil , actor in the Telugu film industry*Sunil Kumar Ahuja , professor of Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry at University of Texas Health Science Center*Sunil Chhetri , Indian footballer*Sunil...
) arrive at the resort feigning to convey the message that Munna Bhai who leads their gang is arrested. What ensues now is a game of hide and seek as Sudheer, Rani and Narayana Murthy are now on the run. Finally, Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
arrives as a cop-on-duty to arrest The Mutha, later revealing himself to be the don Munna Bhai who is the actual mastermind in the kidnap drama.
Cast
- Ravi TejaRavi TejaRavi Teja is an Indian Telugu film actor. He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has participated in other films including Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot,Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay...
as Sudheer - Charmee Kaur as Rani
- SunilSunil (actor)Sunil Varma is an actor from the Telugu film industry. His roles usually are to provide comic relief to the audience. In Andala Ramudu , he appeared in the lead role for the first time and his Second one as hero is Maryada Ramanna directed by S. S. Rajamouli...
as Richard - Prakash RajPrakash RajPrakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
as Munna Bhai - Lakshmi ManchuLakshmi ManchuLakshmi Prasanna Manchu is an Indian film actress, producer and a television host. She is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and his first wife late Vidya Devi. She graduated with a Bachelors in Theater Oklahoma City University. She has acted in the American Television series Las Vegas and...
as Shiva - Bramhanandam as The Ghost/Businessman
- SubbarajuSubbarajuPenmatsa Subbaraju is an actor and fighter in Tollywood. He acted in many hit Tollywood films like Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi,Arya and Pokiri. He is currently trying to turn as a character artist from his fighter image.-Back Ground:...
as The Receptionist - Brahmaji as The Servant
- Supreet as The Manager
Crew
| "The whole point of doing Dongala Mutha with these cameras is to remind ourselves that in an age of new technologies pushing up our budgets we can use the same to go ultra low on our budgets thereby reminding ourselves that we need to be the masters of technology and not become its slaves." |
| — Ram Gopal Varma Ram Gopal Varma Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer... |
The seven member crew on location consisted of the Director, an Assistant Director and 5 Camera operators and the unit breakup is as follows:
| No. | Crew Member |
| 1 | Director |
| 2 | Associate Director |
| 3 | Five Canon 5D camera operators |
Trivia
- Total no. of shooting days were just 5 in comparison to any normal film taking anywhere between 60 to 120 days.
- Total no. of shooting crew were just 7 members that is Director, Asst. Director and Five Camera operators in comparison to any film having 150 to 200 members.
- There was no D.O.P for the film because there were no lights used and hence there was no concept of lighting and the composition of shots and the angles were independently chosen by the 5 camera operators by themselves without having any co-ordination with each other and hence there was no need for a supervising D.O.P
- None of the camera operators were ever on a film set before.
- The whole cost of the camera dept. for the film is just Rs.65,000 including cameras and operators in comparison to a normal film where with this kind of cast, the cost will be at least between 75 Lakhs to 1.5 Crores.
- The entire editing for the film has been done by 3 editors on a shift basis on 3 Mac computers sitting in two small rooms.
- All the post production work like background score, color corrections etc were done in small rooms without going to any studio.
The Making Video
Ram Gopal VarmaRam Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
's main idea for making Dongala Mutha is to explain to the world that a film need not have a whole bunch of technicians taking care of camera work but could be done with just Canon 5D cameras. He has revealed his idea at the end of the film with the ‘The Making of Dongala Mutha’ video. How the FX School students have used the hand held cameras and shot the film without using regular cranes and other machinery, how Varma himself has looked after everything instead of making use of assistant directors, associate directors, managers and make-up artistes, light boys and others, etc., forms the plot of the 2 minute 34 seconds video. He has penned the dialogues to the characters and has tried to derive comedy by repeating the same dialogues between the characters. The video also reveals the action choreography to have been handled by Varma himself. Music for the video is by 'Deyyam' fame Sathyam.
Soundtrack
Composer Sathyam scored the film's title track, his second collaboration with Ram Gopal VarmaRam Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
after Deyyam. The music video for the song was picturised on the cast which included Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja is an Indian Telugu film actor. He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has participated in other films including Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot,Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay...
, Charmme Kaur, Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Manchu
Lakshmi Prasanna Manchu is an Indian film actress, producer and a television host. She is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and his first wife late Vidya Devi. She graduated with a Bachelors in Theater Oklahoma City University. She has acted in the American Television series Las Vegas and...
, Sunil
Sunil (actor)
Sunil Varma is an actor from the Telugu film industry. His roles usually are to provide comic relief to the audience. In Andala Ramudu , he appeared in the lead role for the first time and his Second one as hero is Maryada Ramanna directed by S. S. Rajamouli...
, Subbaraju
Subbaraju
Penmatsa Subbaraju is an actor and fighter in Tollywood. He acted in many hit Tollywood films like Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi,Arya and Pokiri. He is currently trying to turn as a character artist from his fighter image.-Back Ground:...
, Brahmaji, Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
, Brahmanandam
Brahmanandam
Brahmanandam Kanneganti is an Indian actor, commonly appearing in Telugu films. He was born into a Viswakarma gold smith family. He holds Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films in a single language. He was starred in over 900 films till date. He is noted for Physical comedy...
and Supreet by noted director S. Harish Shankar at the deserted Aluminium Factory in Gachibowli
Gachibowli
Gachibowli is a major IT suburb of Hyderabad, located in the Serilingampally mandal of the Rangareddy district. It is situated about 5 km away from HITEC City, another IT hub. Both these suburbs lie on the north-west part of Hyderabad city.-Economy:...
, Hyderabad. The song was shot completely on Canon DSLR Camera in one day.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyricist | Length (min:sec) |
| 1 | "Debbaku Tha Dongala Mutha" | Hema Chandra, Sravana Bhargavi Sravana Bhargavi Sravana Bhargavi is a South Indian playback singer. She has recorded several songs in Telugu.-Career:... (Additional vocals by Bharadwaj) |
Sira Sri | 03:29 |
External links
- Dongala Mutha ReviewUmpire.com
- Cinegoer.com Review