Mestri (transl. Expert) is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language political drama film directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by K. Ramakrishna Prasad. The film stars Dasari Narayana Rao, who also wrote the story and screenplay, alongside Vijayachander, Pradeep Rawat, Vijayakumar and Srihari. It was released on 12 March 2009. Rao won the Nandi Award for Best Actor.[1]

Mestri
Directed bySuresh Krissna
Written byDasari Narayana Rao
Produced byK. Ramakrishna Prasad
StarringDasari Narayana Rao
CinematographyCh. Ramana Raju
Edited byGautham Raju
Music byVandemataram Srinivas
Production
company
Soubhagya Films
Release date
  • 12 March 2009 (2009-March-12)
Running time
137 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Plot

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A new labourer at the dockyard suddenly garners the accolades of his colleagues and soon due to his intelligence and the good deeds for his mates becomes their leader. At the same time there are murders of those who seem to be suspicious. Who is their killer? Where from has this new labourer come from? What is his history and ulterior motive?

Cast

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Production

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Mestri was directed by Suresh Krissna,[5] and produced by K. Ramakrishna Prasad under Soubhagya Films.[6] Dasari Narayana Rao wrote the story and screenplay,[5] and Rajendra Kumar wrote the dialogues.[7] Cinematography was handled by Ch. Ramana Raju,[8] and editing by Gowtam Raju.[5] Shooting took place predominantly at Ramoji Film City.[9]

Soundtrack

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The soundtrack was composed by Vandemataram Srinivas.[10][11] It was released on 23 February 2009.[12]

Track listing
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Anna Mestry Anna"Shankar Mahadevan, Geetha Madhuri 
2."Naagamalli Dharilo"Vandemataram Srinivas 
3."Anagaanaga"K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra 
4."Yedanunchi Vachaavo" (Bit)Shankar Mahadevan 
5."Mana Mathrubasha Telugu"K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Manjula K 
6."Vasthanantay Vasthadu"Jayam Srinivas, Pranava Sheshasai 
7."O Thalli Na Thalli"Vandemataram Srinivas 

Release and reception

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Mestri was released on 12 March 2009,[5] and became controversial because many of its dialogues were interpreted as being targeted at the-then Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi, despite Krissna's denial.[13][14][15] Deepa Garimella of Fullhyd gave the film an overall rating of 5 out of 10. She gave 7 points for the cast performances, 5 for the script, 7.5 for the music and 6 for the visuals.[2] Radhika Rajamani of Rediff.com rated the film two stars out of five, saying, "One has to wait to see if the climate is favourable for Mestri's percolation to the audience in all the centres."[3] The Times of India said it "fails to impress on many counts. Barring some potshots against Chiranjeevi and advising youngsters not to be 'star-struck', the film offers little else. Even the predictable and slow-moving screenplay takes its toll on the audience."[4] Sify wrote, "The film is just laced on a Utopian model and hence lacks entertainment values."[16]

References

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  1. ^ "FMR Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao bags Best Actor award". NDTV. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b Garimella, Deepa. "Mestri Review". Fullhyd. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mestri is a political drama". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Mesthri Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d "Telugu Movie review – Mesthri". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Mohan Babu caricatures Major Devaraju in 'Mestri'". IndiaGlitz. 22 December 2008. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  7. ^ "'Mestri is not preachy'". Rediff.com. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Mestri". Gulte. 12 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  9. ^ "'Mestri' to release on March 11". The New Indian Express. 5 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  10. ^ "'Mesthri' music unveiled". The New Indian Express. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Mestry (2009)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Music of 'Mestri' out". IndiaGlitz. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  13. ^ Srinivasa Rao, A. (16 March 2009). "Andhra rivals slug it out on silver screen". India Today. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Telugu film Mestri takes a jibe at Chiranjeevi?". Hindustan Times. IANS. 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Dasari's political satire". The Times of India. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Mesthri". Sify. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
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