‘Businessman’ of Mahesh Babu is all set for release on Jan 13 in 2000 theatres worldwide

By Sridhar Narsing

Telugu actor Mahesh Babu’s next film ‘Businessman’ is all set for release in more than 2,000 theatres worldwide on Friday, January 13, 2012.  Originally it was to be released on January 11, but has been postponed by two days.

To be released close on the heels of massive success of the film “Dookudu” in November, ‘Businessman’ with the caption ‘Guns don’t need agreements‘ will be released in India and abroad, said  R.R. Movie Makers, the producers of the film.

With Kajal Aggarwal opposite Mahesh Babu in the movie, director Puri Jagannath is hoping the repeat of success seen in their earlier combination film “Pokiri” which has changed the fortunes of both the hero and the director. Though Jagannath saw a series of flops after that, for Mahesh Babu, “Dookudu” reversed the trend.

‘Businessman’ story revolves around the city of Mumbai with the mafia backdrop. The shooting was finished in 74 days, a remarkably short period for Mahesh Babu, who is known for taking more time to finish his films.

In his tweet Mahesh Babu also said: “Jagan garu is known 4his characterization of heroes in his films, The Businessman is his best ever…” It remains to be seen how the film opens at the box office on Friday. The film is also reportedly featuring a lip-locked kissing scene from the duo, first time on the scene for both.

Director Puri Jagannath has again pitched in with new inputs of comedy featuring Ali. Further, the film’s Hindi version will also feature Mahesh Babu in the lead as Abhishek Bachchan has walked out citing busy schedule with other films.

Further, Mahesh Babu is singing for the first time in the film and also giving the Tamil dubbing on his own for the film, which is being released in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.

In Hyderabad, the film will be released in 100 theatres, while Prasad’s multiplex alone is screening 33 shows of the movie on the first day.

Mahesh Babu has struck gold at the Box Office with his last outing ‘Dookudu’ and there are huge expectation on this film as a result of that. The movie has been directed by Puri Jagan and this is the first time that Mahesh and Puri have teamed up after the record breaking success of ‘Pokiri’ 6 years ago.

Casting:
Mahesh Babu,
Kajal Aggarwal
Prakash Raj
Raza Murad
Sayaji Shinde
Dharmavarapu Subramanyam
Shweta Bhardwaj
Brahmaji
Jahangir Khan
Bharath Reddy

The movie was shot in Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad, and in Mumbai and Goa. Shweta Bhardwaj has done a special song for the movie, while the music was composed by S.S. Thaman.  The film is also the first Telugu film to be released overseas with English subtitles.

The overseas rights were given to Hari Venkateshwara Pictures while producers RR Movie Makers retained the distribution rights in India.

The rights abroad for the film were sold for Rs. 5.4 crore ($19 million), the highest amount for any Telugu film abroad. In the United States, it will released in 120 theatres.