Janatha Garage

The film stars Mohanlal, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Nithya Menen, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Unni Mukundan, Sachin Khedekar and Devayani. Devi Sri Prasad composed the music for the film, while Tirru and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao handled the cinematography and editing.

Janatha Garage
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Koratala Siva
Written by	Koratala Siva
Produced by	Naveen Yerneni Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar Mohan Cherukuri (CVM)
Starring	Mohanlal N. T. Rama Rao Jr. Samantha Ruth Prabhu Nithya Menen
Cinematography	Tirru
Edited by	Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music by	Devi Sri Prasad
Production company	Mythri Movie Makers
Distributed by	Eros International
Release date	1 September 2016 (2016-09-01)
Running time	162 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Budget	₹40–50 crore
Box office	est. ₹135.45 crore

Janatha Garage was released worldwide on 1 September 2016 and received positive reviews from critics. The film registered the highest opening for a Telugu film in 2016 and is the second highest Telugu opening of all time behind Baahubali: The Beginning. The film was the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. The film won two awards at the 64th National Film Awards—Special Jury Award for Mohanlal and Best Choreography for Raju Sundaram. It also won seven Nandi Awards—Best Popular Feature Film, Best Actor (Jr. NTR), Best Supporting Actor (Mohanlal), Best Story Writer (Koratala Siva), Best Choreographer (Sundaram), Best Art Director (A. S. Prakash) and Best Lyricist (Ramajogayya Sastry).

Upon his brother Shiva's encouragement, Sathyam operates a large automobile service center named "Janatha Garage". One day, a poor man, and a friend of Sathyam, loses his college-going daughter in a road accident. Sathyam and his allies learn that she was assaulted and killed by some goons. They ask Shiva's friend ASP Chandrashekar to help, but he's helpless as there is no proper evidence against the goons, who have an influential background. Sathyam takes justice into his own hands by killing the goons and making it look like an accident. Chandrashekar becomes aware and warns them against their actions, as he is worried about the consequences.

Janatha Garage became popular for those seeking justice for the underprivileged. Shiva marries and has a son Anand. One day Mukesh, a powerful and corrupt entrepreneur, visits and warns Sathyam to stop interfering in his business. A few days later, Shiva and his wife are ambushed and killed by Mukesh's men. Chandrashekar asks Sathyam to give up his work for Anand's sake. Instead, Sathyam gives him to Suresh, Anand's maternal uncle, so he will be safe.

As an adult, Anand is an environmental science graduate and activist in Mumbai, with the same fighting spirit as Sathyam, worrying Suresh. Anand and Suresh's daughter Bujji fall in love with each other, delighting her parents. Anand meets Anu, a fellow student, and scolds her for using firecrackers during Diwali, but the two become friends. Anand gets into a fight with a powerful local MLA over environmental rights. Fearing for his safety, Suresh sends him away to Hyderabad under the pretext of a university exchange program.

Sathyam is in an accident planned by Mukesh but recovers. As Sathyam was asked to limit stress, his allies turn people away. Sathyam asks his son, Raghava, to take over, but he refuses. Raghava marries Mukesh's daughter, Riya, without his family's approval. Anand fights off Raghava's thugs to stop an illegal mining site. Sathyam meets with Anand, not knowing they're related. Impressed by Anand, Sathyam asks him to take over the garage, and he agrees, becoming a part of the household and reviving Janatha Garage.

Chandrashekar, now the Commissioner of Police, tries to dissuade Anand from Janatha Garage but fails. He looks up Anand's family, and brings Suresh and his family to Sathyam's house, revealing Sathyam and Anand's connection. Afraid for Bujji's safety, Suresh tells Anand to choose either Bujji or Janatha Garage. Choosing his father's family, Anand and Bujji tearfully say goodbye, and she marries someone else. Raghava and Riya leave Sathyam's house because of their uncultured lifestyle creating a ruckus with Anand and the family. Anand reconnects with Anu, revealed to be Chandrashekar's daughter. Anu tells Anand that she's attracted to him, and they fall in love with each other.

Several bomb blasts occurred in Hyderabad. Bose, one of Sathyam's closest allies, loses his fiancée in the blasts. Soon after, Bose is found dead, with police believing he committed suicide. When the police chief tells Chandrashekar to close the bomb blast case, he asks Janatha Garage for help. Anand tracks down the goons responsible for the blast and, in the process, discovers Bose was killed by Raghava. Bose found out that Raghava and Mukesh planned the blasts to undermine Janatha Garage's government influence. Sathyam decides that even though Raghava is his son, he can't live. Janatha Garage finds Mukesh and Raghava's hideout, beating up their men to get to them. Anand kills Mukesh; cornered, Raghava pleads for mercy, but Sathyam arrives and kills Raghava without remorse. The film ends with Sathyam and his family celebrating Diwali when Anand goes to help someone. Anu is also there, now Anand's wife, and tells him that no firecrackers will be set off as he leaves.

Development

Koratala Siva decided to finalise his next project with N. T. Rama Rao Jr., after the reception of his Mahesh Babu-starrer Srimanthudu (2015). According to a report from Ritz Magazine, dated 21 September 2015, the makers decided to plan the shoot in January 2016, after NTR completing his work with Nannaku Prematho (2016). On 4 October 2015, Mythri Movie Makers, which produced Siva's earlier film Srimanthudu, had announced their confirmation on teaming up with the project titled as #NTR26. A formal launch ceremony was held on 25 October 2015, at the office of the film's production house, with the makers revealing the film's title as Janatha Garage. The film's technical department included composer Devi Sri Prasad, editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao and art director A. S. Prakash, who worked in the director's previous film, alongside cinematographer Tirru. On 26 November 2015, the makers have announced that Mohanlal was signed in to a play a pivotal role, thus marking his third film in Telugu film after Gandeevam (1994) and Manamantha (2015).

Casting

Amyra Dastur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Parineeti Chopra were considered playing the female lead opposite NTR. But in December 2015, it was confirmed that Samantha Ruth Prabhu will be playing the female lead marking her fourth collaboration with NTR, along with Nithya Menen as the second female lead. Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan was reported to play the antagonist in January 2016. It was also reported that Unni Mukundan will be playing the role of the son of Mohanlal and Cousin of Jr. NTR. Reportedly, this movie is a family drama, and it deals about the issues between two cousins, played by NTR and Unni Mukundan. In February 2016, it was reported that former Tamil actress Devayani would play the wife of Mohanlal's character. The very same month Brahmaji, Sai Kumar, Ajay, Sithara were included in the film's cast. It was reported that Sai Kumar, the latter would play the father of Jr. NTR. In March 2016, Rahman was reported to be part of this movie playing as brother to Mohanlal.

Filming

The regular shooting of this film was expected to begin on 9 February 2016. Art Director AS Prakash erected a huge set at Saradhi Studios, Hyderabad during the first week of January 2016, which costs around ₹3 crores. It was reported that this movie will be shot mainly in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kerala. The film's shooting was launched on 22 February 2016, with the first schedule took place at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, and it was wrapped up in four days. The second schedule featuring NTR and Menen, was commenced in Mumbai on 5 to 22 March, after which the unit returned to Hyderabad.^{[citation needed]} The third schedule began in Hyderabad on 25 March in the specially erected set at Saradhi Studios. Samantha joined the shooting in this schedule, and scenes featuring Mohanlal, Jr. Ntr, Samantha, and Unni Mukundan were filmed in this schedule.^{[citation needed]}

After a brief break, NTR joined the sets of the film on 5 May 2016, while Mohanlal was reported to join the shoot only in June 2016, as he had to complete wrapping up his Priyadarshan-directorial Oppam (2016). Mohanlal later joined the sets in Hyderabad. Few portions of the film shot in Chennai, were wrapped in the end of the month. Mohanlal completed his portions on mid-June. The team underwent post-production formalities during the intermediate schedule, whilst the makers planned for a grand song shoot. While the makers planned to rope Tamannaah Bhatia, for the song shoot, her dates were not available and the team chose Kajal Aggarwal. On 23 August 2016, the makers announced that they have completed the shooting of the film.

The film's soundtrack album is composed by Devi Sri Prasad. Janatha Garage marks Prasad's third collaboration with the director Koratala Siva, after Mirchi (2013) and Srimanthudu (2015). The regular music sitting discussions were held at the composer's studio in February 2016, with Prasad and Siva being present. Ramajogayya Sastry wrote lyrics for the songs. The makers planned to release the audio on mid-July 2016. However, it was revealed that the audio launch event will be held on 12 August 2016, at the Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad. The film's cast and crew (excluding Samantha), attended the event, with Mahesh Babu, gracing the event as the chief guest. Lahari Music label, released the soundtrack digitally on the day of its release.

Behindwoods praised Janatha Garage album as a "promising one from DSP- Koratala Siva after the super successful Srimanthudu", and gave 2.75 out of 5 stars. Indiaglitz gave 3.25 out of 5, stating "The album passes muster in terms of the music." Moviecrow gave the album 2.25 out of 5 and then stated "Devi Sri Prasad's Janatha Garage is far from his best work and the album is filled with hackneyed tunes which bog down the listener's interest." 123Teugu stated "The album is an emotional one which gives importance to the situations in the film and will grow on you more when you listen to them multiple times."

On the film's launch, Naveen Yerenini originally slated that the film will release on 12 August 2016, which falls on the Independence Day weekend. However, due to delay in post-production activities, and also the release of Mohanlal's another Telugu film Manamantha on 5 August, prompted the makers to postpone the film's release on 2 September 2016, during the eve of Ganesh Chathurthi. On 26 August, the film was awarded a U/A certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification.

Janatha Garage was released on 1610 screens in India and around 2010 screens worldwide. It was one of the biggest release for a Telugu film. Preview shows were started across US theatres on 31 August. The movie ran for 50 days in 39 centers in AP and Telangana.

It was also dubbed in Malayalam and released in Kerala by Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments. The film was also dubbed in Hindi as Janta Garage and released on YouTube by Goldmines Telefilms on 24 June 2017. The film was also dubbed in Odia as Janatha Gyarege by Raja Ram Cine Production in 2018.

Distribution

Dil Raju bought the theatrical rights of the film for ₹15.3 crore (US$1.9 million) in the Nizam region; the Ceded rights were sold for ₹9 crore (US$1.1 million); the theatrical rights in Vizag were sold for ₹5.12 crore (US$640,000); Guntur rights were sold for ₹7.53 crore (US$940,000); Krishna rights were sold for ₹8.34 crore (US$1.0 million); Nellore theatrical rights were sold for ₹2.34 crore (US$290,000). The film's theatrical rights in the Andhra-Telangana region were sold to ₹47.63 crore (US$6.0 million).

Aashirvad Cinemas bought the rights for the Kerala region for ₹4.20 crore (US$530,000), the Karnataka rights were sold for ₹7.02 crore (US$880,000). SPI Cinemas acquired the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights for ₹70 lakh (US$88,000). It was sold for ₹60 lakh (US$75,000), for various distributors in the rest of India. The overseas rights were sold for ₹7.25 crore (US$910,000).

Pre-release business

The film's theatrical rights were sold to ₹2.4 crore (US$300,000), and the film made a pre-release business of ₹1.70 crore (US$210,000), including the satellite and audio rights.

Marketing

On the occasion of N.T. Rama Rao Jr.'s birthday, the makers unveiled the first look poster on 20 May 2016, along with a motion poster. On 21 May 2016, another poster featuring Mohanlal was released, coinciding with his birthday. On 6 July 2016, coinciding with the occasion of Ramzan, the makers unveiled the official teaser of the film, and got more than 24,000 likes in one hour of its release. The teaser gained three million views within four days and more than 67,000 likes, becoming the most liked teaser in Tollywood. The film's theatrical trailer was unveiled on 12 August 2016, at the film's audio launch event held at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad.

Home media

The satellite and digital rights of the film were purchased by Star Maa and Disney+ Hotstar for a record sum of ₹12.50 crore (US$1.6 million). The television premiere of Janatha Garage took place on 23 October 2016 and registered a record TRP rating of 20.69, which is the highest in the year.

Janatha Garage received positive reviews from critics.

Critical response

123Telugu gave 3.25/5 stars and wrote "Janatha Garage is not your regular popcorn entertainer which Tollywood churns out every week. It is a character-driven film where the onus is on serious emotions. The film will appeal to the general audience more than the fans." Pranita Jonnalagedda of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "This Janatha Garage might give everyone a hand in repairs but they need a wee bit of repair themselves for sure. But that’s no reason to miss the film."

G. Ragesh of Onmanorama gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Koratala Siva, has tried to keep Janatha Garage as entertaining as possible for regular audience of Telugu films with a mix of popular ingredients. Siva deserves applause for finding Mohanlal fit to play his kind-hearted don with a salt and pepper beard." Goutham V. S. of The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Despite a good message, Mohanlal and Jr NTR film is a predictable, run-of-the-mill drama that fails to offer anything new." Srivatsan of India Today gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Janatha Garage is garnished with masala ingredients that only cater to entertainment-seeking audiences. Siva somehow readies the audience for a promising entertainer; however, ends up delivering a bland surreal revenge drama."

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "NTR and Mohanlal’s performances save an otherwise tepid film." Latha Srinivasan of Firstpost wrote "Janatha Garage may not be one of director Koratala Siva's best films but it is a film that has its moments where Mohanlal and NTR Jr shine." Govind Vijaykumar of Deccan Chronicle wrote "Janatha Garage falls short of expectations. It is slower than Koratala Siva’s earlier films. The director has chosen a good subject, but he has failed to narrate the same properly. Except for a few interesting scenes, the film is predictable and outdated."

Box office

Janatha Garage opened to 1,950 screens across the world on the day of its release (2 September 2016), and it collected ₹41 crore (US$5.1 million) on its opening day, Thus registering the highest opening for a Telugu film in 2016, and is the second highest opening of all time, behind Baahubali: The Beginning. The film also collected ₹50.58 crore (US$6.3 million), in its opening weekend, the second fastest Telugu movie to achieve 50-crore mark in the opening weekend. On 9 September 2016, the film collected more than ₹100 crore (US$13 million), within a week's time. Janatha Garage collected ₹62 crores share at the end of 7 days run, becoming the second best opening week of Telugu cinema.

According to a report from International Business Times, the movie collected more than ₹125 crore (US$16 million) within 18 days, thus becoming the second Telugu film in the year, to cross this mark after Sarrainodu (2016). At the end of its theatrical run, the film collected ₹135 crore (US$17 million), emerging as the highest grossing Telugu film of the year, and also the third biggest grosser of Telugu cinema.