Bhagavanth Kesari teaser: Is Anil Ravipudi planning a Lokesh Kanagaraj-style fanboy film with Balakrishna?

Bhagavanth Kesari, the official title of Nandamuri Balakrishna’s 108th film - referred to as NBK108 loosely for a long time - must have come as a huge relief for the star’s fans after a series of ‘Simha’ based titles in the recent decade. Their joy wasn’t limited to the title alone as director Anil Ravipudi also unveiled a teaser of the film commemorating the star’s 63rd birthday today.

If Boyapati Sreenu proved he was a master at understanding the persona of Balakrishna as a person and a star, Anil Ravipudi is trying to helm a fanboy tribute to the Akhanda actor with Bhagavanth Kesari. Right from the aesthetics in the backdrop and the cinematography to Thaman’s electrifying background score, the teaser feels like an enthusiastic homage from a disciple to his master.

Anil Ravipudi gives what Balakrishna fans expect from their demi-God and pushes the envelope further with his cool, no-nonsense characterisation. With the superb Hindi dialogue on the link between ‘kaan bhairi’ and ‘bheja’, the stylised action choreography, superb cinematography, the ‘highly flammable’ reference to the titular character and the ‘guitar’ dance with a cricket bat - the teaser is packed with winning moments.

S Thaman, who enjoys an excellent grasp over action entertainers, packs a punch and proves his consistency. If Lokesh Kanagaraj gave a perfect fanboy tribute to Kamal Haasan with Vikram, it’s Anil Ravipudi’s turn to do the same for Balakrishna in Bhagavanth Kesari. The release timing during Dussehra should come in handy for the team too.

Kajal Aggarwal is cast opposite Balakrishna in the film while Sreeleela is believed to be playing the star’s on-screen niece in the same. Sarath Kumar essays a pivotal role in the project which also marks Arjun Rampal’s entry into Telugu cinema. Harish Peddi and Sahu Garipati are bankrolling the film under Shine Screens while S Krishna is the executive producer.