Gentleman

Story:

“Gentleman,” also known as “Nani Gentleman,” is a gripping Indian Telugu-language romantic thriller film released in 2016. Directed by Mohan Krishna Indraganti, who co-wrote the screenplay with R. David Nathan, the movie was a noteworthy production by Sivalenka Krishna Prasad’s Sridevi Movies.

The film’s cast features Nani in a double role, with Surbhi, Nivetha Thomas, Tanikella Bharani, Srinivas Avasarala, and Vennela Kishore in pivotal roles. “Gentleman” weaves an intriguing narrative around two women, Aishwarya and Catherine, who find themselves romantically involved with men, Jayaram and Gautham, respectively. Coincidentally, Jayaram and Gautham happen to be lookalikes. The story takes a dark turn when Gautham meets with a tragic accident, prompting Catherine to suspect Jayaram’s involvement. She embarks on a journey of investigation, uncovering startling truths not only about Jayaram but also about the people in their lives, including Gautham.

For producer Sivalenka Krishna Prasad, “Gentleman” marked his return to film production after an eight-year hiatus. The film’s visual aesthetics were masterfully captured by director of photography P. G. Vinda. The evocative soundtrack and score were crafted by the talented Mani Sharma, while Marthand K. Venkatesh skillfully edited the film.

Principal photography for “Gentleman” commenced in November 2015 and wrapped up in April 2016. The filming locations encompassed various sites in and around Hyderabad, with a specific schedule set in the picturesque Kodaikanal.

“Gentleman” was created with a budget of ₹15 crore and made its grand global release on June 17, 2016, across 700 screens. Notably, it emerged as the third-largest South Indian film release in the United States at that time, in terms of screen count. Following its release, the film garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. It achieved significant commercial success, amassing a global box office collection of ₹32.6 crore, with a distributor’s share of ₹16.3 crore.

Nivetha Thomas, who portrayed a pivotal role in the movie, received the SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut (Telugu) at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards.

Such was the impact of “Gentleman” that it even saw a Bengali remake titled “Villain” in 2018. The film’s blend of suspense, romance, and thrilling storytelling captivated audiences and solidified its place as a remarkable entry in Telugu cinema.