Mosagallu

“Mosagallu,” a 2021 Indian techno-thriller, ventures into the realm of a vast technical support scam based on true events. Directed by Jeffrey Gee Chin and penned and produced by Vishnu Manchu under the AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory banners, this film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Vishnu Manchu, Kajal Aggarwal, Suniel Shetty, Ruhi Singh, Navdeep, and Naveen Chandra.

The narrative unfolds seamlessly in both Telugu and English languages, enhancing the story’s reach and impact. Vishnu Manchu, a driving force behind the project as both a producer and lead actor, underscores the film’s gravity in narrating this real-life account of deception and intrigue.

Commencing its principal photography in June 2019, “Mosagallu” embarked on a meticulous journey to capture the essence of this gripping tale. However, its slated release on June 5, 2020, faced an unfortunate delay attributed to the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the widespread impact on the film industry’s schedules and timelines.

The film’s reported budget amounted to an estimated ₹51 crore (approximately US$7 million). Yet, upon reviewing the movie’s content and quality, Vishnu Manchu expressed dissatisfaction, deeming the disclosed budget inaccurate or misleading in relation to the film’s actual production standards and outcome.

On March 19, 2021, the Telugu version of “Mosagallu” premiered alongside dubbed releases in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada (as “Anu and Arjun”), and in Malayalam (titled “Arjun and Anu”). Despite an initially promising box office opening, the movie’s trajectory led to moderate overall collections, amassing approximately Rs 27.37 crore in shares and Rs 38 crore in gross earnings globally. This financial performance, while falling short of initial projections, reflected the film’s journey from a strong opening to a more restrained reception.

“Mosagallu” serves as an attempt to unravel a compelling true story of deception on a grand scale. Its star-studded cast and narrative based on actual events contribute to shedding light on the complexities of a significant technical scam. The film’s depiction of the scam’s intricacies, coupled with its exploration of audience reception and commercial success, stands as an intriguing chapter in the landscape of Indian cinema.