{{short description|2021 film directed by Ajay Bhupathi}} {{For|the 2006 Malayalam-language film|Mahasamudram}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox film | image = Maha Samudram film poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Ajay Bhupathi | producer = Ramabrahmam Sunkara | writer = Ajay Bhupathi | based_on = | starring = Sharwanand<br/>Siddharth<br/>Aditi Rao Hydari<br/>Anu Emmanuel | narrator = | music = Chaitan Bharadwaj | cinematography = Raj Thota | editing = Praveen K. L. | studio = AK Entertainments | distributor = | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2021|10|14|}} | country = India | language = Telugu | runtime = 153 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/maha-samudram-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mzqxodi |title=Maha Samudram (2021) |website=British Board of Film Classification |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> | budget = | gross = }} '''''Maha Samudram''''' ({{Translation|'Ocean'}}) is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language romantic action drama film<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web |date=18 September 2020 |title=Siddharth to make Telugu comeback with Maha Samudram |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/siddharth-to-make-telugu-comeback-with-maha-samudram-6600720/ |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2020 |title=Anu Emmanuel roped in for Siddharth and Aditi Rao Hydari starrer Maha Samudram |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/anu-emmanuel-roped-siddharth-aditi-rao-hydari-starrer-maha-samudram/ |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref> written and directed by Ajay Bhupathi. It is produced by Ramabrahmam Sunkara under AK Entertainments. It stars Sharwanand, Siddharth, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Anu Emmanuel. The music is composed by Chaitan Bharadwaj. The film is set in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh. The film was released on 14 October 2021.<ref name="new">{{Cite web |last=K. |first=Janani |date=27 August 2021 |title=Sharwanand, Siddharth's Maha Samudram to release in theatres on October 14. |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/sharwanand-siddharth-s-maha-samudram-to-release-in-theatres-on-october-14-new-poster-out-1845990-2021-08-27 |website=India Today}}</ref>
==Plot== Vijay and Arjun are close friends. Vijay, an ambitious civil service aspirant with corrupt intentions, is an orphan and has a girlfriend named Mahalakshmi, also known as Maha, who is a dance teacher. He is not serious about his relationship with Maha and lives in Arjun's house. Arjun lives with his widowed mother, who praises Vijay for being ambitious and hard-working despite being an orphan, unlike Arjun. Arjun also has an uncle, Chunchu Mama, who is a fisherman. Unlike Vijay, Arjun plans to start a business using the money his father accumulated before his death. Arjun meets Smitha, who initially misunderstands him, but later realises her mistake. They begin spending time together and eventually fall in love.
One day, Vijay takes Arjun to a factory producing illegal drugs and explains that it belongs to a smuggler named Dhanunjay, whose handicapped elder brother, Gooni Babji, created an indestructible crime syndicate. After witnessing their smuggling activities, Arjun appreciates Vijay and urges him to begin an investigation against them. However, Vijay reveals that he joined the police force to become influential and engage in illegal activities to earn money. Enraged, Arjun argues with Vijay. Vijay then follows Dhanunjay and ends up in their godown, where he accidentally stabs Dhanunjay. A shocked Vijay later meets Arjun and Chunchu and reveals the incident. Chunchu advises him to flee for his safety. Arjun tells Vijay to leave for the railway station and offers to bring Maha there. After they arrive, Vijay abandons them. It is then revealed that Maha is pregnant with Vijay's child. Arjun brings her to his home, and he and his mother look after her. Chunchu advises Arjun to become a smuggler to escape Babji's wrath. Although hesitant at first, Arjun eventually becomes a smuggler and takes the blame for Vijay's mistake. Meanwhile, Maha gives birth to a girl and names her Pooja.
Four years later, Arjun has become the leading smuggler, with Chunchu serving as his right-hand man. Maha and Pooja live with Arjun and his mother, and Maha does not reveal Vijay's identity to Pooja. Maha gradually develops feelings for Arjun. Arjun arrives at court for his case against Babji, where he meets Smitha, now a successful lawyer, and they begin spending time together again. Arjun introduces Smitha to his mother. Seeing Smitha, Maha becomes disappointed, believing that Smitha wishes to marry him. One day, Smitha realises that Maha is in love with Arjun and advises him to marry Maha for the sake of Maha and Pooja's happiness. Meanwhile, Vijay returns to see Maha and finds her living with Pooja, Arjun, and his mother. Vijay misunderstands the situation. He later meets Babji and learns that Dhanunjay survived the stabbing but no longer handles their business.
Babji manipulates Vijay regarding his friendship with Arjun. Vijay discovers Arjun's location and confronts him, questioning him about his family. Arjun replies that he owes him no explanation. A fight breaks out between them, and Vijay joins forces with Babji. He kidnaps Pooja and Chunchu, during which Chunchu reveals that Pooja is Vijay's daughter and that Arjun became a smuggler because of Vijay's mistakes. Heartbroken upon learning the truth, Vijay frees Chunchu and embraces Pooja. Vijay then calls Arjun and tells him that he wishes to meet him not as an enemy, but as a friend, and that he will return Pooja to him. Arjun agrees, but on the way he meets with an accident orchestrated by Babji and loses consciousness. Babji arrives with his henchmen and shoots Vijay after discovering that Arjun and Vijay are reconciling, then takes Pooja away with him. Arjun regains consciousness and finds Vijay dead. He heads to Babji's factory and rescues Pooja by killing Babji with Chunchu's help. In the end, Arjun, Maha, and Pooja are seen enjoying themselves on a beach, where Arjun proposes to Maha. She wholeheartedly accepts, and they live happily together.
== Cast == {{cast listing| * Sharwanand as Arjun * Siddharth as Vijay * Aditi Rao Hydari as Mahalakshmi * Jagapathi Babu as Chunchu Mama * Rao Ramesh as Gooni Babji * Ramachandra Raju as Danunjay * Anu Emmanuel as Smitha * Saranya Ponvannan as Arjun's mother * Harsha Chemudu as Arjun's friend * Aditi Pohankar as Revathi (credited uncutversion) * Ooha Reddy as Pooja * Anand Ramaraju as Gabari * Nanduri Srinivas as Priest * Prabhu as SI * Goparaju Ramana as Lakshmipathi * Himanshu Kushwaha }}
== Production == In 2019, Ajay Bhupati mentioned in an interview a film with Bellamkonda Sreenivas in the lead.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ajay Bhupathi's 'Maha Samudram' with Bellamkonda Sreenivas is a multi-starrer? - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/ajay-bhupathis-maha-samudram-with-bellamkonda-sreenivas-is-a-multi-starrer/articleshow/67990738.cms |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> However, in early 2020, a bilingual film starring Sharwanand and Siddharth was announced. Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Akkineni were also considered for the lead roles, but this did not materialise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balach |first=Logesh |date=18 September 2020 |title=Maha Samudram: Siddharth and Sharwanand come together for Ajay Bhupathi's bilingual |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/maha-samudram-siddharth-and-sharwanand-come-together-for-ajay-bhupati-s-bilingual-1722966-2020-09-18 |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2020, Aditi Rao Hydari and Anu Emmanuel were cast in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2020 |title=Aditi Rao Hydari cast in bilingual film Maha Samudram, also starring Sharwanand and Siddharth |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/aditi-rao-hydari-cast-in-bilingual-film-maha-samudram-also-starring-sharwanand-and-siddharth-8904911.html |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2020 |title=Anu Emmanuel joins the cast of upcoming Telugu-Tamil bilingual Maha Samudram |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/anu-emmanuel-joins-the-cast-of-upcoming-telugu-tamil-bilingual-maha-samudram/story-82OyLNZiQFMupASEbkuk7L.html |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Chaitan Bharadwaj who previously composed music for the films ''RX 100'' (2018) and ''SR Kalyanamandapam'' (2021), was signed for film's soundtrack. After ''Jabardasth'' (2013), Siddharth made a straight comeback to Telugu cinema after 8 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2020 |title=Siddharth returns to Telugu cinema with 'Maha Samudram' |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/siddharth-in-telugu-film-maha-samudram/article32637969.ece |access-date=23 December 2020 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="indianexpress.com"/> The film was originally intended to be shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sharwanand's next in Tamil titled Maha Samudram |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sharwanands-next-in-tamil-titled-mahasamudram/articleshow/77973580.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2021 |title=Siddharth-Sharwanand's bilingual film 'Maha Samudram' to release in August |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/siddharth-sharwanands-bilingual-film-maha-samudram-release-august-142603 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> However, the Tamil version was subsequently dropped in favour of a dubbed release.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81509786 |title=Watch Maha Samudram (Tamil) | Netflix |website=Netflix}}</ref>
The principal photography of the film began on 7 December 2020<ref>{{Cite news |title=The shooting begins for Siddharth, Sharwanand, and Aditi Rao Hydari starrer Maha Samudram - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/the-shooting-begins-for-siddharth-sharwanand-and-aditi-rao-hydari-starrer-maha-samudram/articleshow/79610144.cms |access-date=23 December 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> and wrapped up on 9 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Siddharth and Sharwanand's Maha Samudram shoot wrapped, new poster out |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/siddharth-and-sharwanand-s-maha-samudram-shoot-wrapped-new-poster-out-1825872-2021-07-09 |date=9 July 2021 |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Maha Samudram wraps up shoot |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/090721/maha-samudram-wraps-up-shoot.html |date=9 July 2021 |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == {{Infobox album | name = Maha Samudram | type = soundtrack | artist = Chaitan Bharadwaj | cover = | alt = | released = 24 October 2020 (Jukebox) | recorded = 2020 | venue = | studio = Tweaknob Studios<br/>Studio 47<br/>Studio H | genre = Feature film soundtrack, Romance | length = {{Duration|m=18|s=42}} | language = Telugu | label = Sony Music India | producer = Chaitan Bharadwaj | prev_title = SR Kalyanamandapam | prev_year = 2021 | year = 2021 | next_title = Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha | next_year = 2023 | chronology = | misc = {{External media | audio1 = {{YouTube|3WmOUcBwa-A|Audio Jukebox}}}} }}
The songs were composed by Chaitan Bharadwaj. {{Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Hey Rambha Rambha | lyrics1 = Bhaskarabhatla | extra1 = Chaitan Bharadwaj | length1 = 3:33 | title2 = Cheppake Cheppake | lyrics2 = Chaitanya Prasad | extra2 = Deepthi Parthasarathy | length2 = 4:43 | title3 = Hey Thikamaka Modale | lyrics3 = Kittu Vissapragada | extra3 = Haricharan, Nutana Mohan | length3 = 3:54 | title4 = Jagadale Raani | lyrics4 = Bhaskarabhatla | extra4 = Vedala Hemachandra | length4 = 3:19 | title5 = Manasu Marige Mounamgane | lyrics5 = Chaitanya Prasad | extra5 = Gowtham Bharadwaj | length5 = 3:13 | title6 = | lyrics6 = | extra6 = | length6 = | title7 = | lyrics7 = | extra7 = | length7 = | all_writing = | title8 = | length8 = | title9 = | length9 = | title10 = | length10 = | total_length = 17.62 }}
== Release == The film was initially scheduled to be released on 19 August 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/maha-samudram-release-date-sharwanand-siddharth-and-aditi-to-arrive-on-august-19/articleshow/80598308.cms |title='Maha Samudram' release date: Sharwanand, Siddharth and Aditi to arrive on August 19 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> In August 2021, the new release date was announced as 14 October 2021.<ref name="new" />
==References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|13131798}}
Category:2021 films Category:2021 action drama films Category:2021 Telugu-language films Category:2021 Indian films Category:Indian action drama films Category:Films set in Andhra Pradesh Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh Category:Films set in Visakhapatnam Category:Films shot in Visakhapatnam Category:Films scored by Chaitan Bharadwaj