{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = Mestri | image = Mestri (film).jpg | alt = | caption = Promotional poster | native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} --> | director = Suresh Krissna | producer = K. Ramakrishna Prasad | writer = Dasari Narayana Rao | screenplay = | story = | based_on = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} --> | starring = Dasari Narayana Rao | narrator = | music = Vandemataram Srinivas | cinematography = Ch. Ramana Raju | editing = Gautham Raju | studio = Soubhagya Films | distributor = | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2009|3|12}} | runtime = 137 minutes | country = India | language = Telugu | budget = | gross = }} '''''Mestri''''' ({{translation|Expert}}) is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language political drama film directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by K. Ramakrishna Prasad. The film stars Dasari Narayana Rao, who also wrote the story and screenplay, alongside Vijayachander, Pradeep Rawat, Srihari and Vijayakumar. It was released on 12 March 2009. Rao won the Nandi Award for Best Actor.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 October 2010 |title=FMR Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao bags Best Actor award |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/fmr-union-minister-dasari-narayana-rao-bags-best-actor-award-616848 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530095442/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/fmr-union-minister-dasari-narayana-rao-bags-best-actor-award-616848 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=NDTV}}</ref>
== Plot == {{more plot|date=December 2020}} A new labourer at the dockyard suddenly garners the accolades of his colleagues and soon due to his intelligence and the good deeds for his mates becomes their leader. At the same time there are murders of those who seem to be suspicious. Who is their killer? Where from has this new labourer come from? What is his history and ulterior motive?
== Cast == {{cast listing| *Dasari Narayana Rao as Palakollu *Vijayachander as Gopalakrishna<ref name="r">{{Cite web |title=Mestri is a political drama |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/mestri-is-a-political-drama/20090312.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108131728/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/mestri-is-a-political-drama/20090312.htm |archive-date=8 November 2015 |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> *Pradeep Rawat as Subbaraju<ref name="r" /> *Sayaji Shinde as Apparaju<ref name="r" /> *Srihari as a suspended cop<ref name="timesofindia" /> *Sujitha as Jhansi<ref name="idlebrain" /> *Vijayakumar as a fake Gandhian<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite news |title=Mesthri Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/mesthri/movie-review/4264386.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200610165707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/mesthri/movie-review/4264386.cms |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> *Rahul Dev<ref name="idlebrain" /> *Giri Babu<ref name="idlebrain" /> *Chandra Mohan<ref name="idlebrain" /> *M. S. Narayana<ref name="idlebrain" /> *Hema Chaudhary *Madhusudhan Rao as an army officer *Mohan Babu (cameo appearance)<ref name="timesofindia" /> }}
== Production == ''Mestri'' was directed by Suresh Krissna,<ref name="idlebrain" /> and produced by K. Ramakrishna Prasad under Soubhagya Films.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2008 |title=Mohan Babu caricatures Major Devaraju in 'Mestri' |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/mohan-babu-caricatures-major-devaraju-in-mestri-telugu-news-43819.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626162002/https://www.indiaglitz.com/mohan-babu-caricatures-major-devaraju-in-mestri-telugu-news-43819.html |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> Dasari Narayana Rao wrote the story and screenplay,<ref name="idlebrain" /> and Rajendra Kumar wrote the dialogues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2009 |title='Mestri is not preachy' |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/06sld3-suresh-krissna-directs-dasari-narayana-rao.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200626161144/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/06sld3-suresh-krissna-directs-dasari-narayana-rao.htm |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Editing by Gowtam Raju.<ref name="idlebrain">{{Cite web |title=Telugu Movie review – Mesthri |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-mesthri.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200626154650/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-mesthri.html |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=Idlebrain.com}}</ref> Shooting took place predominantly at Ramoji Film City.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 March 2009 |title='Mestri' to release on March 11 |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/mar/05/mestri-to-release-on-march-11-30579.html |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626161514/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/mar/05/mestri-to-release-on-march-11-30579.html |archive-date=26 June 2020}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by Vandemataram Srinivas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2009 |title='Mesthri' music unveiled |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/feb/25/mesthri-music-unveiled-28458.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626145413/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/feb/25/mesthri-music-unveiled-28458.html |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mestry (2009) |url=https://mio.to/album/Mestry+(2009) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200626151601/https://mio.to/album/Mestry+(2009) |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=Music India Online}}</ref> It was released on 23 February 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2009 |title=Music launch of Mesthri |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-mesthri.html |access-date=21 February 2025|website=Idlebrain.com}}</ref> {{Track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Performer(s) | total_length = | title_width = | writing_width = | music_width = | lyrics_width = | extra_width = | title1 = Anna Mestry Anna | note1 = | writer1 = | lyrics1 = | music1 = | extra1 = Shankar Mahadevan, Geetha Madhuri | length1 = | title2 = Naagamalli Dharilo | note2 = | writer2 = | lyrics2 = | music2 = | extra2 = Vandemataram Srinivas | length2 = | title3 = Anagaanaga | note3 = | writer3 = | lyrics3 = | music3 = | extra3 = K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | length3 = | title4 = Yedanunchi Vachaavo | note4 = Bit | writer4 = | lyrics4 = | music4 = | extra4 = Shankar Mahadevan | length4 = | title5 = Mana Mathrubasha Telugu | note5 = | writer5 = | lyrics5 = | music5 = | extra5 = K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Manjula K | length5 = | title6 = Vasthanantay Vasthadu | note6 = | writer6 = | lyrics6 = | music6 = | extra6 = Jayam Srinivas, Pranava Sheshasai | length6 = | title7 = O Thalli Na Thalli | note7 = | writer7 = | lyrics7 = | music7 = | extra7 = Vandemataram Srinivas | length7 = }}
== Release and reception == ''Mestri'' was released on 12 March 2009,<ref name="idlebrain" /> and became controversial because many of its dialogues were interpreted as being targeted at the-then Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi, despite Krissna's denial.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasa Rao |first=A. |date=16 March 2009 |title=Andhra rivals slug it out on silver screen |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections-south/andhra-pradesh/story/andhra-rivals-slug-it-out-on-silver-screen-41805-2009-03-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610165752/https://www.indiatoday.in/elections-south/andhra-pradesh/story/andhra-rivals-slug-it-out-on-silver-screen-41805-2009-03-16 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2009 |title=Telugu film Mestri takes a jibe at Chiranjeevi? |work=Hindustan Times |agency=IANS |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-film-mestri-takes-a-jibe-at-chiranjeevi/story-menCxEoVYeyaRkRwV9P5RL.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626145620/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-film-mestri-takes-a-jibe-at-chiranjeevi/story-menCxEoVYeyaRkRwV9P5RL.html |archive-date=26 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2012 |title=Dasari's political satire |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/dasaris-political-satire/articleshow/12880475.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240131133955/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/dasaris-political-satire/articleshow/12880475.cms |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=14 July 2020 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Radhika Rajamani of ''Rediff.com'' rated the film two stars out of five, saying, "One has to wait to see if the climate is favourable for ''Mestri''<nowiki/>'s percolation to the audience in all the centres."<ref name="r" /> ''The Times of India'' said it "fails to impress on many counts. Barring some potshots against Chiranjeevi and advising youngsters not to be 'star-struck', the film offers little else. Even the predictable and slow-moving screenplay takes its toll on the audience."<ref name="timesofindia" /> ''Sify'' wrote, "The film is just laced on a Utopian model and hence lacks entertainment values."<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2009 |title=Mesthri |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/mesthri-review-telugu-pclwWFebahccd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200626151550/https://www.sify.com/movies/mesthri-review-telugu-pclwWFebahccd.html |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |website=Sify}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}} {{Suresh Krissna}}
Category:2009 Indian films Category:2000s political drama films Category:2009 Telugu-language films Category:2009 controversies Category:2009 films Category:Films directed by Suresh Krissna Category:Films scored by Vandemataram Srinivas Category:Indian political drama films Category:Political controversies in film Category:Political controversies in India