Saleem

Manchu Vishnuvardhan Babu, had only one good film to his credit (Srinu Vytla's, 'Dhee') at that point of time. He happily signed on the dotted line and convinced his father, Manchu Mohan Babu to act in a special role in the film. YVS Chowdary also convinced the heartthrob of Telugu Cinema, Ileana to act in the film. Apparently, she didn't even read the script and signed on the dotted line, just because it's a YVS Chowdary's film who had introduced her to Telugu Cinema with 'Devdas'. Since, Mohan Babu still considers himself a 30 something, YVS Chowdary roped in another bombshell, Kaveri Jha to play a special role in the film.

This is the brief history of how 'Saleem' took birth. But make no mistake, Anarkali's 'Saleem' would be wincing in his grave that YVS Chowdary has used his name and made a complete mockery of both the name 'Saleem' and its cult status.

Vishnuvardhan Babu, the young hero who is ranked last in today's genre of young heroes is struggling hard with his career after successful "Dhee". YVS Chowdary, after shaping "Okka Magaadu" into a damn failure is packed up for nearly one and half year. With the combination of these two, one would generally expect a dumb movie, but spicy Ileana along with versatile artist Mohanbabu's presence in "Saleem" and being made on prestigious "Laxmi Prasanna" banner as their 50th movie with highest budget ever on this banner has raised too many expectations on this movie. Vishnuvardhan as Saleem and Munna had improved in all the departments. Vishnu looked handsome with his lean look in stylish costumes. Vishnu changed his entire get up for Saleem and it looked worth.

The film's production took almost 2 years, BIG Pictures and Adlabs jointly produced the film and the total budget of the film hit a whopping Rs.23 crores. Finally, the movie released on December 12th, 2009.

On the whole, Saleem is a message oriented thriller which has its moments. Exciting second half and a engaging climax are basic plus points. While technically sound, the film has certain memorable moments.

Positives Cinematography Second Half Good Narration Music and Background Score Editing

one more flop in the same old love+action genre.we don't understand where the 23cr went after watching the movie.there's also a bit of vulgarity in the movie.coming to vishnu he looked more stylish.he improved his performance in every field.this movie is a treat for ileana fans.she gives good amount of boost to the movie commercially.all other artists have done satisfactorily.director has chosen a reasonable point but failed in making things fresh,interesting & sensible.it is a very bad attempt by the producers to spend 23cr for such a script.on a whole the movie totally disappoints the one who expects freshness.

"Manchu Vishnu's 'Saleem' released in the year 2009 after a long wait. Ileana, the heroine in demand paired up with him. Mohan Babu also played a key role in the film and that attracted the audiences. Good screenplay and energy high narration till the interval. And the interval bang has got a twist that rotates the heads of audiences to 360 degrees. I cannot reveal that here as that is the only 'suspense factor' in it. Mohan Babu plays the mafia don OJO (an acronym for Ogirala Joginatham) and he has a duet with Kaveri Jha. The twist in the interval narrates rest of the story line with all confusion and cacophony. Who is Saleem is another part of the story that unwraps in second half. "