Tenali Rama (TV series)

Tenali Rama is an Indian historical comedy drama based on the life of the legendary Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna, one of the Ashtadiggajas (or the eight honorable) poets at the court of Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya (C.E. 1509–1529), who is often cited as the greatest Vijayanagara emperor.[1][2] The series premiered on SAB TV on 11 July 2017.

Tenali Rama
Genre
Created byAbhimanyu Singh
Developed byManikya Raju
Written byLawrence John
Screenplay byTimir Bhakshi
Story byParitosh Painter
Directed byJackson Sethi
Creative director(s)Dikshit Kaul
StarringKrishna Bharadwaj
Pankaj Berry
Manav Gohil
Shakti Anand
Vishwajeet Pradhan
Jiten Mukhi
Jitendra Pathak
Dhruvi Jani
Manul Chudasama
Priyamvada Kant
Sonia Sharma
Aasiya Kazi
Nimisha Vakharia
Sohit Vijay Soni
Neetha Shetty
Ajay Chaudhary
Theme music composerSouvyk Chakraborty
Opening themeTenali Rama
Country of originIndia
Original language(s)Hindi
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes714
Production
Producer(s)Abhimanyu Singh
CinematographyNishi Chandra
Editor(s)Waseed Hussain
Camera setupMultiple camera
Running time21 minutes
Production company(s)Contiloe Entertainment
DistributorSony Pictures Networks
Release
Original networkSAB TV
Picture format
Original release11 July 2017 (2017-07-11) –
present
External links
Website

The show took a 9 months leap in July 2018, a 5 years leap followed by 20 years leap in August 2019 and then a 4 months leap in February 2020. The series is produced by Abhimanyu Singh under the banner of Contiloe Entertainment.[3][4]

Premise

The show traces the journey of a 20-year-old boy, Tenali Rama who dreams of becoming rich and famous but is too lazy to pursue his dreams. When Tenali gets forced into marriage and is compelled to earn a living, a revered saint asks him to go to the temple of the village and recite a specific mantra. Tenali does as he is told and Goddess Kali appears in front of Rama with a bowl of milk and bowl of curd asking him to pick one but Tenali ends up tasting both leaving Kali furious. Later, Tenali reasons out by explaining that what is the use of one without the other. Goddess Kali gets impressed by his wit and says he will become a Vaikatavi, a jesting poet in Krishnadevarayas court. Tenali Rama leaves for Hampi with a desire to become a part of Rayas court. This popular series narrates the journey of Tenali who solves cases with his timely wit and intelligence due to which he becomes very popular in the Kings court.

Plot

Tenali Rama is the story of legendary poet and royal advisor Ramakrishna (Krishna Bharadwaj) in Krishnadevaraya's (Manav Gohil) court who uses his timely wit and intelligence to solve even the trickiest of problems. His arch rival Tathacharya (Pankaj Berry) who wants to humiliate him is often stumped by Tenali's intelligence. In the show, Tenali Rama saves Vijayanagar from various evil elements.

Then the show takes a 5 years leap and then 3 months leap followed by a 20 years leap in which Rama's son, Bhaskar (Krishna Bharadwaj) has returned from his school to Vijaynagar to find the city in ruins. He then realizes that his family is missing.With the help of Tathacharya, he finds Gundappa and Sharda (Aasiya Kazi).

Bhaskar realizes the throne of Vijayanagar is in Balakumaran (Shakti Anand)'s hand. The Minister of the court, Mahamatya Kaikala (Vishwajeet Pradhan) is a traitor towards the country, since many years he has had his eyes on the throne. Later it was also revealed that the Queen Sulakshana Devi (Neetha Shetty) is working with Kaikala to help him achieve his goal. Bhaskar learns that Kaikala and the Queen had kept Ramakrishna and Krishnadevraya as prisoners after Krishnadevraya had left the throne for meditation and penance. Rama had escaped from the prison. After knowing Kaikala's truth Bhaskar decided to expose kaikala but he didn't have any evidence so Bhaskar took disguise of Tenali Rama and came to Vijayanagar court and tried to fail Kaikala's plans. He made everyone realise that he was Pandit Ramakrishna. Soon the queen and Kaikala split up after she realised Kaikala could even kill her to get the throne. Later, Kaikala's true identities and the fact that he kept Rama and Krishnadevraya as prisoner are revealed by disguised Bhaskar, though the truth of the queen is not revealed.It was shown that Kaikala's son, Pralayankar (Ajay Chaudhary) helps Kaikala get caught. Pralayankar too has his eyes set on throne.

The Queen forced Balakumaran to resign from the post of king and she herself took charge of Vijayangar through majority in the court. Soon real Tenali Rama returns Vijaynagar and realises that the kingdom is not as prosperous as it was 20 years ago. Four months later , Queen, Pralayankar, Charulata (Queen's sister) and bodyguard all team up against Tenali Rama. Now Rama and Bhaskar are trying to save Vijayanagar from enemies. Tenali Ramakrishna tries to revive golden era of Vijaynagar.

Cast

Main

Recurring
  • Jiten Mukhi as Timmarasu (2017–2019)
  • Jitendra Pathak as Nagar Kotwal (2017–2019)
  • Pradeep Kabra as Senapati Nakush (2019–2020)
  • Priyamvada Kant as Sharda, Rama's wife (2017–2018) (Replaced)
  • Niya Sharma as Sharda, Rama's wife (2018–2019) (Replaced)
  • Aasiya Kazi as Sharda, Rama's wife (2019–)
  • Dhruvi Jani as Kanta, Bhaskar's childhood best friend. (2019–2020)
  • Manul Chudasama as Princess Amrapali, Kaikala's daughter and Pralyankar's sister. She is also Bhaskar's friend and love interest. (2019–)
  • Ajay Chaudhary as Pralyankar, Kaikala's son and Churulata's husband. (2020—)
  • Nimisha Vakharia as Lakshmi Amma, Rama's mother (2017–2019; 2020—)
  • Ayaan as child Bhaskar, Rama and Sharda's son (2018–2019)
  • Chahat Pandey as Ananta Lakshmi, Tathacharya's younger sister and Govind's love interest. (2018)
  • Meghan Jadhav as Govind, Sharda's younger brother and Ananta Lakshmi's love interest. (2018)
  • Sonia Sharma as Chinnadevi, Krishnadevraya's first wife (2017–2019)
  • Priyanka Singh as Tirumalamba, Krishnadevraya's second wife (2017–2019)
  • Cheshta Mehta as Charulata, Sulakshana Devi's sister and Pralyankar's wife. (2020—)
  • Ketan Karande as Bharkham, Sulakshana Devi's cousin (2020—)
  • Krish Parekh as Child Gundappa, Rama's friend (2017–2019)
  • Aman Mishra as Gundappa, Rama's friend (2019–)
  • Sohit Soni as Manicharya (Mani), Tathacharya's Disciple (2017–)
  • Sanjay Mangnani as Dhanicharya (Dhani), Tathacharya's Disciple (2017–)
  • Neha Chauhan as Varunmala, Tathacharya's wife (2017–2019)
  • Heer Chopra as Saudamini, Royal Dancer (2017–2019)
  • Nishi Singh as Kotwalan, Kotwal's wife (2017–2018) (Replaced)
  • Rishina Kandhari as Goddess Laxmi / Durga and Navdurga 9 avtars / Kaali / Saraswati (2018–2019)

Cameo appearances

Production

Regarding the series Tenali Rama, Neeraj Vyas, Senior EVP & Head, Channel SAB and MAX cluster of channels, said, "India has a compelling tradition of both written and oral folklore. Our epics are treasures that teach life lessons via stories. Tenali Rama was a legendary poet of the 15th century. He is immortal, his wit being admired even in today's times. With Tenali Rama's adaptation on SAB, we intend to offer a restored and renewed version of this classic chronicle."[10]

Casting

Krishna Bharadwaj was chosen to play the titular role of Tenali Rama and went bald for it. Speaking on how he got the role, he said, "I have been waiting for something good to come my way".When I received a call for Tenali Rama, I was shocked to be informed that I would have to go bald. But then I decided to give it a try, and it all fell into places. I feel there has been a divine force blessing me for I have managed to sink my teeth into the character so well. I did not do any research nor read about it but I can assure I am doing a good job, even though I do not consider myself so capable. As for the baldness, the first day, I was really upset but now I see Tenali in the mirror and not Krishna, and that takes away the blues."[11]

It was reported in June 2017 that Manav Gohil had been cast to play the pivotal role of Emperor Krishnadevraya. Gohil, who worked with SAB TV on Yam Hain Hum, where he played the titular role, said, "This time it's Krishnadevaraya, a very powerful king that I am portraying. It's a comedy show and I am looking forward to working with a new set of people. The show is "Tenali Rama" and I am so ready to get rolling with this one."[12]

Veteran actor Pankaj Berry was cast to play the series' antagonist and Tenali Rama's foe frenemy, Tathacharya, who is the royal priest in the court room of Emperor Krishnadevraya, and always makes Tenali Rama in trouble in cases with his fellow servants, Dhani and Mani, in which he totally dislikes them. Berry said, "I am very excited to play Tathacharya. It is a very different kind of challenging role, there are different layers to the character even though it's a negative character."[13] It was reported in July 2017 that Sonia Sharma and Priyanka Singh had been cast to play the roles of Krishnadevraya's wives, Chinna Devi and Tirumalamba, respectively.[14]

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2017 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Pankaj Berry Nominated
2018 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Children's Program Tenali Rama[15] Won
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress in a Comic Role Nimisha Vakharia Nominated
2019 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Manav Gohil Nominated
Indian Telly Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role Pankaj Berry Nominated

Historical inaccuracies
  • The series portrays Chinna Devi as Krishnadevaraya's senior wife and chief queen and Tirumalamba as his junior wife.[14] This is inaccurate. Tirumalamba (also known as Tirumala Devi) was actually Krishnadevaraya's senior wife and his chief queen or patta manishi.[16][17] She was the princess of Srirangapattana and Krishnadevaraya had married her most probably in 1498, long before his accession to the throne in 1509.[18] Chinna Devi was actually princess of Koorg pradesh to whom Krishnadevaraya had married immediately after his accession to the throne and was his junior wife.[16]
  • Tathacharya was a very wise priest unless shown in the Serial. But it's true that he hates and tries to get rid of Tenali Rama.
  • Ananta Lakshmi and Saudamini were his daughters not girlfriend or sister.
  • Successor of Krishnadevaraya was Achyuta Deva Raya not Balakumaran or Sulakshana devi.

Reception

Shweta Keshri of India Today gave the series a positive review, praising Krishna Bharadwaj's portrayal of Tenali Rama, the VFX and special effects of the series, the colourful sets and comic content which "can easily lure viewers to the show and takes you back to the 15th century."[19]

Adaptations

Tenali Rama aired on Zee Tamil under the title Tenali Raman and was dubbed in Tamil.[20] It was dubbed and aired in Telugu on Zee Telugu as Thenali Ramakrishna.[21] The series was also aired on Zee Keralam as Tennali Raman, dubbed in Malayalam.[22] It is dubbed and aired in Sinhala on TV Derana as Panditha Rama.

See also

References
  1. Raychaudhuri, edited by Tapan; Habib, Irfan (1981). The Cambridge economic history of India (1. publ. ed.). Cambridge [Eng.]: Cambridge University Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780521226929.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. Rao, P. Raghunanda (1989). Indian heritage and culture (1st ed.). New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Unlimited. p. 38. ISBN 9788120709300.
  3. "Tenali Rama Serial Episode On SAB:Times Of india". 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  4. "Sony SAB presents the epic folklore 'Tenali Rama'". The Times of India. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  5. TNN (11 August 2017). "Tenali Rama is trapped between the two wives of King KrishnadevrayaIndia".
  6. "Manav Gohil exits 'Tenali Rama', Shakti Anand steps in to play the new king". The Times of India.
  7. "Barkha Bisht turns Goddess Kali in 'Tenali Rama'". The Times of India.
  8. https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/bollywood-actress-minissha-lamba-enters-tenali-rama-as-vishkanya-180220
  9. "Rati Pandey joins the cast of Tenali Rama". The Times of India.
  10. TNN (11 July 2017). "Tenali Rama tales come alive on television". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  11. Farzeen, Sana (4 July 2017). "TV show Tenali Rama earnings will bail me out of debts: Actor Krishna Bhardwaj". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  12. IANS (20 June 2017). "Manav Gohil excited for 'Tenali Rama'". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  13. Team, Tellychakkar (23 June 2017). "Veteran actor Pankaj Berry joins SAB TV's Tenali Rama". Tellychakkar.com. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  14. TNN (19 July 2017). "Actress Priyanka Singh and Sonia Sharma plays the role of Krishnadevraya's wives in Tenali Rama". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  15. "Tenali Rama : Best Children's Show". India Today. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  16. Jackson, William J. (2016). "7". Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature. Routledge. ISBN 9781317001928.
  17. Verghese, Anila (2001). Hampi. Delhi: Oxford University Press. p. 15. ISBN 9780195654332.
  18. Life and Achievements of Sri Krishnadevaraya. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Karnataka. 2010. p. 27.
  19. Keshri, Shweta (12 July 2017). "Tenali Rama review: 5 things we loved about this historic comedy". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  20. "Zee Tamil to launch a new historical fiction Tenali Raman". Best Media Info.
  21. "Zee Telugu brings Thenali Ramakrishna and his witty antics every weeknight". Adgully.com.
  22. "Tennali Raman to go on air from April 6". Times Of India.
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