Raja Raja Chora (2021): watch the full film free, legally

Bhaskar’s double life in the city

Raja Raja Chora is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language crime comedy, written and directed by Hasith Goli in his directorial debut. Produced by Abhishek Agarwal Arts and People Media Factory, it stars Sree Vishnu, Megha Akash, Sunaina and Ravi Babu. The film was released on 19 August 2021. Its title is a pun on the name of the Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola.

Bhaskar begins as a burglar, breaking into a house at night to steal valuables. By day, he works at a stationery store, where he manipulates customers for extra money without the owner’s knowledge. He tells his girlfriend Sanjana that he is a software engineer, dressing as a software employee whenever they meet. They plan to move to Bangalore and imagine buying a house of their own.

His deceptions extend further. Bhaskar is married to Vidya, a law student, and they have a son, though the couple are estranged. He remains with Vidya because she threatens to file a cheating case, while she repeatedly demands money for her education. Sanjana eventually discovers that Bhaskar has a child. Bhaskar, in turn, learns that Sanjana is a salesgirl rather than a software employee, and tells her that he is a widower.

Sanjana’s maternal uncle, Sub Inspector William Reddy, faces pressure to reduce crime in his jurisdiction and end the under-reporting of cases in pursuit of a promotion. He is also involved with Buela, the wife of his friend Madhav, visiting their home while Madhav is away for work. Fed up with his two lives, Bhaskar decides on one last heist to fund a move to Bangalore with Sanjana.

A king costume and a risky robbery

Bhaskar stores stolen goods at Anjamma’s workshop. At her insistence, he wears a theatrical king’s costume, which she believes brings immense wealth. He then targets the house of Madhav’s neighbour. On the same night, Madhav returns early from a camp, while William tries to leave Madhav’s house before his friend arrives.

Madhav catches William half-dressed with Buela. As Bhaskar departs from the neighbouring robbery, he climbs over a wall into Madhav’s house, bringing all three men together. The story follows Bhaskar, his family and those who cross his path, addressing survival in the city, crime, punishment and redemption.

Hasith Goli’s debut and Vivek Sagar’s score

The script was completed in three months. Though the film was officially announced in February 2020, principal photography had begun earlier that year. In March 2020, T. G. Vishwaprasad told Deccan Chronicle that the first schedule had been completed. Filming paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in India and resumed in October 2020.

Vivek Sagar composed the soundtrack and score, his second collaboration with Sree Vishnu after Brochevarevarura in 2019. “Raja Raju Vacche,” written by Hasith Goli with primary vocals by Mohana Bhogaraju, was released on 28 March 2021. “Maaya Maaya” followed on 12 August 2021, sung by Anurag Kulkarni and written by Sanapati Bharadwaj Patrudu. Its additional primarily backing vocals were by Yashwanth Nag, Anup Kumar Deshpande, Lakshmi Meghana, Sai Madhav, Ritesh Rao, Junaid Kumar and Shahbaaz Khan.

Critical response was positive overall. The Hindu’s Sangeetha Devi Dundoo called it a quirky comedy with laugh-aloud segments and an emotional tale of punishment and redemption, praising the cast, music, cinematography and editing. The Times of India’s Neeshitha Nyayapati rated it 3/5, appreciating the screenplay and narrative style while finding the runtime unjustified. Sakshi reviewer Anji Shetty rated it 2.75/5, praised the storyline, background score and cinematography, and felt the direction could have been better.

Film details from the Wikipedia article “Raja Raja Chora”. Text adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.