Radhe Shyam is a 2022 Indian period romantic drama film written and directed by Radha Krishna Kumar. Produced by UV Creations and T-Series, the film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi languages and stars Prabhas and Pooja Hegde. It also features Bhagyashree, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Sathyaraj, Jagapathi Babu, Krishnam Raju, Sachin Khedekar, Murali Sharma and Jayaram in supporting roles. Set in 1970s Italy, the film revolves around a young astrologer named Vikramaditya, who is conflicted between his destiny and his love for Dr. Prerana.
The film's score is composed by Thaman S for the Telugu version while Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara too composed for the Hindi version. The film has two soundtracks: One Hindi and one Telugu. Mithoon, Amaal Mallik and Manan Bhardwaj composed the Hindi songs while Justin Prabhakaran composed the Telugu songs. The cinematography is handled by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing done by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao. Principal photography of the film commenced in October 2018 and ended in July 2021, with filming taking place in Hyderabad, Italy, London, and Georgia. It employed virtual production technology for a scene set in London.
Originally planned for a release on 30 July 2021, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Radhe Shyam was theatrically released on 11 March 2022 and received mixed reviews from critics, praising it cast performances (particularly Prabhas and Pooja Hegde), music direction and production values, but criticised its screenplay and narration. The film grossed – worldwide to become the second highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.
The film also marked Tollywood actor, Rebel Star Krishnam Raju‘s last Telugu film before his death in September.
Plot
In 1978 Italy, Vikramaditya aka Aditya is a young world-renowned astrologer. After having read the palm of the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and mentioned about The Emergency (India), he runs to Rome. Dubbed as the "Einstein of palmistry," he is a disciple of the saint Paramahamsa. Aditya does not believe in romantic relationships, but instantly falls for Dr. Prerana, a gorgeous and clumsy young doctor. They meet on a train but separate thereafter. One day, Vikramaditya reads the palm of Anand Rajput, an aspiring politician and businessman. When Aditya predicts that Rajput cannot be a politician, Rajput's men chase him which results in him having an accident. He is admitted into the hospital where Prerana works and is treated there. After recovering, Aditya proposes to Prerana to be in a flirtationship with him. Prerana, however feels insulted and leaves town but Aditya follows her all the way. She accepts his proposal and they begin to date. Prerana's uncle, Dean Chakravarthy, however, asks her not to develop any deep feelings toward Aditya.
When Aditya and Prerana are traveling on a train, a stranger requests him to read the palm of his daughter, Tara, an aspiring archer. He predicts that she does not have any future in sports, and she should instead focus on education. Amazed by Aditya's skill, everyone in the coach ask for predictions by showing their palm but Aditya hesitantly gets down along with Prerana. However, he realizes that everyone on the train is destined for immediate death. He chases the train to stop it but in vain. Later that evening, the train meets an accident, leading to several casualties. Prerana, who starts to believe in palmistry, asks Aditya to read her palm. He predicts that she would have a long life with a bright future but she faints immediately with a bleeding nose. Prerana is admitted to the hospital where her uncle, who is also a doctor, reveals that she is suffering from an incurable tumor and may die within months. Aditya disagrees since he predicted otherwise but is expelled from the hospital.
Prerana is now hopeful of her life. Her uncle, on the other hand, believes Aditya is a fraud and that only medicine can change her fate. He tests Aditya with five dead people's palms, and Aditya deduces all of them correctly. Her uncle changes his mind and trusts Aditya's prediction. When a cure for Prerana's disease is found, an elated Prerana proposes to Aditya. However, he rejects her by saying he cannot love her as he does not possess a "love line" and would be leaving the country soon. Dejected, Prerana attempts suicide but comes across Aditya's diary. She learns that Aditya was prepared to sacrifice his life to save her. Before leaving, Aditya takes Prerana to a ballroom dance as per her wish and the couple spends the night intimately. Prerana leaves a note in the diary that she'd choose to give up her life instead when such situation arises. She willingly meets a car accident and is admitted to the hospital.