Kakatiya emperor Ganapati Deva is blessed with a daughter but raises her as a boy and names Rudra Deva fearing that the ministers, the kings and citizens wont accept a girl as his successor.
Rudra Deva Anushka comes to know her real identity and the reason behind this camouflage and continues to act as male. She falls in love with her friend and Nidadavolu prince Rana but refuses to get married as she is committed to keep Kakatiya dynasty growing.
She faces challenges from Devagiri king Vikram Jith and as well as Gona Ganna Reddy Allu Arjun. But is Gona Ganna Reddy really her opponent And what will happen when all folks come to know that she is not Rudra Deva but Rudrama Devi Answers can be found in the rest of movie.
Analysis:
As the story of Rudrama Devi belongs to a rich Telugu culture all were eager to lap up the movie but the director Gunasekhar has missed a great opportunity to create history with this movie.
He has invested huge money risk brought in good technicians and popular stars in the principal roles yet he lapsed on screenplay front.
Gunasekhar who has always been known for attempting to tell the stories with huge sets and grandeur visuals has dared to make Rudramadevi with a budget of Rs 60 Crore. The budget and his hard work is all there to see but sans effectiveness.
After setting up the movie nicely with decent first half he has thrown up hands post interval as the movie drags on and on. Not that the movie lacks its merits or spectacular moments but they are fewer. The cons weigh over the pros towards the end of the movie.
When Gona Ganna Reddy character is introduced a kind of high energy comes in to the story and moves on nicely till the interval bang. Alas it doesnt sustain the momentum later.
One of the major highlights of the movie apart from Gona Ganna Reddy introduction is the scene of little Rudrama trying to know her real identity.
Director Gunasekhar also wastes time on the male disguised female Rudramadevi showing little on the noble and adventure activities of the great Kakatiya queen. Her great works are mentioned but not shown. Also more focus was shown on the songs the romance between Anushka and Rana which doesnt impress at all.
Barring the battle technique of snake and eagle shaped soldiers encircling Rudrama Devi there are no gripping moments post interval.
There is also TV serial atmosphere in the court room of Ganapathi Devudu and Rudramadevi with all kings and ministers provincial leaders behaving so cheaply. Also the building of Seven Wall Fort should have been shown in more detail.
All in all appreciation to Gunasekhar goes for the fact that through the movie he tries to bring rich history of Telugu land on to the screen. Other than this fact the movie has more demerits than the merits.
The movie is only for people who want to know how Rudrama Devi ruled in the guise of a male.
Greatandhra