Guntur Kaaram: Fans point out similarities between Mahesh Babu starrer and Mammootty’s Rajamanikyam

The makers of Mahesh Babu starrer Guntur Kaaram released their official trailer on Sunday evening. While the trailer expectedly floored the Telugu film audience as it projected Mahesh Babu’s swag in an action-driven avatar and promised a wholesome entertainment also high on emotions, many discerning film enthusiasts also noticed the film resembling similarities with another South Indian film starring another popular star.

Fans point out similarities between Guntur Kaaram and Rajamanikyam

By the looks of its trailer, Guntur Kaaram promises to be an entertaining drama about a dysfunctional mother-son duo, while also comprising of many other elements that make for a bonafide massy Telugu movie. Coincidentally, this premise is very similar to the storyline of the 2005 film Rajamanikyam, starring Malayalam star Mammootty in the lead role.

Directed by Anwar Rasheed, Rajamanikyam is centred around an abandoned child who grows up to a robust, confident man who reunites with his estranged mother much later in life and sets off to reunite his warring siblings. Not too long after Guntur Kaaram trailer was released online, netizens took to X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms, to point out the similarities between the Mahesh Babu starrer and Mammootty’s 2005 film.

'Rajamanikyam sort of angle', posted an X user

One X user posted, “I understood there is a Rajamanikya sort of angle. That way looks interesting.” Another X user penned in their post, “Story looks similar to Rajamanikyam. Similar feelz,” even posting a Mammootty still from Rajamanikyam where the actor’s look is very identical to Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram look, replete with black shades, gold chain and an air of swag.

Meanwhile, another X user referenced a popular Telugu novel as well, which reportedly has a plot along similar lines - a novel titled Keerthi Kiritalu, which is about a successful classical musician who has her own share of secrets and guilt underneath.

Rajamanikyam was a huge commercial success, and remained the highest grossing Malayalam movie for the next few years. Additionally, Mammootty’s character Bellary Raja attained a cult status in Kerala. Now it remains to be seen whether Mahesh Babu achieves similar success and popularity with Guntur Kaaram.