Johnny (2003 film)

Johnny
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPawan Kalyan
Written byPawan Kalyan
Based on
"The Last Leaf"
by
Produced byAllu Aravind
StarringPawan Kalyan
Renu Desai
Raghuvaran
CinematographyChota K. Naidu
Shyam Palav
Edited byYusuf Khan
Music byRamana Gogula
Production
company
Distributed byK. A. D. Movies
Release date
  • 25 April 2003 (2003-04-25)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Johnny is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language martial arts film written and directed by Pawan Kalyan. Produced by Allu Aravind, the film starred Pawan Kalyan in the title role, while Renu Desai, Raghuvaran, and Raza Murad played pivotal roles. The film revolves around a martial arts coach who decides to use his skills to earn prize money in competitions required to save his wife suffering from blood cancer.[1]

The theatrical distribution rights of Johnny were sold for over ₹21 crore, the highest price ever for a Telugu film at the time.[2] The film was released on April 25, 2003.[1] It also became the first-ever Telugu film to be released with over 250 prints worldwide including the United States.[3][4] It became the first flop in Pawan Kalyan's career after six consecutive hits.[5] The film was acknowledged for its stylish presentation and fight sequences, but the writing was criticised.[6] Despite the film's commercial failure, its action choreography is considered to have set new standards in Telugu cinema reflecting a more grounded and believable approach to action.[7] The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Movie Review - Johnny". Idlebrain.com. 25 April 2003. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ Vijayalaxmi (23 April 2003). "Pawan Kalyan sets a record". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Pawan Kalyan and Renu Desai's Johnny completes 17 Years today". The Times of India. 28 April 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 July 2024. Its most significant accomplishment was being the first Telugu movie to be released with over 250 prints worldwide, including the United States.
  4. ^ a b "Pawan Kalyan Birthday: As Actor Turns 48, Here are 5 of His Best Films". News18. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2024. Johnny became the first ever Telugu film to be released with over 250 prints worldwide including the United States. Johnny was screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference johnny was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Poor screenplay messed up Johnny : Pawan Kalyan". 123Telugu.com. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  7. ^ Padhi, Sandeep (23 May 2021). "The Action In Pawan Kalyan's Johnny". Film Companion. Retrieved 1 August 2024.