Konda Polam

Kataru "Ravi" Ravindranath has passed the Indian civil service exam with top marks. During the interview, he is asked why he wants to join the Indian Forest Service when he can pick any branch.

In the past, Ravi was the only educated man in his village of shepherds, but he couldn't find a job despite searching for years in Hyderabad due to his nervousness. Finally, he has to take up his father's profession when a drought forces the village to take the sheep far away in search of pastures to feed the sheep and water to drink. At first, he is a scared fish out of water amidst the shepherds in the forests and hills they travel through. However, he meets Obulamma (affectionately called "Obu"), a fearless and kind young woman, who helps him learn about shepharding and nature along with the other shepherds. Their journey is hazardous as they face tigers, sandalwood smugglers, goat thieves, limited food and water supplies, and the risk they might not find a suitable environment for the goats to graze. Ravi learns quickly and uses his newfound skills to fight these threats. Eventually, Ravi and Obu fall in love, but Ravi's father insists that he stay away from her due to his unemployment, so he rejects her advances. Finally, Ravi comes faces to face with the tiger and, reflecting on his previous lack of initiative, bravely stands up to it and makes it flee.

Back in the interview, Ravi explains that his experience with the tiger gave him a confidence that wasn't in his life before, and that he wants to serve in the Forest Service to help his village and solve their problems. Leaving the interviewers impressed, he is made a District Forest Officer and returns to his village amidst pomp and splendor. He then declares his love for Obu and the two embrace.

• Panja Vaisshnav Tej as Kataru Ravindranath[6]
• Rakul Preet Singh as Obulamma[7]
• Sai Chand
• Kota Srinivasa Rao
• Nassar
• Annapurna
• Hema
• Anthony
• Ravi Prakash
• Syamala as Subhadra
• Mahesh Vitta as friend of Hero
• Racha Ravi
• Ashok Vardhan
• Anand Vihari
• Pranitha as Vaisshnav's sister

In 2020, Krish Jagarlamudi acquired the rights of novel Konda Polam by Sannapureddi Venkata Ramireddy. He adapted the novel to make it a theatrical extravaganza, casting Panja Vaishnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead.[8] In September 2020, it was reported that Rakul Preet Singh resumed the shooting of the film which is being shot in Vikarabad, Telangana forest.[9] In an interview Krish, the director of the film said, “During famines, many people from the shepherding community go to forest areas along with their sheep for their livelihood. This process is called 'Konda Polam'. We will be showcasing this adventurous journey very clearly in this film.”[10]

The soundtrack is composed by M. M. Keeravani and lyrics are penned by M.Keeravaani, Chandrabose and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. "Obulamma" first track of the soundtrack was released on 27 August 2021 by Mango Music.[11] "Shwaasalo" the second song was released on 30 September.[12][13]

Soundtrack album was launched in an event held at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh on 2 October 2021.[14][15] Shreya Ghoshal and M. M. Keeravani's collaboration is back for the song "Chettekki" after a decade. She rendered "Chiranjeeva" for 2011 film Badrinath composed by him.

The film received mixed to positive reviews. Critics commended the unique story, visuals and acting, with the use of body language and eyes being particularly noticed. However, the pacing and length was criticized, with the need for certain scenes and a musical duet being questioned.[16][17][18] Commercially, the film lost money in theatres but recovers its budget from satellite and streaming rights, with Amazon Prime Video buying the film's streaming rights for ₹35,000,000.[19]

• Konda Polam at IMDb