Kick 2

After completing work on Race Gurram (2014), Surender Reddy wanted to make an experimental film which he later kept on hold and announced the sequel of Kick (2009), bankrolled by actor Nandamuri Kalyan Ram under the banner N.T.R. Arts, in late March 2014 when the script work was in its final stages.[4] Reddy wanted its protagonist Ravi Teja to complete his work on Power (2014) before joining the shoot of the sequel,[5][6] adding that this film, though a namesake sequel to Kick, would show Ravi Teja carrying some continuity from the prequel.[7]

Vakkantham Vamsi, who wrote the script of the prequel, was confirmed to provide this film's story.[8] Kalyan Ram tentatively titled the film as Kick 2 in late May 2014 with an intention of changing it after a month or so to avoid confusions if any.[9] The film was launched officially on 20 August 2014 at Hyderabad with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Allu Arjun in attendance as the chief guests.[10] Later, Ravi Teja revealed that the film's story will be the one of the son of the prequel's lead pair, adding that the sequel is just an extension of the prequel.[11]

Tamannaah (left) was initially approached for female lead but due to scheduling conflicts, Rakul (right) was cast

Surender Reddy wanted to select Tamannaah as the female lead. However, because of lack of dates, she rejected the offer as her dates were available only in August 2014.[12] Later it was speculated that a new actress would be paired with Ravi Teja.[13] The search for the lead actress was still going on after the film's launch.[11] Rakul Preet Singh was confirmed as the heroine on 11 September 2014.[14] It was reported that Ravi Teja would be seen playing a dual role as a father and son.[15] Vikram Singh was selected as the antagonist.[16] Sudeep was reported to be a part of the film who confirmed that Surender Reddy met him months ago for the same.[17] Rajpal Yadav confirmed his inclusion on 10 November 2014 marking his Telugu debut.[18] Rakul Preet Singh was reported to walk out from the project though Surender Reddy confirmed it to be a rumor later.[19] Rakul Preet confirmed that she would be seen in two avatars - one being a city bred girl and the other being a Village belle. She clarified that she would not be seen in a dual role adding that she cannot reveal anything beyond that.[20] Ravi Kishan was selected for a negative role, marking his second film in Tollywood industry with, director Surender Reddy again after Race Gurram.[21] Vikram Singh who was cast as villain opted out of this project citing date issues. He said that he was upset going out of this movie and wished good luck for the film. Then, Chennai Express fame, Nikitin Dheer was considered for another villain role.[22][23] Mumbai based model Kabir Duhan Singh was also signed in for another villain role who acts as a son to Ravi Kishan in the movie.[24] Nora Fatehi has been signed to do a special song in the film.[25][26] Top comedian Brahmanandam was reported to play an important role in the film.[27] In late June 2015, it was known that Ravi Teja insisted director to take Sanjai Mishra into the film, marking his Telugu debut.[28]

It was reported that the filming would start in June 2014.[12] The principal photography started on 20 August 2014.[29] Later, Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation served a strike notice to the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce demanding a 100% raise in their wages. The secretary of the Chamber held talks with them and it was reported that if they fail, the shootings of many films including this film would be halted.[30] The filming continued after the strike was called off and few scenes on Ravi Teja and Rajpal Yadav were shot in Hyderabad in late November 2014.[31] A Rajasthan village set costing ₹20 million was erected near Rajendra Nagar in the outskirts of Hyderabad on which ₹2 million was spent daily for shooting.[32] The film was shot continuously for 66 hours in Hyderabad.[33] By January 2015, 70% shooting was completed, said by director Surender Reddy in an interview to a leading daily newspaper Deccan Chronicle.[34] The film was later shot extensively in Rajasthan and the film's climax was shot in Jaisalmer in late January 2015.[35] Filming continued at Hampi in late January 2015 where a big schedule was planned there to shoot key scenes on whose completion, 90% of the filming would be completed.[36] After completion of Hampi schedule filming began in Hyderabad[37][38] Leading actor of this movie, Ravi Teja sheds 6 kg for a special role in this film.[39][40] By shooting talkie part in February and March, shooting of two songs was started in Switzerland on 22 March 2015. This schedule was up to 31 March 2015. And by shooting another last song from 3 April 2015 in Annapurna Studios the shoot of talkie part including all the songs was completed.[41]

The film's overseas theatrical rights were sold to Classics Entertainments for an undisclosed high price in April 2015.[59] European Telugu Colors bagged the distribution rights across Europe associating with Classics Entertainments.[60]

First look posters and a 36-second video teaser of the film was released marking Ravi Teja's birthday on 26 January 2015. The teaser of "Kick 2" shows Ravi Teja's look in the film, but it does not offer any hint about his role or the film's plot and has been viewed by more than one million people on YouTube within five days. Music director S Thaman's background score featured in the teaser has also been appreciated by viewers.[61] The theatrical trailer and some promos of video songs were released at audio launch event. The viewers were very much impressed by the trailer. Ravi Teja was showcased in quite a stylish way only revealing the essence of the script.[62] The theatrical trailer has been viewed by more than million people on YouTube within six days and proved the craze surrounding the project.[63][64]

The Times of India gave the film a rating of three out of five stars and wrote that "The first half of the film is enjoyable due to being high on emotions, laced with elements of fun, however, the pace slows in second half and so does the entertainment quotient".[65] The Hindu wrote that "For those who like the Kick format, there’s an excess of everything".[66] Deccan Chronicle gave the film a rating of three out of five stars and stated that "Kick 2 offers some entertainment here and there. It’s a typical Ravi Teja film with his mass dialogues and action, which attracts the front benchers".[67] Sify gave the film a rating of two-and-three-quarter out of five and noted that "In one line, Kick 2 does not have the required kick nor does it provide any comfort to the audiences as it is long".[68]