Spyder (film)

Originally, Mahesh Babu planned to make his direct debut in Tamil, after the dubbed Tamil version of Srimanthudu (2015), titled Selvandhan, received a decent response from audiences.[17] He officially announced that his next film with Srikanth Addala titled Brahmotsavam (2016), and produced by PVP Cinema, will be a bilingual shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil with the same title.[18] After opining that the script has the potential to commercially succeed in both the languages without making many changes, Mahesh accepted the proposal of a Telugu-Tamil bilingual.[9] However, the plan was later dropped.[19]

In November 2015, Mahesh Babu had announced for his next project directed by A. R. Murugadoss,[20] which would be a Tamil-Telugu bilingual, marking Mahesh's first direct Tamil debut,[21] as well as A. R. Murugadoss' return to Telugu cinema industry, a decade after his last film with the Chiranjeevi-starrer Stalin (2006).[22] The project was expected to kickstart the following year,[23] with Santhosh Sivan, who worked with Murugadoss in Thuppakki (2012), will be the cinematographer,[24] and Harris Jayaraj, who scored music for Murugadoss' earlier films, Ghajini, 7aum Arivu and Thuppakki.[25]

It was reported that Mahesh Babu will play the role of a police officer in the film,[26] although reports claimed that Mahesh will play the role of a RAW agent.[27] The title of the film was also rumoured to be Abhimanyu.[28] However on December 2016, the makers announced the tentative title of the film as Sambhavami, which received mixed response from fans.[29] On 18 March 2017, the film's title was revealed to be Spyder.[10]

In March 2016, Parineeti Chopra was initially signed to play the lead actress, making her debut in South Indian cinema.[30][31] However, her non-availability of dates after she was finalised in the Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer Takadum (which was later shelved),[32] meant that the creators approached Rakul Preet Singh in the leading role.[33] S. J. Surya, was hired to play a negative role thus marking his second collaboration,[34] with Mahesh Babu after directing him in Naani (2004), although an actor this time.[35] It is noted that Murugadoss was a former assistant of S. J. Surya in the films Vaali and Kushi. Tamil actor RJ Balaji, was signed in for the film, playing the role of Mahesh Babu's friend.[36] In December 2016, Bharath was signed on to play a negative role.[37][38]

Twin stunt choreographers Anbariv, were eventually roped in for the film to choreograph action sequences,[39] although Peter Hein was roped in for the film.[40] R. C. Kamalakannan, who supervised visual effects for Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), was roped in as a part of the technical crew.[41] Kamalakannan claimed that the film has heavy visual effects, and a Russian principal studio was working on the film.[42][43] Nayanthara was initially claimed to do a crucial role in the film, although Murugadoss denied it.[44]

The film's principal photography commenced in 29 July 2016.[11] Rakul Preet Singh joined the sets on August 2016, where the creators filmed a fresh schedule, focusing on the romantic scene between Rakul and Mahesh.[45] The second schedule of the film, took place in mid-September 2016, in Pune and Bangalore, after the Chennai schedule was wrapped up.[27] On 21 October 2016, Rakul Preet received a minor injury on her left hand, while shooting for an action episode. Although, the actress, who is advised to rest for a day resumed shooting immediately.[46] The third schedule of the film was kickstarted in Hyderabad on November 2016, with filming took place for three weeks.[47] After wrapping up the shoot on 22 November, the team headed to Ahmedabad and Surat, for the fourth schedule.[48] Mahesh extensively shot the schedule for two weeks.[49] After a brief break, the makers resumed the shoot in Mumbai on January 2017, where the introductory scenes featuring Mahesh Babu, was being shot.[50] During March 2017, Chiranjeevi made a visit to the sets of the film.[51]

The final schedule of the film was expected to take place on 20 April 2017 in Hyderabad,[52] although shooting started on 4 May 2017.[53] Art director Rupin Suchak revealed to a source that 98% of the film was shot in Chennai, with the backdrop being changed to Hyderabad through computer graphics for the Telugu version. Mahesh did the film's stunts by himself without using body doubles.[54] On 16 May 2017, a source claimed that the makers planned for a climax sequence with high-octane action scenes, instead of a normal climax,[55] which was originally scheduled to be shot at the NIMS Hospital in Bibnagar, Hyderabad,[56] however, due to legal issues, the makers shifted the location to Chennai.[57]

As of May 2017, the makers had completed the talkie portions of the film, and only two songs were pending, the makers had started the post-production works.[58] The entire filming was about to be completed by 2 June 2017.[59] But, the final schedule was helmed on 13 June 2017,[60] where the talkie portions will be filmed, and it is considered to be a minor schedule, with shooting to last for only four days.[61] On July 2017, the makers filmed a song sequence in Hyderabad for ten days.[62] The last song of the film was shot abroad on 2 August, and principal shoot was wrapped following its completion.[63]

The Tamilnadu theatrical rights for the film were acquired by Lyca Productions for ₹18 crore.[88] Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution rights were secured by the production house itself, except for the Nizam rights which were acquired by Dil Raju for ₹24 crore.[89] The overseas distribution rights were sold to Atmus Entertainment for ₹15.2 crore.[90] The ceded rights were sold for ₹12 crore and Vizag rights were sold for ₹8.1 crore. The film earned ₹6 crore in the East and ₹4.5 crore in the West, ₹5.4 crore in Krishna, ₹7.2 crore in Guntur and ₹3.2 crore in Nellore, for a total of ₹70.4 crore from the Telugu states.[91] The film's Karnataka theatrical rights were sold to Goldie Films for ₹10.8 crore and North India rights were sold for ₹2.3 crore.[92] The film earned ₹124 crore from worldwide theatricals alone,[93] including satellite and audio rights,[94] the film made a business of ₹157 crore, before its release.[95]

The film's first poster was initially scheduled to release on 29 March 2017,[53] but was eventually released on 12 April 2017.[96] The poster gives us a glimpse of a buff and ripped Mahesh Babu with a gun in his hand.[97] The poster received an overwhelming response from fans.[98] The team launched an official Facebook and Twitter page and an official YouTube channel for the film's promotions. Initially, the makers wanted to release the first glimpse of the film on 31 May 2017, coinciding with actor Krishna's birthday, the father of Mahesh. But it was postponed due to the demise of veteran filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao.[99] The teaser was launched on 1 June at midnight to positive reviews from fans.[100]

On 9 August 2017,[101] the makers released the official teaser of the film coinciding with the actor's birthday.[102] The teaser crossed 8.6 million views within 48 hours of its release.[103] The official trailer of the film was released on 15 September 2017,[104] during the pre-release event held at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad.[105][106] The trailer received outstanding reviews, and it crossed 2 million views within a few hours.[107]

Before the release of the film, Mahesh Babu revealed that the robotic spider featured in the film's teaser, will not feature in the film as it has no role for it. Mahesh announced it, that he doesn't want his fans to be disappointed.[108]

The satellite rights of the film were acquired by Zee Network (for Telugu and Hindi versions) and Sun TV (for Tamil Version) for a record sum of ₹26.5 crore.[109] The film's Telugu version was premiered in Zee Telugu on 14 January 2018, coinciding with Sankranthi, and registered a TRP rating of 6.7.[110] The film's television premiere took place on 18 February 2018. The film was also dubbed in Hindi and directly premiered on Zee Cinema on 17 June 2018.[111]

M. Suganth of The Times of India rated 2 out of 5, stating that "The writing lets Spyder down entirely after a point and, unlike Thuppakki (which was also about a man trying to save and a man trying to destroy), what should have been an edge-of-the-seat cat-and-mouse game between good and evil turns into a movie that cannot decide between wanting to be a crackling thriller and an anything-goes masala movie."[112] S. Srivatsan of India Today rated 2 out of 5, and summarised it as "The core of Spyder seems to have been written for Telugu audience. Even for them, Spyder isn't a satisfying star vehicle. Or Maybe Spyder isn't what Murugadoss imagined on paper. Because, some scenes, even on paper, appear to be pompous. Consider the scene from the second half of 7am Arivu and you'll understand better."[113]

Behindwoods rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and stated that "SJ Suryah's performance and AR Murugadoss' touch makes Spyder a decent thriller."[114] Indiaglitz rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and stated "Watch SPYder for Mahesh's genuine efforts and SJ Surya’s gritty performance. If you are looking for a fitting duel between the hero and villain you might get disappointed for the film shines only on their respective characters and is let down when it comes to their duel."[115] Moviecrow gave 3 out of 5 and stated "This is AR Murugadoss signature style movie with Superhero template without the hero having super powers. This is probably the best launch Mahesh Babu could have asked for. In return, Tamil audience will embrace Mahesh Babu."[116]

International Business Times rated 3 out of 5 and stated that "Spyder stands out as an enjoyable entertainer despite its flaws."[117] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion called "this film is a pretty decent god-vs-demon tale, with a solid hero and a spectacular villain" in his review.[118] Subhash K. Jha of NDTV, gave 4 out of 5 and stated "Murugadoss takes a familiar bad-guy-good-guy plot and converts it into a compelling cat-and-mouse game shot in colours and favours that suggest life in times of impending death."[119]

Sridhar Adivi from The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5, stating "The conflict between the hero and the villain seems like a safe enough plot for a potboiler or a spy film; however, Murugadoss’ writing doesn’t manage to give you the chills or thrills the promos promised to."[120] Behindwoods rated the film 2.75 out of 5, and stated that "Beyond a point, the film gets a little too heavy with gore, and one might feel the climax could have been executed better. Apart from these minor issues, Spyder will entertain you if you are an action film lover."[121] Y. Sunita Chowdary of The Hindu stated that "Spyder starts off well but the director’s imagination goes overboard only to turn a purpose ridden plot to a piece of travesty."[122] Indiaglitz gave the film 2.75 out of 5 stating "The spy thriller takes unconvincing liberties in the second half.  A tragedy of epic proportions is sought to be reduced into a hero vs villain rivalry without a compelling narrative."[123]

In a positive note 123Telugu rated it 3.25 out of 5, and summarised that "On the whole, Spyder is a decent action thriller which has some very interesting moments."[124] Sify gave the film a rating of 2.75 out of 5 stating "Spyder has some riveting moments in the first half, the face-off between Mahesh Babu and S J Surya reeks of brilliance but it turns monotonous in the second half."[125] Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost gave the film 3.5 out of 5, stating "Spyder is also a true blue action thriller and it stays true to the genre. This isn’t a Mahesh Babu’s film alone and it doesn’t pander to our expectations from his action dramas. And to see him step into the shoes of a character which doesn’t dominate the film is also why Spyder has a very different tone from the very beginning."[126] Karthik Keramalu of Hindustan Times gave 2 out of 5 and stated "Spyder is not great but it’s definitely watchable for Mahesh Babu, Suryah and the touching humanistic angle."[127]

The film grossed ₹24 crore on the first day of its release, with a share of ₹15.6 crore in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.[128] On its opening day, the film saw more than 95% occupancy in theatres and managed to collect ₹51 crore gross on its first day at global box-office[129] and it is said to have collected ₹1.30 crore in two days in Chennai alone.[130] According to sources the film had crossed ₹73 crore, in three days and it collected ₹110–124 crore with a share of ₹72 crore within five days.[131][132] In 12 days it collected ₹150 crore gross at global box-office.[4] At the US Box office the film collected US$1.5 million in seven days, becoming the fifth film of the actor to do so.[133][134]