Mahesh Babu Fought High Fever to Complete Murari Action Scene: Director Recalls Tense Moment
Director Krishna Vamsi reveals Mahesh Babu shot risky fight scene in Murari despite high fever for 4K re-release.
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu’s fans are in for a nostalgic treat as his beloved early film Murari returns to theatres in a restored 4K version on December 31, 2025. The 2001 supernatural romantic family drama, directed by Krishna Vamsi, features Mahesh in the titular role, alongside Sonali Bendre, Lakshmi, Sukumari, Kaikala Satyanarayana, and Gollapudi Maruthi Rao.
Ahead of the re-release, director Krishna Vamsi shared rare behind-the-scenes stories on Instagram, highlighting Mahesh Babu’s extraordinary commitment. He revealed that during the Godavari river war sequence, Mahesh caught a high fever after spending an entire day in the water. Despite this, the actor insisted on completing the risky fight scene after taking an injection, leaving the director and producer anxious for his safety.
The director also praised action choreographer Peter Hein, who made his debut as an action director with Murari. Vamsi recalled Hein’s journey from working as an assistant to renowned stunt master Kanal Kannan to becoming one of India’s most sought-after action directors. Hein’s bold and innovative fight choreography contributed significantly to the film’s memorable action sequences.
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Murari tells the story of a carefree zamindar heir cursed by Goddess Durga, where every 48 years, a male family member dies prematurely. The film explores themes of faith, fate, and resilience, with Mahesh Babu portraying the titular character who battles the family curse with courage and devotion.
The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release on February 17, 2001, earning positive reviews and three Nandi Awards, including Second Best Feature Film. It was later remade in Kannada as Gopi (2006) and in Bangladesh as Dhumketu (2016), while also being dubbed into Hindi as Rowdy Cheetah.
Earlier, Murari was re-released on Mahesh Babu’s 49th birthday in August 2024, where it earned an additional Rs 8.90 crore. With the upcoming 4K restoration, audiences are set to relive the magic of one of Telugu cinema’s most cherished films, witnessing Mahesh Babu’s dedication and iconic performances on the big screen once again.
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