Unexpectedly, one day) is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language mystery thriller film written and directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti.
Produced by Gunnam Gangaraju and Venkat Dega under the Just Yellow banner, the film stars Charmy, Jagapathi Babu, and Shashank, with music composed by M. M.
[2] The story follows Sahasra, a woman who experiences a missing day in her life and becomes involved in a dangerous situation as she attempts to uncover the truth behind it.
[4] The film begins with a group of people following a young boy returning from school, who is revealed to be ex-inspector Suresh Reddy.
During this time, she meets Rajesh, a cab driver, who tells her that she needs to return money to him, and later encounters Suresh, who reveals that he is familiar with her and her family.
It is later revealed that on the night Sahasra became intoxicated, she unknowingly stumbled upon Surya Swami’s secret asram and inadvertently disturbed his rituals.
Enraged by this disruption, Surya Swami orders his deranged disciples to kill her as punishment for interfering with their practices, as he is preparing for a suicide ritual intended to summon god to earth.
The film concludes with Suresh revealing to Sahasra that on the night of the missing day, an elderly man had found her, disoriented and dizzy in the street after a visit to the medical shop.
The idea originated from noticing how alcohol caused erratic behaviour and memory loss, prompting him to explore the more severe effects of drugs.
He observed some real-life swamis exploiting followers for financial gain or performing bizarre acts that their devotees perceived as miracles.
By combining these themes, he created the storyline of Anukokunda Oka Roju, with its climax emphasizing the sinister aspects of cult practices.
[5] For the lead role of Sahasra, Chandra Sekhar Yeleti initially approached Genelia, who liked the story but was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts.
Initially, the role was offered to Rajeev Kanakala, but during discussions for another project, Chandra Sekhar Yeleti narrated the story of Anukokunda Oka Roju to Jagapathi Babu.
To avoid typical police officer stereotypes, Yeleti reworked the character and gave him a Real juice pack instead of the usual cigarettes or alcohol.
Harsha Vardhan joined the cast after Lakshmipati, the original choice for the tuition teacher role, left due to scheduling conflicts.
[2] Chandra Sekhar Yeleti prioritised authenticity in both locations and ambiance, avoiding traditional studio sets and frequently used outdoor sites.
[7] The team opted for real locations that suited the story, with a few scenes filmed at Ramanaidu Studios as required by the narrative.
He also used handheld cameras for specific shots and incorporated direct sunlight in some scenes to align with the film’s narrative and aesthetic.
Keeravani and producer Gunnam Gangaraju wrote the lyrics for most of the songs, with "Evaraina Choosuntara" penned by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry.
He praised its original story, realistic approach, direction, performances, and music, but mentioned the slow narration and weak climax as drawbacks.
[14] In a retrospective review, Amulya Nimmagadda of Film Companion praised Anukokunda Oka Roju for its storytelling, performances, and screenplay, highlighting its blend of mystery and social commentary on blind faith.