The book of Virata) is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language period romantic action drama film[4] written and directed by Venu Udugula, and produced by Suresh Productions and SLV Cinemas.
Set in Telangana region in the 1990s amidst the Naxalite movement, the film tells the story of Vennala (Pallavi), a young woman who is in pursuit of her love with Ravi Shankar (Daggubati), a Naxal leader.
Principal photography began in July 2019 and ended in December 2020, with filming locations including Vikarabad, Warangal, and Hyderabad in Telangana, and Kerala.
She grows up listening to the poetry of her father and is later inspired by the writings of Ravi Shankar (known as Comrade Ravanna), a Naxal leader who uses the pen name Aranya.
Unable to meet him there, Vennela reaches out to Shakuntala, a human rights activist, and confesses her love for Ravi.
Vennela takes up the arms and earns the party's appreciation for her humanitarian approach to the Naxal movement.
Sometime later, Sammaiah is caught by the police who threaten to expose his fraud of using the Naxal movement for financial benefits.
Sammaiah publicly claims that the Naxal movement has lost its ideals, therefore, it is infiltrated by his coverts who would work for the police.
In June 2018, Venu Udugula stated that his second directorial venture would be a period love story set in the backdrop of the 1990s, and it would be a "commercial entertainer" focusing on politics and action, apart from being centered on romance.
[12] Following the film's release, Pallavi, Daggubati and Udugula met Sarala's family to express their condolenses.
“As my film has elements such as politics, conspiracy, love, vendetta and positivity, we felt that it would be an apt title,” Udugula added.
[17] In May 2019, Priyamani was cast as Comrade Bharathakka, a Naxalite,[18][19] and documentary filmmaker Sai Chand was also appeared for a supporting role in the very same month.
[20] Tabu was initially cast in the film, but due to schedule conflicts she was subsequently replaced by Nandita Das in August 2019.
[27][28] In November 2019, Jaya Krishna Gummadi who eventually worked on the film was replaced by Dani Sanchez-Lopez after the former opted out citing schedule conflicts.
[29] Hollywood stunt choreographer Stefan Richter was brought on board to direct the film's action sequences.
[35][36] The film's soundtrack and score is composed by Suresh Bobbili who worked with Udugula in Needi Naadi Oke Katha.
[37][38] The second single from the film,"Nagaadaarilo",written by Varam and sung by Dyavari Narendar Reddy, Sanapati Bhardwaj Patrudu, was released on 2 June 2022.
[47] Janani K of India Today rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Virata Parvam is a moving tale about two revolutionaries that hits the right note.
[48] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Virata Parvam is a middling love story that’s buoyed by Sai Pallavi’s performance".
[49] Latha Srinivasan of Firstpost rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Sai Pallavi as Vennela in Virata Parvam strikes a strong chord with the audience because of the range of emotions she essays so effortlessly on screen".
[50] A critic for Pinkvilla rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Sai Pallavi's glorious performance is the only thing that keeps the love story from seeming farcical and flimsy".