# Daaku Maharaaj

Daaku Maharaaj (transl. King of the Bandits) is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed and co-written by Bobby Kolli and produced by Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas and Srikara Studios. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, alongside Bobby Deol, Pragya Jaiswal, Shraddha Srinath, Sachin Khedekar, Makarand Deshpande, Urvashi Rautela, Aadukalam Naren, Nithin Mehta, Ravi Kishan, VTV Ganesh, Rishi, and Chandini Chowdary.
The film was officially announced in June 2023 under the tentative title NBK 109, as it is Balakrishna's 109th film as a leading actor and the official title was announced in November 2024. Principal photography commenced in November 2023. The music was composed by Thaman S, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Vijay Kartik Kannan and Ruben & Niranjan Devaramane.
Daaku Maharaaj was released worldwide on 12 January 2025, coinciding with Sankranti. The film has grossed ₹115 crores worldwide and is the third highest-grossing Telugu film of 2025 as well as the sixth highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.

## Plot

1996: Krishnamurthy, a wealthy philanthropist, lives a peaceful life with his orphaned granddaughter, Vaishnavi, in Madanapalle, Chittoor district. Krishnamurthy reports illicit wildlife trade in his leased out tea estate, administered by MLA Trimurthulu Naidu's younger brother, Manohar Naidu. Manohar absconds confinement and the estate gets seized; Trimurthulu intimidates Krishnamurthy and his family to retreat, but he refuses to budge and enlists police protection. Govind Gujjar, a dacoit pretending to be a servant of Krishnamurthy, notifies their notorious leader Sitaram alias Daaku Maharaaj, who is imprisoned at a prison in Bhopal, of the family's hardship. Maharaaj flees from prison with the aid of his henchmen and joins the family as their new driver under the alias Nanaji to protect Vaishnavi and builds a good rapport with her. Maharaaj further threatens Manohar and compels him into surrendering to the police.
Inspector Stephen Raj, a feared encounter specialist, traces Maharaaj and takes him away benevolently without exposing him to the family. Meanwhile, Trimurthulu and Manohar are revealed to have been cultivating a high-quality cocaine in the tea estate for Bablu Singh Thakur and his uncle, Balwant Singh Thakur. Bablu visits Krishnamurthy and puts him in the picture regarding the cocaine cultivation and asks him to withdraw his complaint so that he can export the yield and offers him a partnership; Krishnamurthy bluntly rejects it, prompting Bablu to launch an attack on his residence that night and simultaneously dispatch his men into the estate to harvest the crop. He also cuts Trimurthulu's throat after he questions Bablu's methods in speaking with Krishnamurthy about the lease. Though SI Janaki and Govind try to ward off the assassins from the family, the situation starts to get out of hand. Maharaaj's men hold the SP and his family at gunpoint, forcing him to free Maharaaj. Maharaaj comes to the family's rescue and resists Bablu's men in the estate and beheads Bablu, but is severely wounded and admitted into a hospital. Govind tells Krishnamurthy and his family about Maharaaj's past.
1992: Govind and the other dacoits are peasants of a water-scarce settlement called Bajrangpur in the Chambal division. Balwant Singh Thakur and his elder brothers exploit the villagers' misery and force them to work in their marble quarries under harsh conditions in exchange for weekly water supply to their villages. The villagers approach IES officers Sitaram and his wife, Kaveri, for a solution; they figure out that a dam could be built to irrigate their fields, but the Thakur brothers' illegitimate mines pose a hindrance for the project. Sitaram and Kaveri approach Nandini, the DC, to propose the construction of the dam and shut off the mines. However, Nandini is revealed to be Balwant's wife and Balwant learns about Sitaram's proposition. He offers a bribe to Sitaram, but when the latter declines, he massacres the entire village, including the children, to teach him a lesson.
An enraged Sitaram goes on a killing spree and pounces on the Thakurs' residence only to find Balwant and his eldest brother absent. Sitaram ruthlessly murders the second brother and informs Nandini about her husband's atrocities. Sitaram transforms into the villagers' revered leader, abandoning his job as an engineer, and is proclaimed as Daaku Maharaaj. With aid from across the country in the form of weapons, Maharaaj and his henchmen halt operations in the quarry. Balwant's elder brother abducts Kaveri and a few villagers to find Maharaaj's location, but Maharaaj shows up and kills him.
While Bablu and his men search for the pregnant Kaveri on a festival night at a temple, Nandini rescues her from getting caught and speaks to her about Balwant and Minister Udham Singh's secret narcotics trade in the name of marble mining and Nandini treats Sitaram as her elder brother. Nandini reveals that she was the one who got Sitaram and Kaveri transferred to Chambal, trusting that they would be of use to its suffering inhabitants. With the information given by Nandini, Maharaaj abducts Udham Singh and forces him to confess about their illicit trade. While Maharaaj is about to approach the authorities with the evidence, Balwant learns about Nandini's deceit and intimidates Maharaaj to rescue Nandini. Before Maharaaj could arrive, Balwant tortures Nandini and injures their daughter, Vaishnavi. Maharaaj arrives and fights Balwant, but the latter and Bablu flee as a mob of villagers attack their palace. With the evidence and Nandini's report, Maharaaj exposes Balwant's trade to the government, leading to the closing of mines and the proposition of a dam in the region gets its approval. However, Nandini dies from her wounds and asks Maharaaj to entrust Vaishnavi to her estranged parents.
1996: Vaishnavi is revealed to be Nandini's daughter and a devastated Krishnamurthy regrets alienating Nandini after she married Balwant against his wishes. Balwant arrives at the hospital looking for Maharaaj, killing everyone that comes in his way. As the family tries to safeguard an unconscious Maharaaj, while Stephen, a recuperating Trimurthulu, and Maharaaj's henchmen try to prevent Balwant and his men from harming him and Vaishnavi. However, Maharaaj regains consciousness, where he rescues Vaishnavi and kills Balwant. Years later, Maharaaj is released from prison and reunites with Kaveri and his son. He inaugurates the dam that has been constructed in Nandini's name.

## Cast

* Nandamuri Balakrishna as Chief Engineer Sitaram IES alias Daaku Maharaaj alias Nanaji, Kaveri's husband
* Bobby Deol as Balwant Singh Thakur, Prithviraj's and Yashwanth's younger brother
* Pragya Jaiswal as Deputy Engineer Kaveri IES, Sitaram's wife
* Shraddha Srinath as Nandini Thakur IAS, Collector of Chambal District, Balwant Singh Thakur's wife and Krishnamurthy’s second daughter
* Sachin Khedekar as Krishnamurthy, Vyshnavi’s grandfather, Nandini and Shivani’s father
* Makarand Deshpande as Govind Gujjar, Maharaaj's henchman
* Urvashi Rautela as SI Janaki
* Aadukalam Naren as Minister Inder Singh
* Nithin Mehta as Prithviraj Singh Thakur, Balwanth Singh Thakur's first elder brother
* Ravi Kishan as MLA Thrimurthulu Naidu
* VTV Ganesh as SP Panthulu
* Rishi as Bablu Singh Thakur, Balwant Singh’s nephew
* Chandini Chowdary as Shivani, Nandini's younger sister and Krishnamurthy’s youngest daughter
* Satya as Constable Babji
* Deepraj Rana as Yashwanth Singh Thakur, Balwant Singh Thakur's second elder brother
* Harsha Vardhan as Abbavaram, Krishnamurthy’s son-in-law
* Venkatarao Vuppuluri
* Lakshmi
* Neethu
* Mayuka
* Gemini Suresh
* Nanda Gopal
* Praveena as Krishnamurthy’s wife and Vyshnavi’s grandmother
* Veda Agarwal as Vyshnavi, Balwant Singh and Nandini’s daughter
* Himaja as Abbavaram’s wife and Krishnamurthy’s eldest daughter
* Jeevan Kumar as Constable Basha
* Manik Reddy
* Sandeep Raj as Manohar Naidu, Thrimurthulu's younger brother
* Sampath Ram as Gangaram, Daaku Maharaaj's henchman
* Ravi Kale as Maan Singh, Daaku Maharaaj's henchman
* Divi Vadthya as Jhansi, Daaku Maharaaj's henchwoman
* Shine Tom Chacko as Special Task Force Inspector Stephen Raj
* Vasu Inturi as Constable
* Keshav Deepak as Doctor
* Sarayu Roy as Doctor
* Sekhar as himself in the song "Dabidi Dibidi" (cameo appearance)
* Bobby Kolli as himself in the song "Dabidi Dibidi" (cameo appearance)

## Production
### Development

After the release of Chiranjeevi-starrer Waltair Veerayya (2023), its director Bobby Kolli was reported to collaborate with Rajinikanth for a potential film, which would mark his Tamil cinema debut and produced by Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations. However, Rajinikanth was not convinced with Bobby's script and chose not to sign the film. Bobby then narrated the same script to Nandamuri Balakrishna, the latter was interested in the script and agreed to be a part of the film.
Tentatively titled NBK109, as it was Balakrishna's 109th film as the lead actor, it was produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments, Srikara Studios and Fortune Four Cinemas, and was announced on Balakrishna's birthday (10 June 2023). A traditional pooja ceremony was held on the same day for the film's launch. The film's title Daaku Maharaj was announced with a teaser trailer on 15 November 2024.

### Casting

In November 2023, Bobby Deol was reported to play the film's antagonist, while his involvement was confirmed on 27 January 2024, coinciding Deol's birthday. Although it was his second Telugu film he signed after Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1, this film was the first to be released marking his Telugu cinema debut. Pragya Jaiswal was cast as the female lead. Kannada actor Rishi, who was known for acting in the television series Shaitan (2023), was also cast as the secondary antagonist.
Vishwak Sen was initially offered an important role in the film but turned down as he wanted a substantial role. Similarly, Dulquer Salmaan also refuted the reports of being a part of the cast. Though Gautham Vasudev Menon was reported to play an important role, he did not sign the film. Pragya Jaiswal, Shraddha Srinath and Chandini Chowdary were cast as the other female leads. Ravi Kishan, Shine Tom Chacko, Sachin Khedekar, VTV Ganesh, Makarand Deshpande, Sandeep Raj, Harsha Vardhan and Rao Ramesh, were cast in supporting roles.

### Filming

Principal photography began on 7 November 2023 with the film's first schedule at the Ramoji Film City and Sarathi Studios in Hyderabad. In December, a brief schedule was planned to be held in Ooty for a few weeks, but due to the uncertain weather conditions, the team wrapped the shoot much earlier than planned. The schedule went for four months and was completed by February 2024, resulting in 50 percent of the film's shooting being completed.
The second schedule began in late-April 2024, with Deol joining the film's production. The production of the second schedule was delayed due to the 2024 Indian general election in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana before its resumption in June 2024. In July 2024, Rautela suffered a major injury while filming for an action sequence, fracturing her bones. The team continued a major production schedule in Jaipur, with Balakrishna and Deol had wrapped his portions in August 2024. Filming wrapped in December 2024.

## Music

The soundtrack and background score was composed by Thaman S. The first single, titled "The Rage of Daaku", was released on 14 December 2024. The second single, titled "Chinni", was released on 23 December 2024.

## Marketing

On 8 March 2024, coinciding with Maha Shivaratri, the first glimpse of the film was launched. The second glimpse was launched on Balakrishna's birthday (10 June 2024). The film's title teaser was launched at the Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad on 15 November. The film's trailer was launched at the pre-release event held in Dallas, Texas on 4 January 2025 at 9:09 p.m. CST, while it was unveiled in India on 5 January at 8:39 a.m. IST.

## Release
### Theatrical

Daaku Maharaaj released theatrically on 12 January 2025, during the Sankranti holidays.

### Home media

The film began streaming on Netflix from 21 February 2025 in Telugu and dubbed versions of Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages. Daaku Maharaaj is stealing the show on OTT, with the Malayalam audience showering it with rave reviews!

## Reception
### Critical response

Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Daaku Maharaaj is a high-octane entertainer that thrives on Nandamuri Balakrishna’s commanding performance, stylish action sequences, and impressive technical values. While it doesn’t reinvent storytelling, it offers an engaging cinematic experience and a treat for Balakrishna’s fans." Sashidhar Adivi of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "On the whole, Daaku Maharaaj starts off promisingly with an engaging first half. But follows a routine and predictable fare. Perhaps the second half calls for better writing."
Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Basically, Daaku Maharaaj had all things in place for a gripping social drama that looks a million bucks, but it crumbles under the weight of the familiar because sound and sight can only do so much to a film that never takes flight." Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Bobby Kolli tried his best to cover up with the proceedings in the film, but it failed after a while. Daaku Maharaaj is a decent template entertainer with classic Balayya elements to keep you hooked."
Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu wrote "Bobby Kolli’s attempt to dish out a ‘different-looking’ Balakrishna film is a mixed bag. Apart from Balakrishna and Shraddha Srinath's performances, the action choreography, cinematography and the music salvages it to an extent."