Varudu, released in 2010, was squeezed between director Gunasekhar's two disasters - Mahesh Babu's Sainikudu and Ravi Teja's Nippu. Considering how successful Allu Arjun's movies generally have been, it was a rare flop.
The hero marries a girl of choice in a wedding ceremony that lasts five days. That was the biggest USP of Varudu. Gunasekhar stumbled across the idea after late lyricist Veturi gifted him a book. As a traditionalist who had made value-driven movies like Ramayanam, the director is a fan of the sanctity of the institution of marriage. A grand, traditional wedding was something he preferred to glorify.
After the idea was pitched and Bunny's presence was confirmed, some industry elders advised Gunasekhar to infuse an antagonist and action elements. These doomed suggestions might have come either from Allu Arjun's camp or producer DVV Danayya's coterie. Whatever it is, the action episodes lacked the kind of novelty we would expect from a big-star movie. As a result, the entire track looked forced.
In a recent interview, Gunasekhar hinted that Varudu would have been a blockbuster had it been bereft of a villain and stunts.
