Baanam is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by the debutant Chaitanya Dantuluri, starring Nara Rohit and Vedhika in the lead roles. Produced by Priyanka Dutt under the banner Three Angels Studio Pvt Ltd, the film also marks Nara Rohith's debut as lead actor. Baanam was released theatrically on 16 September 2009. The film was moderate box office success but received positive reviews from critics. It was also dubbed in Hindi-language under the title Jeo Aur Jeeno Do.
Plot
The story is set in the town of Ranasthali, in year 1989. Bhagat Panigrahi is preparing to become an IPS officer. His father Chandrasekhar Panigrahi, a former Naxalite returns after 20 years before giving up his fight for the society because of his retirement. According to his ideology at a certain time every person want to retire in their works. He became the first person who retired in naxalism. He comes back home and questions his son's ambition of becoming an IPS because his wife was killed by a policeman. Bhagath convinces him with his point of logic and get the acceptance from his father. Meanwhile, a local don, Shakti Patnaik is slowly building his empire, terrorizing police and anyone who opposes him. One day, Bhagat meets Subbalaxmi, a naive married Brahmin girl at a railway station she was abandoned by her in-laws because of insufficient dowry. Unable to pay the dowry her father commits suicide unknown of her. Then with the help of Bhagath she starts a new life to become an independent women. One day her husband sends a message to her for a secret meeting then Bhagath came with her to meet him in that meeting she ends her relationship with her husband. Then on urge of taking revenge on her, her ex-husband involves Shakti's gang to abduct her, it triggers a series of events between Bhagat and Shakti. After that Bhagath proposes Subbalakshmi for marriage she eventually accepts. Meanwhile Bhagath manages to qualify in UPSC and selected for training in the middle of the route Shakti and his gang interrupts him and severely injured him. Then angered Sr.panigrahi tries to kill Shakti but the attempt was missed and caught by Shakti then he kills him brutally. After knowing the facts Bhagath decides to destroy Shakti. He meets a senior IPS officer once who inspired Bhagath to become an IPS Officer in his childhood for asking trainees to stand up for the fight against the tyranny of Shakti. Earlier he refuses and later he accepts. Then all the gang attacks the gang members of Shakti and his businesses with solid evidence. Then Shakti tries to runaway to Hyderabad. Bhagath and his gang came to arrest Shakti along with police then Bhagath catches Shakti and a fight ensues between them in the fight Bhagath kills Shakti. After that the trainees got their postings and Bhagath is ready to go for his training in the police academy. The film ends with a line "a new chapter begins".
The film got rave reviews from the critics for Chaitanya's work in dealing socially sensitive and long lasting stand that's going on between Police and Naxalism. Lead actors Nara Rohit and Vedhika were appreciated by critics. Idlebrain.com review said - Nara Rohit delivers what is needed for the character. Vedhika did the role of a traditional Brahmin girl and she is apt.
