Arjun Reddy

{{Long plot|reason=Per WP:FILMPLOT, the plot summary should be between 400 and 700 words|date=March 2025}}

Arjun Reddy Deshmukh, a practising house surgeon at St. Mary's Medical College in Mangalore, deals with severe anger management problems and impulsiveness despite being an academically exemplary student, earning him a reputation in the college. After an inter-college football match gone wrong when Arjun quarrels with the opponent team, the dean asks him to either apologize or leave the college. Arjun chooses to leave but stays back after meeting with first year student Preethi Shetty, a Tulu-speaking freshman, whom he falls in love with.

Arjun and his friend Shiva enter a junior classroom amidst a class and the former intimidates them against going after Preethi, asserting that she belongs to him. Initially uneasy about his conduct, Preethi finds comfort in a relationship with Arjun and reciprocates his feelings, prompting an intimate relationship. In the meanwhile, Arjun beats up Amit, a member of the opponent football team he fought with, as he misbehaves with Preethi for vengeance and threatens him to guard her as a brother in his absence. Arjun graduates with an MBBS degree and leaves for Mussoorie in pursuit of a Master's degree in Orthopedic surgery. Years pass by and their bond strengthens.

While Arjun's family rejoices over his brother Gautham's forthcoming wedding, Arjun visits Preethi's home to talk to her parents but Devdas Shetty, her father, sees them in an intimiate moment and throws him out of the house, declaring his strong disapproval of their relationship owing to his brash behaviour and mainly because they belong to different castes. Arjun's grandmother explains to an aggressive Arjun that marriage is a thing between two families and persuades him to convince Preethi's father, sharing her own experiences and troubles convincing her family about her relationship with his grandfather. Arjun tries talking to Devdas but is insulted again. Enraged, he asks Preethi to decide what she wants within six hours; otherwise, he will end their relationship. After this conflict, Preethi's parents seize her phone and arrange her marriage with a guy who belongs to their caste. Nevertheless, she manages to go to his house but unbenknownst to her, he is heavily drunk and injects excessive morphine into himself in agony, thereby losing his consciousness for about 36 hours. Preethi is taken away and forcibly married to her fiance and Gautham gets married, all of which Arjun learns from Shiva after regaining his senes. Devastated, he rushes to Preethi's house and creates a scene but is beaten and apprehended by the police. Humiliated by Arjun's demeanour, his father Dhanunjay Reddy throw him out him from the household.

Shiva helps Arjun rent a flat and join a corporate hospital as a surgeon. To deal with his trauma, Arjun begins to drink, smoke, take drugs and attempt one-night stands, all of which fail to cure his distress. He soon becomes a successful surgeon with an abnormally high surgery count and his colleagues are apprehensive of his short-temper. His addictions and refusal to move on from Preethi worries Shiva and another friend Kamal. Jia Sharma, an acclaimed film actress, consults Arjun for treatment but takes a liking to him. Arjun proposes to be in a no-strings-attached physical relationship and she agrees. However, he soon ends it when she falls in love with him.

Despite being on a leave, Arjun reluctantly agrees to perform a life-saving surgery but because of being intoxicated, he collapses from dehydration amidst the surgery. The hospital authorities collect his blood samples and discover traces of cocaine and alcohol. A case is filed against him; Gautham recruits an intelligent advocate Vipul and arranges for an in-house court hearing but Arjun, out of guilt, confesses to have violated his ethics, causing his mecial license to be suspended for five years and he is evicted from the flat. While resting on a footpath, Shiva comes for him and told him about his grandmother's death, taking him home. Arjun reconciles with his father after his grandmother's funeral, abandons his self-destructive habits and goes on a vacation, heeding to his father's advice.

Enroute to the airport, he spots a pregnant Preethi in a park but proceeds with his vacation. Convinced that she is unhappy with her marriage, he meets her again at the same park after his vacation. After the misunderstandings clear, Preethi tells Arjun that she left her husband three days after the marriage and hasn't even contacted her family since then; she tells him that the child is his. They share an emotional reunion and get married, with the consent of Arjun' family. Devdas visits them soom and apologizes for being insensitive to their pure relationship.

{{cast listing|

• Vijay Deverakonda as Dr. Arjun Reddy Deshmukh, an alcoholic surgeon
• Shalini Pandey as Dr. Preethi Shetty, Arjun's love interest
• Jia Sharma as Jia Sharma, an actress who consults Dr. Arjun and later falls in love with him
• Kanchana as Arjun's grandmother
• Sanjay Swaroop as Dhanunjay Reddy Deshmukh, Arjun's father
• Kamal Kamaraju as Gautham Reddy Deshmukh, Arjun's brother
• Bhushan Kalyan as Dean of St. Mary's college
• Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Vipul
• Rahul Ramakrishna as Shiva, Arjun's best friend
• Kalyan Subrahmanyam as Kamal, Arjun's friend
• Aditi Myakal as Vidya, Arjun's friend
• Anisha Alla as Keerthi, Arjun's friend
• Sandhya Janak as Arjun's mother
• Gopinath Bhat as Devdas Shetty, Preethi's father
• RJ Hemant as Shiva's future brother-in-law
• Amit Sharma as Amit, Arjun’s nemesis
• Sravya Mrudula as Shruthi, Preethi's friend

}}

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| quote = Love stories are generally plot-driven, here it is driven by the character Arjun Reddy. It is a powerful name. During college years, you get to hear seniors talk about a legendary character and that name has a recall value. These days our Telugu film titles are lengthy and are from lyrics. I didn't want that. Arjun Reddy was thought to be a faction film. I am juxtaposing that connotation with a love story.

| source = —Vanga on the film's title, in an interview with The Hindu in September 2016.{{Cite news |last=Sunita Chowdary |first=Y. |date=27 September 2016 |title=Breakups and after |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Breakups-and-after/article15002342.ece |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402060130/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Breakups-and-after/article15002342.ece |archive-date=2 April 2018}}

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After discontinuing his studies as a physiotherapist, Sandeep Vanga worked in the 2010 Telugu film Kedi as an assistant director.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2017 |title=Interview with Sandeep Reddy Vanga about Arjun Reddy |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/sandeepreddyvanga.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402053952/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/sandeepreddyvanga.html |archive-date=2 April 2018 |access-date=2 April 2018 |website=Idlebrain.com}} He worked on the script of Arjun Reddy for two years and for four to five years approached producers who were not willing to finance the project until Vanga's brother Pranay Reddy agreed to do so. Pranay and Vanga's father invested in the film equally. The project was made under the production banner of Bhadrakali Pictures.{{Cite news |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=15 May 2016 |title=Vijay as Arjun Reddy |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/150516/vijay-as-arjun-reddy.html |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402060438/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/150516/vijay-as-arjun-reddy.html |archive-date=2 April 2018}}

Arjun Reddy was partially inspired from Vanga's life as a physiotherapy student: "It is not my story but there are a lot of references from my life [...] Some of my medical college friends saw the film and said that Arjun reminds them of me." After working on a scene, he used to wait for a week as he believed that for a film with twists and turns, the narrative would have a chance to jump, thereby giving scope for cinematic liberties. For the same, whenever the idea for a plot twist came to him, Vanga used to work on it for three to four weeks.

In a September 2017 interview with Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu, Vanga said he believed that Telugu cinema uses dialects spoken in Guntur and Vijayawada. Since he was unaware of the way of speaking in both the places, he wrote the dialogue in a Hyderabad Telangana accent. He made use of words that were rarely spoken in colloquial Telugu like yaralu (sister-in-law) to make Arjun look "real and rooted".{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=30 August 2017 |title=Fearless in front of the camera |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/on-a-high-with-arjun-reddy-vijay-deverakonda-discusses-what-makes-him-an-uninhibited-actor/article19586423.ece |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403132650/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/on-a-high-with-arjun-reddy-vijay-deverakonda-discusses-what-makes-him-an-uninhibited-actor/article19586423.ece |archive-date=3 April 2018}} Some of the dialogue was written in Tulu.{{Cite news |date=14 June 2016 |title=This Telugu film will have dialogues in Tulu |work=The Hans India |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Tollywood/2016-06-14/This-Telugu-film-will-have-dialogues-in-Tulu/235060 |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403141028/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Tollywood/2016-06-14/This-Telugu-film-will-have-dialogues-in-Tulu/235060 |archive-date=3 April 2018}} With a dark mood prevailing for 100 minutes, Vanga wanted a happy ending for the film, with two or three options for the climax. He said he "didn't have the heart" to end the narrative on a sad note, considering the darkness Arjun was subjected to. The initial edit was 220 minutes long; this was reduced to 186 minutes.

Vanga initially approached Sharwanand to play the film's lead role.{{Cite news |last=Nyayapati |first=Neeshita |date=19 August 2017 |title=Vijay Devarakonda was not the first choice for 'Arjun Reddy', Sharwanand was |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know/vijay-devarakonda-was-not-the-first-choice-for-arjun-reddy-sharwanand-was/articleshow/60132022.cms |url-status=live |access-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200201031144/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know/vijay-devarakonda-was-not-the-first-choice-for-arjun-reddy-sharwanand-was/articleshow/60132022.cms |archive-date=1 February 2020}} Sharwanand was at first apprehensive of Vanga handling the responsibilities of directing and producing the project but after reading the script, he changed his mind. He sent the script to many producers, who considered the project too risky to fund.{{Cite news |last=Tanmayi |first=Bhawana |date=1 October 2017 |title=When Mahanubhavudu talks about obsessions |work=Telangana Today |url=https://telanganatoday.com/when-mahanubhavudu-talks-about-obsessions |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402075541/https://telanganatoday.com/when-mahanubhavudu-talks-about-obsessions |archive-date=2 April 2018}} After Sharwanand left the project, Vanga signed Vijay Deverakonda to play Arjun Reddy. Deverakonda's breakthrough film Pelli Choopulu (2016) had not yet been released, and many were against Vanga for casting him, citing it a risky move for a home production.{{Cite news |last=Jonnalagedda |first=Pranita |date=17 August 2017 |title=Director Sandeep Vanga to watch out for! |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/170817/a-director-to-watch-out-for.html |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402075809/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/170817/a-director-to-watch-out-for.html |archive-date=2 April 2018}} In an interview with Indo-Asian News Service, Devarakonda called the portrayal of Arjun Reddy exhausting, noting that, "I had to be constantly probing into the darkest areas of my consciousness, digging out feelings and tapping into emotions I had never touched in myself".{{Cite news |last=K Jha |first=Subhash |author-link=Subhash K Jha |date=19 December 2017 |title='Arjun Reddy' exhausted the hell out of me: Vijay Deverakonda interview |work=The News Minute |agency=Indo Asian News Service |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-exhausted-hell-out-me-vijay-deverakonda-interview-73376 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155104/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-exhausted-hell-out-me-vijay-deverakonda-interview-73376 |url-status=live }} He did not have any cinematic references but watched films like The Godfather (1972), Scarface (1983) and Goodfellas (1990) to remain in an alpha male zone.

Arjun and Preethi had an age difference of four years, which Vanga wanted to showcase effectively. He chose Shalini Pandey to play Preethi; she was pursuing a career in theatre in Jabalpur. Pandey's father was apprehensive of her signing a film contract; the shoot delayed by five months. Pandey was firm in her decision, which strained her relationship with her father.{{Cite news |last=Murali Krishna |first=CH |date=30 August 2017 |title=I'm open to a live-in relationship: Arjun Reddy star Shalini Pandey |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2017/aug/30/im-open-to-a-live-in-relationship-arjun-reddy-star-shalini-pandey-1649895.html |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402140032/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2017/aug/30/im-open-to-a-live-in-relationship-arjun-reddy-star-shalini-pandey-1649895.html |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Vanga wanted her to dub for her role, to which she agreed because it would help her own the character completely.{{Cite news |last=Jonnalagedda |first=Pranita |date=12 August 2017 |title=Shalini Pandey: Driven by passion |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120817/driven-by-passion.html |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402140709/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120817/driven-by-passion.html |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Vanga conducted an eight-day acting workshop with Deverakonda and Pandey. Kanchana was cast as Arjun's grandmother in November 2016; Arjun Reddy marked her comeback to Telugu cinema after Shri Datta Darshanam (1985). The producers persuaded her to join the project after a series of long discussions.{{Cite news |date=29 November 2016 |title=Veteran actor Kanchana set for comeback in Vijay Deverakonda's Arjun Reddy |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Indo Asian News Service |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/veteran-actor-kanchana-set-for-comeback-in-vijay-deverakonda-s-arjun-reddy/story-6QRm7Oxe6VBnB359AYJvAO.html |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403135158/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/veteran-actor-kanchana-set-for-comeback-in-vijay-deverakonda-s-arjun-reddy/story-6QRm7Oxe6VBnB359AYJvAO.html |archive-date=3 April 2018}}

Rahul Ramakrishna, who worked as a lyricist for Pelli Choopulu, was cast as Arjun's friend Shiva. Ramakrishna's career as a journalist helped him understand several dialects, which in turn had a positive effect on his performance.{{Cite news |last=Ranjith |first=Gabbeta |date=22 September 2017 |title=My role as Shiva in Arjun Reddy is the usual me: Rahul Ramakrishna |work=Telangana Today |url=http://telanganatoday.com/shiva-arjun-reddy-rahul-ramakrishna-rocked-role |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402145020/http://telanganatoday.com/shiva-arjun-reddy-rahul-ramakrishna-rocked-role |archive-date=2 April 2018}} He called Shiva's friendship with Arjun "loyal and unconditional", which gives them the liberty to deride each other at times.{{Cite news |last=Sunita Chowdary |first=Y |date=29 August 2017 |title=Redefining friendship |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rahul-ramakrishna-redefines-on-screen-friendship-in-arjun-reddy/article19581112.ece |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402144744/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rahul-ramakrishna-redefines-on-screen-friendship-in-arjun-reddy/article19581112.ece |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Amit Sharma was chosen after a three-hour audition; Vanga felt he "had the apt attitude and arrogance" for the role of Amit, Arjun's nemesis.{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Shweta |date=12 September 2017 |title=I asked Vijay to really punch me: Amit Sharma |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120917/i-asked-vijay-to-really-punch-me-amit-sharma.html |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403140531/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120917/i-asked-vijay-to-really-punch-me-amit-sharma.html |archive-date=3 April 2018}} Bhushan Kalyan played the role of the college's dean.{{Cite news |last=Sunita Chowdary |first=Y |date=28 March 2017 |title=Bhushan Kalyan: In a creative space |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhushan-kalyan-in-a-creative-space/article17699515.ece |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403140713/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhushan-kalyan-in-a-creative-space/article17699515.ece |archive-date=3 April 2018}} Tulu actor Gopinath Bhat was cast as Preethi's father. Sanjay Swaroop, Kamal Kamaraju, Jia Sharma and Priyadarshi Pulikonda were cast in other important roles.{{Cite news |date=13 September 2017 |title='Arjun Reddy' Kannada remake to star Yash? |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-kannada-remake-star-yash-68352 |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155131/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-kannada-remake-star-yash-68352 |url-status=live }}

Nagesh Banell was initially the film's director of photography.{{Cite web |date=12 May 2016 |title=First Look: Vijay Devarakonda as Arjun Reddy |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/first-look-vijay-devarakonda-as-arjun-reddy-news-telugu-qfmtTBdbjfdjj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404101247/http://www.sify.com/movies/first-look-vijay-devarakonda-as-arjun-reddy-news-telugu-qfmtTBdbjfdjj.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |access-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead |website=Sify}} He was replaced by Raj Thota later, who worked for 85% of the film. Deverakonda recommended him; he did the clash work for Pelli Choopulu whose cinematography was handled by Banell.{{efn|Clash work is a practice of hiring a junior cinematographer when a film's director of photography handles other commitments simultaneously and is unavailable for the principal photography.{{Cite news |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=6 September 2017 |title=Tollywood's got a new cameraman |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/060917/tollywoods-got-a-new-cameraman.html |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404101814/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/060917/tollywoods-got-a-new-cameraman.html |archive-date=4 April 2018}}}}{{Cite news |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivatsan |date=12 October 2016 |title=An eye on the lens: Nagesh Banell |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/An-eye-on-the-lens-Nagesh-Banell/article15894303.ece |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404102008/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/An-eye-on-the-lens-Nagesh-Banell/article15894303.ece |archive-date=4 April 2018}} Vanga worked on the film's sound design and worked with Sachin Hariharan of Sync Cinema. Harshavardhan Rameshwar composed the background score.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Hemanth |date=3 September 2017 |title=Vijay Deverakonda: Arjun Reddy gave me the confidence to speak my mind |work=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vijay-deverakonda-arjun-reddy-gave-me-the-confidence-to-speak-my-mind-4000703.html |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402082948/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vijay-deverakonda-arjun-reddy-gave-me-the-confidence-to-speak-my-mind-4000703.html |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Shashank Mali edited the film.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2018 |title='Arjun Reddy' TV premiere leaves fans disappointed |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-tv-premiere-leaves-fans-disappointed-75853 |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404102756/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-tv-premiere-leaves-fans-disappointed-75853 |archive-date=4 April 2018}}

Principal photography commenced in Hyderabad on 20 June 2016.{{Cite news |date=14 June 2016 |title=Vijay Deverakonda turns surgeon |work=The Hindu |agency=Indo Asian News Service |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/vijay-deverakonda-turns-surgeon/article14420628.ece1 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402051312/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/vijay-deverakonda-turns-surgeon/article14420628.ece1 |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Kanchana joined the film's sets on 30 November 2016. The protagonists' college life portions were filmed at the three heritage buildings of the University college of Hampankatta, Mangalore.{{Cite news |last=Kampila |first=Raviprasad |date=4 November 2017 |title=Mangaluru's heritage buildings now a destination for moviemakers |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/mangalurus-heritage-buildings-now-a-destination-for-moviemakers/article19984188.ece |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402052328/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/mangalurus-heritage-buildings-now-a-destination-for-moviemakers/article19984188.ece |archive-date=2 April 2018}} Other filming locations included Dehradun and Delhi in India and parts of Italy. According to Deverakonda, Vanga wanted to set the film in a coastal city and chose Mangalore—mirroring his student life in Dharwad—and stayed there for ten days to finalise the locations.{{Cite news |last=Madhu |first=Daithota |date=15 September 2017 |title=I lied that I was a Tuluva in college to escape from being made fun of for not speaking fluent Telugu |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-lied-that-i-was-a-tuluva-in-college-to-escape-from-being-made-fun-of-for-not-speaking-fluent-telugu/articleshow/60512701.cms |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180403134609/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-lied-that-i-was-a-tuluva-in-college-to-escape-from-being-made-fun-of-for-not-speaking-fluent-telugu/articleshow/60512701.cms |archive-date=3 April 2018}} In an interview with Idlebrain.com, Vanga said, "When you write a script, you think about a particular location. But, it scared me when we got worst of locations for some of the scenes. But it didn't matter because our attention would be on characters. I realised that when content is clear, locations doesn't matter most of the times."

The principal photography was completed in 86 working days, and was made on a budget of {{Indian Rupee}}5–5.15 crore.{{efn|Jayakrishnan of The Times of India estimates the film's budget as {{Indian Rupee}}5 crore,{{Cite news |last=Jayakrishnan |date=10 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy box office collection week 2: Vijay Devarakonda starrer collects Rs 41.5 crore worldwide |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/box-office/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-week-2-vijay-devarakonda-starrer-collects-rs-41-5-crore-worldwide/articleshow/60449785.cms |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180402084629/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/box-office/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-week-2-vijay-devarakonda-starrer-collects-rs-41-5-crore-worldwide/articleshow/60449785.cms |archive-date=2 April 2018}} whereas Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu says that {{Indian Rupee}}5.15 crore was spent to produce the film.{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=9 September 2017 |title=Three hours and a huge hit later |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/three-hours-and-a-huge-hit-later/article19643308.ece |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402084431/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/three-hours-and-a-huge-hit-later/article19643308.ece |archive-date=2 April 2018}}|name="budget"}} Vanga preferred long, uninterrupted takes; the pre-Intermission sequence was seven minutes long. According to Deverakonda, if filmed in conventional style, Vanga would have finished the film in 200 working days. For a few scenes, Thota used a hand-held camera weighing {{convert|25|kg}}, which adversely affected his hands. The classroom fight scene featuring Deverakonda, Pandey and Sharma was filmed in a single take; Sharma wanted Deverakonda to actually hit him to make the scene look natural. He said their experience in theatre helped their performances. The crew wanted to film the intermission scene, in which Arjun urinates in his pants, authentically but a delay in the shoot led to the insertion of a medical hosepipe in Deverakonda's trousers.{{Cite news |last=K Jha |first=Subhash |date=31 August 2017 |title=A lot of grey areas in my personality: Vijay Deverakonda |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/310817/a-lot-of-grey-areas-in-my-personality-vijay-deverakonda.html |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405094541/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/310817/a-lot-of-grey-areas-in-my-personality-vijay-deverakonda.html |archive-date=5 April 2018}}

{{Main|Arjun Reddy (soundtrack)}}

Radhan composed the film's six-song soundtrack, with lyrics written by Ananta Sriram, Rambabu Gosala, Shreshta and Mandela Pedaswamy.{{Cite web |title=Arjun Reddy |url=https://www.raaga.com/telugu/popular/movies/Arjun-Reddy-A0003707 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140206/https://www.raaga.com/telugu/popular/movies/Arjun-Reddy-A0003707 |archive-date=31 January 2018 |access-date=31 January 2018 |work=Raaga.com}} Harshavardhan Rameshwar, who would later collaborate with Vanga in all of his films, composed the background score.{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=B. V. S. |date=1 November 2024 |title=Sandeep Reddy Vanga to extract more chartbusters |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sandeep-reddy-vanga-to-extract-more-chartbusters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210183338/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sandeep-reddy-vanga-to-extract-more-chartbusters |archive-date=10 December 2024 |access-date=10 December 2024 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}} The soundtrack was preceded by four singles—"Mangaluru – Mussorie" (later known as "Dhooram"), "The Breakup Song" (later known as "Teliseney Na Nuvvey"), "Emitemito" and "Madhurame"—released on 23 April 19 June 10 and 31 July 2017, respectively.{{Cite web|date=23 April 2017|title=Mangaluru – Mussoorie (From "Arjun Reddy") – Single|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/mangaluru-mussoorie-from-arjun-reddy-single/1232136479|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180202160320/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/mangaluru-mussoorie-from-arjun-reddy-single/1232136479|archive-date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|work=iTunes}}{{Cite web|date=19 June 2017|title=The Breakup Song (From "Arjun Reddy") – Single|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/the-breakup-song-from-arjun-reddy-single/1240797050|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180202160118/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/the-breakup-song-from-arjun-reddy-single/1240797050|archive-date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|work=iTunes}}{{Cite web|date=10 July 2017|title=Emitemitemito (From "Arjun Reddy") – Single|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/emitemitemito-from-arjun-reddy-single/1246719845|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180202160250/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/emitemitemito-from-arjun-reddy-single/1246719845|archive-date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|work=iTunes}}{{Cite web|date=31 July 2017|title=Madhuram (From "Arjun Reddy") – Single|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/madhuram-from-arjun-reddy-single/1251975710|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180202160324/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/madhuram-from-arjun-reddy-single/1251975710|archive-date=2 February 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|work=iTunes}} The soundtrack was released by Aditya Music on 21 August 2017.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-XM4N0YJo|title=Arjun Reddy Pre Release Event|date=21 August 2017|medium=Event|publisher=Aditya Music|place=India|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026034605/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-XM4N0YJo|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=live}}

Arjun Reddy was given an 'A' (adult) certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification due to the abundance of expletives and innuendoes.{{Cite news |date=12 August 2017 |title=Shocking duration for Arjun Reddy |work=The Hans India |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Tollywood/2017-08-12/Shocking-duration-for-Arjun-Reddy/318534 |url-status=live |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402210142/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Tollywood/2017-08-12/Shocking-duration-for-Arjun-Reddy/318534 |archive-date=2 April 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Jayakrishnan |date=18 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy gets A certificate |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-gets-a-certificate/articleshow/60122060.cms |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180408145516/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-gets-a-certificate/articleshow/60122060.cms |archive-date=8 April 2018}} Vanga complained that the board took his creative struggle for granted. He considered writing a letter to the board asking what was taken into consideration before certification.{{Cite news |last=Murali Krishna |first=CH |date=24 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy being compared to Baahubali 2 |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2017/aug/24/arjun-reddy-being-compared-to-baahubali-2-1647363.html |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408145511/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2017/aug/24/arjun-reddy-being-compared-to-baahubali-2-1647363.html |archive-date=8 April 2018}} The board complained that the producers of the film had not submitted their promotional material for censoring before using it. Asian Cinemas and KFC Entertainments acquired the film's distribution rights for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite news |last=Tanmayi |first=Bhawana |date=26 July 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy gears up for release |work=Telangana Today |url=https://telanganatoday.com/arjun-reddy-gears-release |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408150145/https://telanganatoday.com/arjun-reddy-gears-release |archive-date=8 April 2018}} Nirvana Cinemas distributed the film in overseas markets.{{Cite news |date=3 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy Box Office Collection: Vijay Devarakonda's film makes a strong show at international market |work=Business Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/lifestyle/off-track/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-vijay-devarakondas-film-makes-a-strong-show-at-international-market/story/259370.html |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408150248/https://www.businesstoday.in/lifestyle/off-track/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-vijay-devarakondas-film-makes-a-strong-show-at-international-market/story/259370.html |archive-date=8 April 2018}} The teaser of the film was released on 27 February 2017,{{Cite news |date=26 February 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy's teaser is intense! |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddys-teaser-is-intense/articleshow/57141679.cms |url-status=live |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827165834/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddys-teaser-is-intense/articleshow/57141679.cms |archive-date=27 August 2017}} and the trailer was released on 12 August 2017.{{Cite news |title=Arjun Reddy's trailer to be released on Saturday evening |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddys-trailer-to-be-released-on-saturday-evening/articleshow/59918323.cms |url-status=live |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808091141/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddys-trailer-to-be-released-on-saturday-evening/articleshow/59918323.cms |archive-date=8 August 2017}}

Days before the film's release, Indian National Congress party's Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao tore promotional posters featuring the lead pair kissing each other that had been pasted on TSRTC buses. He found them objectionable and said they adversely affected the minds of young people.{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Papri |date=21 August 2017 |title=Hanumanth Rao tears down 'Arjun Reddy' poster while Vijay Deverakonda asks him to chill |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/hanumanth-rao-tears-down-arjun-reddy-poster-while-vijay-deverakonda-asks-him-to-chill/articleshow/60158047.cms |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180408151846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/hanumanth-rao-tears-down-arjun-reddy-poster-while-vijay-deverakonda-asks-him-to-chill/articleshow/60158047.cms |archive-date=8 April 2018}} It led the film's promoters to remove such posters across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=23 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy kissing poster removed: Makers offer apology for using controversial photo |work=International Business Times |location=India |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-kissing-poster-removed-makers-offer-apology-using-controversial-photo-739478 |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408152128/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-kissing-poster-removed-makers-offer-apology-using-controversial-photo-739478 |archive-date=8 April 2018}}

Arjun Reddy was released worldwide on 25 August 2017, notably clashing with Indian films Vivegam and A Gentleman.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2017 |title=Vivegam, Arjun Reddy rule Friday box office collections; A Gentleman has Rs 4 crore opening |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivegam-arjun-reddy-rule-friday-box-office-collections-a-gentleman-has-rs-4-crore-opening-3976227.html |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408150900/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivegam-arjun-reddy-rule-friday-box-office-collections-a-gentleman-has-rs-4-crore-opening-3976227.html |archive-date=8 April 2018}} In Hyderabad, 55 paid premieres were held a day before the release, surpassing the record set by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which had 33 premiere shows. The film's digital rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video, which made it available online on the 50th day of theatrical release.{{Cite news |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivatsan |date=26 December 2017 |title=Telugu films in 2017: The prime debate |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/telugu-films-in-2017-the-prime-debate/article22281359.ece |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409105740/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/telugu-films-in-2017-the-prime-debate/article22281359.ece |archive-date=9 April 2018}} Star Maa purchased the satellite rights for {{Indian Rupee}}3.5 crore. The film had its global television premiere on 21 January 2018, with a TRP rating of 13.6.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=1 February 2018 |title=Arjun Reddy registers superb TRPs: Vijay's movie shatters the record of Mahesh Babu's Spyder |work=International Business Times India |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-registers-superb-trps-vijays-movie-shatters-record-mahesh-babus-spyder-759073 |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110040/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-registers-superb-trps-vijays-movie-shatters-record-mahesh-babus-spyder-759073 |archive-date=9 April 2018}} The film was substantially edited for in its television premiere, drawing criticism from its audience.{{Cite news |last=Tanmayi |first=Bhawana |date=22 January 2018 |title=Maa TV makes Arjun Reddy appear like a saint |work=Telangana Today |url=https://telanganatoday.com/maa-tv-makes-arjun-reddy-appear-like-a-saint |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110209/https://telanganatoday.com/maa-tv-makes-arjun-reddy-appear-like-a-saint |archive-date=9 April 2018}}

In 2024, Vanga hinted at a possible release of the film's full version on its 10th anniversary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/vijay-deverakonda-gives-an-ultimatum-to-sandeep-reddy-vanga-about-the-full-cut-of-arjun-reddy-101724598881212.html|title=Vijay Deverakonda gives an ultimatum to Sandeep Reddy Vanga about the 'full cut' of Arjun Reddy|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 August 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901050002/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/vijay-deverakonda-gives-an-ultimatum-to-sandeep-reddy-vanga-about-the-full-cut-of-arjun-reddy-101724598881212.html|url-status=live}}

Arjun Reddy opened to a 100% occupancy in some areas of India, including districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=25 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy box office collection day 1: Vijay's film creates history in US, starts with a bang in India |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-day-1-vijays-film-creates-history-us-starts-bang-india-739695 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206154017/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-box-office-collection-day-1-vijays-film-creates-history-us-starts-bang-india-739695 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} At the United States box office, the film debuted with earnings of US$194,051 from its premieres and of US$709,347 in two days.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=27 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy vs Vivegam US box office collection: Vijay's film beats Ajith's movie with a big margin |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-vs-vivegam-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-ajiths-movie-big-margin-739898 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206154443/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-vs-vivegam-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-ajiths-movie-big-margin-739898 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} By the end of its first weekend, it grossed US$954,677 in the US,{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=29 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy US box office collection: Vijay's film beats Vivegam, A Gentleman in first weekend |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-vivegam-gentleman-first-weekend-740092 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206155256/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-vivegam-gentleman-first-weekend-740092 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} and A$111,521 in Australia. Arjun Reddy grossed {{Indian Rupee}}19 crore globally, with a distributor share of {{Indian Rupee}}10.42 crore in its first weekend. The film was declared commercially successful as it earned a profit of 73.66% for its distributors.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=28 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy 1st weekend box office collection: Vijay's film attains blockbuster status in just 3 days |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-1st-weekend-box-office-collection-vijays-film-attains-blockbuster-status-just-3-days-740042 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206154552/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-1st-weekend-box-office-collection-vijays-film-attains-blockbuster-status-just-3-days-740042 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} Arjun Reddy{{'s}} earnings exceeded US$1 million on its fourth day of theatrical release in the US, becoming the 32nd Indian Telugu-language film to do so.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=30 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy day 5 box office collection: Vijay scores his 2nd $1 million grosser in US after Pelli Choopulu |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-day-5-box-office-collection-vijay-scores-his-2nd-1-million-grosser-us-after-pelli-740242 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206155627/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-day-5-box-office-collection-vijay-scores-his-2nd-1-million-grosser-us-after-pelli-740242 |archive-date=6 February 2018}}

By the end of its first week, the film grossed {{Indian Rupee}}34.3 crore and a distributor share of {{Indian Rupee}}18.5 crore, providing a return of nearly 200% to its distributors.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=1 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy 7-day box office collection: Vijay's movie crosses Rs 30 crore mark in first week |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-7-day-box-office-collection-vijays-movie-crosses-rs-30-crore-mark-first-week-740538 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206155901/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-7-day-box-office-collection-vijays-movie-crosses-rs-30-crore-mark-first-week-740538 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} After earning US$1,681,996 in 17 days in the US, Arjun Reddy became the fourth highest grossing Telugu film of the year in that country.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=11 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy US box office collection: Vijay's film beats Gautamiputra Satakarni to be 4th highest Telugu grosser |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-gautamiputra-satakarni-be-4th-highest-741699 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206160509/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-gautamiputra-satakarni-be-4th-highest-741699 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} By then, it had grossed a worldwide total of {{Indian Rupee}}45 crore and a distributor share of {{Indian Rupee}}25 crore.{{Cite news |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=12 September 2017 |title=Box office collection: Arjun Reddy emerges big winner; Paisa Vasool, Yuddham Sharanam, MMA flop |work=International Business Times India |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arjun-reddy-us-box-office-collection-vijays-film-beats-gautamiputra-satakarni-be-4th-highest-741699 |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206160801/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-arjun-reddy-emerges-big-winner-paisa-vasool-yuddham-sharanam-mma-flop-741738 |archive-date=6 February 2018}} In its complete global theatrical run, Arjun Reddy grossed a total of {{Indian Rupee}}51 crore and earned a distributor share of {{Indian Rupee}}26 crore.

Arjun Reddy received highly positive reviews from critics.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy: Women organisations protest against Vijay Deverakonda-starrer; demand ban |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-women-organisations-protest-against-vijay-deverakonda-starrer-demand-ban-4001265.html |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416121645/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-women-organisations-protest-against-vijay-deverakonda-starrer-demand-ban-4001265.html |archive-date=16 April 2018}} Writing for Film Companion, Baradwaj Rangan said that while the pre-interval sequences were generic, the "prickly" latter portions justified both the film's title and the running time. Rangan called Arjun Reddy a film that "digs deep [and] rings true" and said it "really comes into its own" in the second half.{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=1 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy Movie Review |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/arjun-reddy-movie-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128003203/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/arjun-reddy-movie-review |archive-date=28 January 2023 |access-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=live |website=Film Companion}} S. Shiva Kumar of The Hindu wrote that Vanga's storytelling had a "conviction and confidence probably only a debutante will have". He found the performances, especially those of Deverakonda and Kanchana, "pitch perfect".{{Cite news |last=Shiva Kumar |first=S |date=31 August 2017 |title=It is a 'different' film |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/it-is-a-different-film/article19592951.ece |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405095639/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/it-is-a-different-film/article19592951.ece |archive-date=5 April 2018}} Sangeetha Devi Dundoo said the film is "too raw and real to be absolutely fictional" and commented: "Hours after watching Arjun Reddy, it’s hard to shake off its effect. It’s like a hangover, albeit in a good way."{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=26 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: A landmark film |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sandeep-reddy-vanga-gives-a-new-dimension-to-telugu-cinema-helped-by-the-brilliant-vijay-deverakonda/article19564748.ece |access-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126161908/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sandeep-reddy-vanga-gives-a-new-dimension-to-telugu-cinema-helped-by-the-brilliant-vijay-deverakonda/article19564748.ece |archive-date=26 January 2018}}

Indo-Asian News Service gave the film five stars out of five, called it the "most original, experimental and daring work to come out Telugu cinema in a long time", and said the protagonist's "rise, fall and rise ... is nothing short of poetic and heart wrenching".{{Cite news |date=26 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: Intense, raw and unbelievably honest. 5 stars |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Indo Asian News Service |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/arjun-reddy-movie-review-intense-raw-and-unbelievably-honest-5-stars/story-kSroTBJoqiGlTBavkdlVeK.html |access-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126154917/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/arjun-reddy-movie-review-intense-raw-and-unbelievably-honest-5-stars/story-kSroTBJoqiGlTBavkdlVeK.html |archive-date=26 January 2018}} Neeshita Nyayapati gave the film four stars out of five and commented: "With Arjun Reddy, Sandeep Vanga has managed to tell a story that is seldom told, without sleaze or cheesy lines or [over the top] drama".{{Cite news |last=Nyayapati |first=Neeshitha |date=26 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy Movie Review |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/arjun-reddy/movie-review/60277192.cms |access-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180126162634/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/arjun-reddy/movie-review/60277192.cms |archive-date=26 January 2018}} Srivatsan of India Today also gave the film four stars out of five and wrote: "Lo and behold, Arjun Reddy—the film and Vijay Deverakonda, is something that the Telugu industry deserved in the first place", and praised the "brutal and honest" filmmaking.{{Cite magazine |last=Srivatsan |date=30 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: Vijay Deverakonda's film deserves to be celebrated |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/arjun-reddy-movie-review-vijay-deverakonda-sai-sandeep-vanga-1034193-2017-08-30 |magazine=India Today |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180126163245/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/arjun-reddy-movie-review-vijay-deverakonda-sai-sandeep-vanga-1034193-2017-08-30 |archive-date=26 January 2018 |access-date=26 January 2018}} Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle also gave the film four stars out of five and commended the performances and the filmmaking but was apprehensive of the second half's pace.{{Cite news |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=29 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: This film is a sensation! |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/290817/arjun-reddy-is-a-sensation.html |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131125834/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/290817/arjun-reddy-is-a-sensation.html |archive-date=31 January 2018}} The Times of India, also gave four stars stating "Arjun Reddy is the dawn of a new era of films for the Telugu film industry."{{Citation |title=Arjun Reddy Review {4/5}: The movie is the dawn of a new era of films for the Telugu film industry |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/arjun-reddy/movie-review/60277192.cms |access-date=11 July 2020}}

Hemanth Kumar, in his review for Firstpost gave 3.75 stars out of five and praised the storytelling in particular, saying: "There are no gimmicks, no surprises, no twists. And in doing so, we are forced to absorb the film at a more personal and subconscious level."{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Hemanth |date=25 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: Vijay Devarakonda-starrer heralds a new chapter in Telugu cinema |work=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-movie-review-vijay-devarakonda-starrer-heralds-a-new-chapter-in-telugu-cinema-3972675.html |access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128093720/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-movie-review-vijay-devarakonda-starrer-heralds-a-new-chapter-in-telugu-cinema-3972675.html |archive-date=28 January 2018}} Latha Srinivasan, in her review for NewsX, wrote that the protagonist is "unconventional, free-spirited and tries to break the shackles of traditional societal norms". She said the romance is "rooted in deep emotions" and gave the film 3.5 stars out of five.{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=1 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy movie review: A sensational film that pushes all boundaries |work=NewsX |url=https://www.newsx.com/entertainment/73826-arjun-reddy-movie-review-a-sensational-film-that-pushes-all-boundaries |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131130250/https://www.newsx.com/entertainment/73826-arjun-reddy-movie-review-a-sensational-film-that-pushes-all-boundaries |archive-date=31 January 2018}} Giving three stars out of five, K. Naresh Kumar of The Hans India was critical of the film's pace and a few subplots in the second half. He wrote: "As a tale of a love-struck man, who falters and finally figures out what is best for him, the experiment that the director undertakes is tedious, stretching out time and again".{{Cite news |last=Naresh Kumar |first=K. |date=27 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy: Bold, different and tad too long |work=The Hans India |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2017-08-27/Arjun-Reddy-Bold-different-and-tad-too-long/322038 |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131130606/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2017-08-27/Arjun-Reddy-Bold-different-and-tad-too-long/322038 |archive-date=31 January 2018}} Murali Krishna CH, in his review for the Cinema Express, praised the unpredictability of the first half but was apprehensive of some emotional scenes in the second half; he found them a "serious flaw" after the intermission.{{Cite news |last=Murali Krishna |first=CH |date=26 August 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy: A youthful masterpiece |work=Cinema Express |url=http://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/telugu/2017/aug/26/arjun-reddy-a-youthful-masterpiece-1807.html |access-date=3 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203151429/http://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/telugu/2017/aug/26/arjun-reddy-a-youthful-masterpiece-1807.html |archive-date=3 February 2018}}

The film has drawn criticism for its alleged misogyny and glorification of toxic masculinity. Sowmya Rajendran, in her review for The News Minute, panned its "utterly colourless" female characters and validation of abusive behaviour, writing: "The film treats women as property, to be under the protection and control of men ... [it] will have us believe that women have no opinions about anything that happens to them or around them."{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |date=4 September 2017 |title='Arjun Reddy' may be a 21st century epic but why are its women stuck in the past? |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-may-be-21st-century-epic-why-are-its-women-stuck-past-67858 |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405100655/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arjun-reddy-may-be-21st-century-epic-why-are-its-women-stuck-past-67858 |archive-date=5 April 2018}} Malini Raghu of Deccan Herald concurred, stating: "portraying [Reddy] as just a wounded and short-tempered but affectionate boy is not acceptable to many [...] The female lead's gullibility is annoying, especially to women. All she does is keep mum and boost her man's ego."{{Cite news |last=Raghu |first=Malini |date=23 June 2019 |title=Why 'Kabir Singh' and 'Arjun Reddy' are sexist, toxic |work=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-your-bond-with-bengaluru/why-kabir-singh-and-arjun-reddy-are-sexist-toxic-742296.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731155515/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-your-bond-with-bengaluru/why-kabir-singh-and-arjun-reddy-are-sexist-toxic-742296.html |archive-date=31 July 2020}} Vishnupriya Bhandaram of Firstpost found the film's depiction of misbehavior as an alpha male attribute to be "deeply problematic",{{Cite news |last=Bhandaram |first=Vishnupriya |date=4 September 2017 |title=Arjun Reddy: How Vijay Devarakonda's film is a nod to toxic masculinity |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-how-vijay-devarakondas-film-is-a-70mm-nod-to-toxic-masculinity-4006083.html |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405101322/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arjun-reddy-how-vijay-devarakondas-film-is-a-70mm-nod-to-toxic-masculinity-4006083.html |archive-date=5 April 2018}} while Sify's Ashley Tellis classified it as "part of the culture of misogyny that has always existed in Telugu (and Tamil and all Indian film cultures)."{{Cite web |last=Tellis |first=Ashley |date=26 July 2018 |title=Arjun Reddy, Sri Reddy & Telugu cinema's hatred for women |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/arjun-reddy-sri-reddy--telugu-cinemas-hatred-for-women-news-telugu-sh0lUQhdjifhc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202141742/https://www.sify.com/movies/arjun-reddy-sri-reddy--telugu-cinemas-hatred-for-women-news-telugu-sh0lUQhdjifhc.html |archive-date=2 December 2019 |access-date=9 April 2020 |website=Sify}} Speaking to The Asian Age, Neelima Menon opined that "it's problematic when you add celebratory background score to an act of verbally abusing a woman with sexually coloured remarks, or beating her up, or decide to make these acts sound heroic."{{Cite news |date=23 June 2019 |title=Terribly toxic trends |work=The Asian Age |url=https://www.asianage.com/entertainment/bollywood/230619/terribly-toxic-trends.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227130211/https://www.asianage.com/entertainment/bollywood/230619/terribly-toxic-trends.html |archive-date=27 February 2021}} Writing for Mashable, Pramit Chatterjee summed up the film as "the flag-bearer of 21st-century toxic masculinity".{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Pramit |date=27 May 2019 |title=Let's Discuss 'Kabir Singh', 'Arjun Reddy' and Their Love For Toxic Masculinity |url=https://in.mashable.com/culture/3688/lets-discuss-kabir-singh-arjun-reddy-and-their-love-for-toxic-masculinity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204141407/https://in.mashable.com/culture/3688/lets-discuss-kabir-singh-arjun-reddy-and-their-love-for-toxic-masculinity |archive-date=4 February 2020 |access-date=9 April 2020 |website=Mashable}}

In 2019, actress Parvathy criticised Arjun Reddy at a roundtable organised by Film Companion for glorifying misogyny, abuse and toxic masculinity in the films at International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Her comments against Arjun Reddy were met with widespread appreciation and criticism with many noting that she was brave enough to address the issue in front of Deverakonda.{{Cite news |date=28 November 2019 |title=Parvathy Menon slammed Arjun Reddy |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-deverakonda-on-arjun-reddy-row-i-love-parvathy-but-social-media-hadavidi-irritates-me-1623294-2019-11-28 |url-status=live |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108015326/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-deverakonda-on-arjun-reddy-row-i-love-parvathy-but-social-media-hadavidi-irritates-me-1623294-2019-11-28 |archive-date=8 January 2021}} Later, Deverakonda criticised social media trollers during an interview for blowing the issue out of proportion while simultaneously emphasising on how much he respected Parvathy and her work.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2019 |title="I love Parvathy. But I dislike that people are celebrating at my cost," says Vijay Deverakonda while addressing the Arjun Reddy controversy |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/love-parvathy-dislike-people-celebrating-cost-says-vijay-deverakonda-addressing-arjun-reddy-controversy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201092736/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/love-parvathy-dislike-people-celebrating-cost-says-vijay-deverakonda-addressing-arjun-reddy-controversy/ |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=19 August 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama}} The main character was spoofed in the Malayalam film Super Sharanya.{{Cite news |last=V.S |first=Goutham |date=7 January 2022 |title=Super Sharanya movie review: Why is Sharanya Super? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mollywood-movie-review/super-sharanya-movie-review-why-is-sharanya-super/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015100551/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mollywood-movie-review/super-sharanya-movie-review-why-is-sharanya-super/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title='Super Sharanya' review: Girish A D returns with another charmer |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/jan/11/super-sharanya-review-girish-a-d-returns-with-another-charmer-2405319.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031120654/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/jan/11/super-sharanya-review-girish-a-d-returns-with-another-charmer-2405319.html |url-status=live }}

Post-release, Hanumantha Rao lodged a complaint against the film, stating that it promoted sexual abuse in colleges and substance abuse in hospitals. He also asked K. Chandrashekar Rao, the chief minister of Telangana, to stop the film's screening across the state.{{Cite news |date=30 August 2017 |title=Ban 'Arjun Reddy' for promoting drugs, says Congress leader who tore posters of the film |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ban-arjun-reddy-promoting-drugs-says-congress-leader-who-tore-posters-film-67588 |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155120/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ban-arjun-reddy-promoting-drugs-says-congress-leader-who-tore-posters-film-67588 |url-status=live }} A week after the film's release, D. Nagaraju from Khammam accused the film's makers of plagiarising his script and demanded compensation of {{Indian Rupee}}2 crore.{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Papri |date=31 August 2017 |title='Arjun Reddy' gets embroiled in plagiarism controversy |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-gets-embroiled-in-plagiarism-controversy/articleshow/60311759.cms |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180408153345/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-gets-embroiled-in-plagiarism-controversy/articleshow/60311759.cms |archive-date=8 April 2018}} In Vijayawada, women's organisations held a protest against the film, complaining of its "objectionable" content that could have a negative impact on young people.{{Cite news |date=1 September 2017 |title=Women's groups protest against 'Arjun Reddy' in Vijayawada, demand ban on film's screening |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/womens-groups-protest-against-arjun-reddy-vijayawada-demand-ban-films-screening-67695 |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155059/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/womens-groups-protest-against-arjun-reddy-vijayawada-demand-ban-films-screening-67695 |url-status=live }}

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Arjun Reddy eventually gained huge popularity and was praised by many celebrities across Indian cinema. The film's success provided major breakthrough and elevated Devarakonda to superstardom and brought huge recognition for Sandeep Reddy Vanga and made him one of the most sought out film directors across Indian cinema. The film attained huge cult following among youth in Telugu cinema for its storytelling, characterisation, innovative screenplay and shotmaking techniques, and has been recognised by many to have introduced new style of filmmaking and has set standards for other Indian films, eventually making it a trendsetting and pathbreaking film.{{Cite news|title='Arjun Reddy' completes three years: Recollect these kick-ass SCENES from Vijay Deverakonda's cult film|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-completes-three-years-recollect-these-kick-ass-scenes-from-vijay-deverakondas-cult-film/articleshow/77738811.cms|date=25 August 2020|access-date=22 May 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901045857/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/arjun-reddy-completes-three-years-recollect-these-kick-ass-scenes-from-vijay-deverakondas-cult-film/articleshow/77738811.cms|url-status=live}} {{Cite web|title=Three years for cult classic Arjun Reddy|url=https://www.telugu360.com/three-years-for-cult-classic-arjun-reddy/|date=25 August 2020|access-date=22 May 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901045854/https://www.telugu360.com/three-years-for-cult-classic-arjun-reddy/|url-status=live}}

Arjun Reddy was remade in Hindi by Vanga himself as Kabir Singh, which was released on 21 June 2019.{{Cite news |last=Kotecha |first=Ronak |date=20 June 2019 |title=Kabir Singh Movie Review |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabir-singh/movie-review/69879261.cms |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190620170404/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabir-singh/movie-review/69879261.cms |archive-date=20 June 2019}} The film was first remade in Tamil by Bala as Varmaa; however in early 2019 the production company E4 Entertainment shelved the film's release due to creative differences with Bala,{{Cite news |date=7 February 2019 |title=E4 Entertainment not happy with Bala's Varmaa; to re-shoot the Arjun Reddy remake with a new team |work=Cinema Express |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/feb/07/e4-entertainment-not-happy-with-of-balas-varmaa-to-re-shoot-the-arjun-reddy-remake-with-a-new-team-10004.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207131854/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/feb/07/e4-entertainment-not-happy-with-of-balas-varmaa-to-re-shoot-the-arjun-reddy-remake-with-a-new-team-10004.html |archive-date=7 February 2019}} and relaunched the film as Adithya Varma with Gireesaaya directing, which was released on 21 November 2019.{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=22 November 2019 |title=Adithya Varma Movie Review : A well-made, if overtly faithful, remake with Adithya Varma. |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/adithya-varma/movie-review/72179520.cms |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122170910/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/adithya-varma/movie-review/72179520.cms |archive-date=22 November 2019}} Despite initially being shelved, Varmaa was released on 6 October 2020.{{Cite web |last=Suganth |first=M |date=6 October 2020 |title=Movie Review : Bala's Varmaa gets Arjun Reddy all wrong |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/varmaa/movie-review/78505628.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006052115/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/varmaa/movie-review/78505628.cms |archive-date=6 October 2020 |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=The Times of India}} In June 2019, producer S. Narayan bought the Kannada remake rights of the film.{{Cite web |date=26 June 2019 |title=Vijay Deverkonda's Arjun Reddy to next go to Sandalwood after Bollywood and Kollywood! |url=https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/vijay-deverkondas-arjun-reddy-to-next-go-to-sandalwood-after-bollywood-and-kollywood-460651.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190627132432/https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/vijay-deverkondas-arjun-reddy-to-next-go-to-sandalwood-after-bollywood-and-kollywood-460651.htm |archive-date=27 June 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019 |website=In.com}} E4 Entertainment also holds the rights to make a Malayalam version.{{Cite web |last=V |first=Narayanan |date=22 November 2019 |title=For the Tamil cinema lover, there's action, family drama and horror-comedy to end the year |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/theres-plenty-in-store-for-the-tamil-cinema-lover-over-the-next-two-months/article30046840.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127181447/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/theres-plenty-in-store-for-the-tamil-cinema-lover-over-the-next-two-months/article30046840.ece |archive-date=27 November 2019 |access-date=1 December 2019 |website=Business Line}} In 2021, Yuva Films, a Nepali film production company was reported to be producing a Nepali version of Arjun Reddy.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Yuwa Films announces auditions for South Indian film Arjun Reddy's Nepali remake |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/entertainment/makers-of-south-indian-film-arjun-reddys-announce-auditions-for-nepali-remake-including-lead-actors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222095701/https://thehimalayantimes.com/entertainment/makers-of-south-indian-film-arjun-reddys-announce-auditions-for-nepali-remake-including-lead-actors |archive-date=22 February 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |website=The Himalayan Times}}

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{{Sandeep Reddy Vanga}}

Category:2010s avant-garde and experimental films

Category:2010s Indian films

Category:2010s psychological drama films

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Category:Films about alcoholism

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Category:Films about mental health

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Category:Films scored by Radhan

Category:Films set in Karnataka

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Category:Indian avant-garde and experimental films

Category:Indian independent films

Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films

Category:Indian psychological drama films

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Category:Obscenity controversies in film

Category:Telugu films remade in other languages

Category:Films directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga

{{Good article}}