Movie: Shiva (4K)
Rating: N/A
Banners: Annapurna Studios, SS Creations
Cast: Nagarjuna Akkineni, Amala, Raghuvaran, Tanikella Bharani, Jithendra, Murali Mohan, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Sai Chand, Subhalekha Sudhakar, JD Chakravarthy, Ramjagan, Nirmalamma, Brahmaji, Uttej, and others
Music: Ilayaraja
Director of Photography: S. Gopal Reddy
Editor: Sattibabu
Production Designer: Thota Tharani
Action: R Raju
Producers: Akkineni Venkat, Yarlagadda Surendra
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Ram Gopal Varma
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Every year, we witness several blockbuster movies. Some go a step further, breaking all-time records and rewriting box-office history. The massive success of franchises like Baahubali and KGF expanded the markets of Telugu and Kannada cinema to unimaginable heights. Yet only once in a while does a film come along that completely changes the landscape of an industry; redefining storytelling, revolutionizing technical craft, inspiring a generation of filmmakers, and transforming how audiences experience cinema.
If there ever was such a film in Telugu cinema, it would be Shiva (1989), directed by Ram Gopal Varma and headlined by Akkineni Nagarjuna.
Those who watched Shiva during its original theatrical run still remember the electrifying experience. The younger generation may not fully understand the storm it created, but they have heard the stories; and many have rediscovered its brilliance through later TV broadcasts and DVD releases.
Interestingly, Ram Gopal Varma has often said that the story idea was loosely inspired by Bruce Lee’s Return of the Dragon (1972), where Lee arrives in Rome to help a local restaurant fight off mobsters. Similarly, in Shiva, Nagarjuna plays a college student who takes on the corrupt nexus of campus politics and local goons, standing up to Bhavani (Raghuvaran), a ruthless crime lord who controls the city.
The true strength of Shiva lies not in its straightforward plot but in its innovative storytelling and filmmaking style.
The film’s sound design and background score were unlike anything Telugu audiences had ever heard, and even today, in the remastered 4K version, they remain among its strongest elements. Ram Gopal Varma elevated sound design to an art form, giving every silence and sound a sense of purpose.
Shiva was also the first South Indian film to use Steadicam technology, giving it dynamic, fluid visuals. The use of silence to heighten tension, imaginative camerawork, and emphasis on realism over exaggerated fights showcased RGV’s mastery of cinematic language.
The new 4K restoration, enhanced with Dolby Atmos, takes its remarkable sound design to a new level. The color grading retains the film’s gritty tone, preserving its raw visual essence.
When we recently revisited Baahubali: The Epic; the condensed version of both Baahubali films; the visuals of the first part felt dated, even though the drama held up. It reminded us how fast technology evolves and how films built heavily on visual spectacle often lose their impact with time.
That’s not the case with Shiva.
Since it was shot on film, not digital, and relied on mood, realism, and strong storytelling rather than computer graphics, it has aged beautifully. The noir-inspired visuals still look stunning. While the remastered version doesn’t add much new detail, it doesn’t take away from its power either. What continues to make Shiva timeless even after 35 years is its raw energy, grounded narrative, and Ram Gopal Varma’s visionary direction.
It’s also incredible how Ilaiyaraaja delivered a background score that still feels ahead of its time; fresh, intense, and emotionally charged. The remastered cut trims a few songs, including “Kiss Me Hello,” making the pacing tighter and more engaging.
Whether you’ve watched Shiva countless times or are experiencing it for the first time, Shiva 4K doesn’t disappoint. It rekindles the thrill for longtime fans and lets new audiences understand why this classic caused such a sensation when it first hit theatres.
Bottom-line: Evergreen classic
