Alluri Seetarama Raju (film)

Last updated

Alluri Seetarama Raju
Alluri Seetarama Raju poster.jpg
Directed byV. Ramachandra Rao
Written by Tripuraneni Maharadhi
Based on Life of Alluri Sitarama Raju
Produced byG. Hanumantha Rao
Krishna (presenter)
Starring Krishna
Vijaya Nirmala
Jaggayya
Music by P. Adinarayana Rao
Production
company
Release date
  • 1 May 1974 (1974-05-01)
Running time
187 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Tripuraneni Maharadhi. The film stars Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala, and Jaggayya. It is produced by Padmalaya Studios marking the 100th film of Krishna. [1] The film depicts the life of Alluri Sitarama Raju, an Indian revolutionary, who is known for his role in the Rampa Rebellion from 1922 until his capture and killing in 1924. Seetarama Raju, with a band of farmers, tribal leaders and other sympathizers, fought an armed rebellion against the British Raj in response to repressive legislation passed in 1882. This was Krishna's 100th film as an actor and it was the first Telugu film to be made in Cinemascope. [2]

Contents

The film won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song "Telugu Veera Levara" penned by the Telugu poet Sri Sri. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film, and was screened at the International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section, and Tashkent Film Festival. The film ran for 175 days and was the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. [3]

Plot

Cast

Source [4]

Production

Development and casting

D. L. Narayana, producer of Devadasu (1953), initially sought to make a film based on Alluri Sitarama Raju featuring Sobhan Babu as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given the story to Krishna who was willing to produce it thus becoming actor's 100th film as an actor. Incidentally it was Tripuraneni Maharadhi who wrote the script for producer D.L. Narayana too. [5] N. T. Rama Rao also planned to make a film on it but dropped after he felt the subject was too dry and would not work commercially. [6]

According to Maharadhi, the casting was done thorough discussions that involved everyone concerned with the project. S. V. Ranga Rao was originally for the role of Ghantam Dora but he got hospitalised before the film went to sets, he was replaced by Balaiah. [6]

Filming

Filming took place around Chintapalle forest and Krishnadevi Peta forest of Andhra Pradesh around 60 days with 15 days being shot in Chennai. [5] Ramachandra Rao passed away after completing one third of the film. The rest of the film was directed by Krishna; K. S. R. Das handled the war and fight scenes. [6] The film's cinematographer V. S. R. Swamy who "managed the whole movie with just two lenses, one for closeups and another for long shots". Since this technique was absolutely untested before, the makers had to import the necessary equipment like Aeriflax & Michell cameras, 45 mm & 70 mm lenses from Kamal Amrohi who used them to can Pakeezah. [6]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. [7] [8]

Reception

Critical reception

The film received a positive review from Andhra Patrika dated 5 May 1974. [9]

Box office

The film ran for 200 days. [10] It was the first film to collect a distributor share of ₹ 1 crore (equivalent to ₹30 croreorUS$3.8 million in 2023). [3]

Awards

National Film Awards
Nandi Awards [11]

Legacy

The film was screened at the Patriotic Film Festival held at Coimbatore in February 2017, jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defense, commemorating 70th Indian Independence Day. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Sri (writer)</span> Telugu poet and lyricist

Srirangam Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Sri Sri, was an Indian poet and lyricist who is known for his works in Telugu literature and films. Noted for his anthology Maha Prasthanam, Sri Sri is a recipient of a National Film Award, a Nandi Award and a Sahitya Akademi Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaggayya</span> Indian actor, politician (1928–2004)

Kongara Jaggayya was an Indian actor, littérateur, journalist, lyricist, dubbing artist and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He was known as Kanchu Kantam Jaggayya (Telugu) for his booming voice. In a film career spanning forty years as a matinee idol, he starred in eighty films, as a lead actor, and lead antagonist in a variety of genres. In 1967, he was elected as a member of the fourth Lok Sabha, from the constituency of Ongole, becoming the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of the Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krishna (Telugu actor)</span> Indian actor, film director and film producer (1943–2022)

Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy, known mononymously as Krishna, was an Indian actor, film director and film producer known for his work predominantly in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning more than five decades, he starred in over 350 films in a variety of roles. He is referred to as "Superstar" in the Telugu media. In 2009, for his contributions to Indian cinema the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the country. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Congress party in 1989. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in addition to Honorary doctorate from Andhra University in 2008. He died on 15 November 2022 due to cardiac arrest.

S. Gopal Reddy is an Indian cinematographer, screenwriter, director and producer, known for his works in Telugu and Hindi. He is mainly known for his collaborations with Jandhyala, Ram Gopal Varma, and K. Raghavendra Rao. In 1991, he co-produced the blockbuster Kshana Kshanam, under his production house Durga Arts. He has received two Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award (South) for Varsham and Sri Ramadasu in 2004 and 2006 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajanala (actor)</span> Indian actor (1925–1998)

Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, known mononymously by his surname as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and a few Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rajanala acted in more than 1400 feature films in a variety of characters. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rajanala was known for his gruesome portrayals of lead antagonist roles during the Golden age of Telugu cinema. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the film industry felicitated him for his achievements and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Filmfare Awards South and Nandi Award.

Srihari was an Indian actor who was active mainly in Telugu cinema. He appeared in some Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films as well. He won seven Nandi Awards and one Filmfare Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirmalamma</span> Indian actress

Nirmalamma was an Indian actress in the Telugu cinema. She appeared in more than 1000 films and was well known for her grandmother roles in several films. She won two Nandi Awards.

<i>Mayuri</i> (film) 1985 Indian film

Mayuri (transl. Peacock) is a 1985 Indian Telugu-language biographical dance film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Ramoji Rao. Based on the life of Sudha Chandran, the film stars her in the title role while P. L. Narayana, Nirmalamma, Y. Vijaya, Potti Prasad, K. K. Sharma, S. R. Raju and Suthi Veerabhadra Rao played supporting roles.

Penupatruni Adinarayana Rao was an Indian music director, film producer, lyricist and play writer. He co-founded "Aswini Pictures" with Akkineni Nageswara Rao and produced some movies in Telugu and Tamil. Later, he produced several blockbuster Telugu films under his own production house, Anjali Pictures, named after his actress wife, Anjali Devi. He also composed and produced music for several Tamil and Hindi films.

Tripuraneni Maharadhi was an Indian Telugu film, screenplay, dialogue and script writer. He is remembered for his political forays, as well as for the film Alluri Seetharama Raju. He was the de facto director for all the scripts he wrote. His son Varaprasad Tripuraneni is a film maker and a prominent BJP politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. Ranga Rao</span> Indian music composer

M. Ranga Rao was a prominent Indian composer who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema. Rao was known for his mellifluous scores and lilting tunes backed with strong classical nuances. "Ranga Rao" composed tunes for approximately 100 films in Kannada cinema.

N. Trivikrama Rao was an Indian film producer, director and screenwriter in Telugu cinema. He was the younger brother of N. T. Rama Rao and the co-owner of National Art Theatre, Madras, a production house under which he has co-produced 40 feature films alongside N. T. Rama Rao. He has received four National Film Awards, three Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards South.

<i>Tandra Paparayudu</i> (film) 1986 Indian film

Tandra Paparayudu is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language biographical war film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha, Sumalatha, Pran and Mohan Babu. It is based on the life of 18th century warrior Tandra Paparayudu, the General of Bobbili, and General Bussy. Made on a big-budget of ₹1.5 crore, Tandra Paparayudu was a major box-office failure. The film was featured at the 11th International Film Festival of India. It won two Nandi Awards.

<i>Seetharama Raju</i> 1999 Indian film

Seetharama Raju is a 1999 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Y. V. S. Chowdary. Produced by Nagarjuna, and D. Sivaprasad Reddy, it stars Nandamuri Harikrishna, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Sakshi Shivanand, Sanghavi with music composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film won two state Nandi Awards.

<i>Kurukshetram</i> (1977 film) 1977 Indian film

Kurukshetram is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film produced by A. S. R. Anjaneyulu and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars Krishna, Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju and Kaikala Satyanarayana while Jamuna, Vijaya Nirmala, Anjali Devi and Gummadi played other important roles.

Padaharella Ammayi is a 1986 Telugu-language comedy film, produced by R. Dasaradha Rami Reddyunder the Sri Sailaja Films banner and directed by P. S. Krishna Mohan Reddy. It stars Rajendra Prasad, Chitra and music composed by Sivaji Raja.

<i>Bahudoorapu Batasari</i> 1983 Indian film

Bahudoorapu Batasari is a 1983 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sujatha with music composed by Ramesh Naidu. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office. The film won two Nandi Awards.

Orey Rikshaw is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao, and produced by Dasari Film University. It stars R. Narayana Murthy, Ravali and Raghunatha Reddy. It features music composed by Vandemataram Srinivas.

References

  1. ↑ "Krishna's 100th Film Alluri Seetarama Raju". CineGoer. 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007.
  2. ↑ "5 Technological firsts introduced by Superstar Krishna to Telugu cinema". Times of India. 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 Pecheti, Prakash (12 May 2019). "A tribute to 'Manyam Veerudu'". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Alluri Sitaramaraju (1974)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Kavirayani, Suresh (1 May 2014). "Krishna's best movie till date". Deccan Chronicle . Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Maharadhi on ASR". Telugucinema.com . 18 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Alluri Seetharama Raju". Hungama. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Alluri Sitaramaraju (1974)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అల్లూరి సీత రామ రాజు" [Film review: Alluri Seetharama Raju]. Andhra Patrika (in Telugu). 5 May 1974. p. 4.
  10. ↑ "Independence Day Special: Most patriotic films in Telugu cinema". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  12. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festivals". dff.nic.in. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.