Devanthakudu (1984 film)

Last updated

Devanthakudu
Devanthakudu 1984 poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar
Written byThotapalli Madhu (dialogues)
Screenplay byS. A. Chandrasekhar
Produced by G. V. Narayana Rao
Starring Chiranjeevi
Vijayashanti
CinematographyN. Kesava
Edited byGowtham Raju
Music by J. V. Raghavulu
Production
company
Damayanthi Art Productions
Release date
  • 12 April 1984 (1984-04-12)
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Devanthakudu is a 1984 Indian Telugu-language action crime drama film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti. It is a remake of Chandrasekhar's own 1983 Kannada film Geluvu Nannade. The film was released on 12 April 1984 and emerged as a commercial success. [1]

Contents

Plot

Vijay Kumar, a daring and dashing college student with a penchant for betting and challenges, is dared by his friend Chanti to commit the perfect crime—killing a professor and escaping without leaving any evidence. Vijay initially treats it as a joke and pretends to go through with it. However, when the professor is found dead, Vijay is wrongfully accused of the murder. The rest of the plot follows Vijay's struggle to clear his name and uncover the true identity of the killer and the motive behind the crime.

Cast

Source: [1] [2]

Production

Development

Devanthakudu was produced by actor G. V. Narayana Rao under the Damayanthi Arts banner, named after his mother. Following the success of Chattaaniki Kallu Levu (1981), directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and starring Chiranjeevi, both Chiranjeevi and Chandrasekhar became highly sought after. When Narayana Rao planned to produce a new film, Chiranjeevi agreed to star in it without even hearing the story, demonstrating his confidence in the producer. [1]

During the making of the Kannada film Geluvu Nannade (1983), starring Ambareesh and Kannada Prabhakar, Chandrasekhar narrated the film's story to Narayana Rao. Impressed by the basic premise, Narayana Rao acquired the Telugu remake rights. [1] However, the Kannada version was a box-office failure even before the Telugu version began filming, leading Chandrasekhar to suggest abandoning the remake. Nevertheless, Narayana Rao was determined to proceed with the story and enlisted the help of Thotapalli Madhu and Siva Nageswara Rao to make necessary alterations for the Telugu adaptation. The original Kannada version featured two heroes, but this was changed in the Telugu version. [1]

Cast and crew

Vijayashanti, who was an emerging actress at the time, was cast as the lead actress in Devanthakudu after impressing Narayana Rao with her performance in Pelli Chesi Choopistaam (1983). This marked her first role as the primary heroine opposite Chiranjeevi, though she had previously been the second lead in Sangharshana (1983). [1] The casting of Gokina Rama Rao as the antagonist Dharmaraj was a notable decision. Initially, Rao Gopal Rao was considered for the role, but concerns about the demanding night scenes led to the selection of Rama Rao. [1]

Thotapalli Madhu, a playwright from Vijayawada, made his debut as a screenwriter with Devanthakudu. Narayana Rao, who had come across Madhu's plays, offered him the opportunity after acquiring the remake rights of the Kannada film. Madhu's remuneration for the film was ₹12,500. The film's success established him as a writer, and he went on to work on 193 films over the next 25 years. [1] Siva Nageswara Rao, who assisted in the story development, collaborated closely with Narayana Rao and Madhu during the script discussions, often working late into the night. Although they considered dropping the subject due to the failure of the Kannada version, Narayana Rao's persistence led them to refine the story further. [1]

Filming

The film's production commenced at the end of October 1983, with the talkie portion completed in 22 days at Sarathi Studios and Hyderabad Public School. Chiranjeevi had suffered a ligament tear during the shooting of Sangharshana, requiring him to travel to London for treatment. As a result, the filming of the songs was delayed by five months, with the remaining songs shot in Madras. [1]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by J. V. Raghavulu, with lyrics by Veturi, Gopi and Jyothirmayi. [1]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Chellammaku Pellanta"Gopi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja  
2."Chilakocchi Kodutunte Chirubugga"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja 
3."Gadiyako Kowgilintha"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela  
4."Chellammaku Pellanta" (pathos)GopiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam 
5."Aakesi"JyothirmayiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki 
6."Nekubusam"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam 

Release

Devanthakudu was released on 12 April 1984. It was made on a budget of ₹22 lakh (equivalent to ₹3.4 croreorUS$410,000 in 2023). Devanthakudu was a commercial success, bringing profits to all parties involved. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veturi</span> Poet

Veturi Sundararama Murthy, known mononymously by his surname Veturi, was an Indian poet, lyricist and journalist who is popular for writing Telugu songs. His career in Telugu cinema spanned more than four decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. Ramanaidu</span> Indian film producer (1936–2015)

Daggubati Ramanaidu was an Indian film producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. He founded Suresh Productions in 1964 which became of one of the largest film production companies in India. He was one of the most influential movie Moguls in Indian cinema. He was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most films produced by an individual, with more than 150 films in all official Indian languages. He also served as a Member of Parliament for the Bapatla constituency in Andhra Pradesh in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004.

<i>Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.</i> 2004 Indian film

Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee. A remake of the Hindi film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), the film stars Chiranjeevi, Sonali Bendre, Srikanth, Girish Karnad, and Paresh Rawal. It received positive reviews and was commercially successful completing 100 days run at the box office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijayashanti</span> Indian actress, film producer and politician

Vijayashanti is an Indian actress, film producer and politician. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has acted in 187 feature films in a variety of roles in various languages predominantly in Telugu films, in addition to Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. She is widely referred as the "Lady Superstar", "Lady Amitabh", and "The Action Queen of Indian Cinema", She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her work as a female cop in Kartavyam for depicting both aggression and feminity with balance and restraint (1990). She is a recipient of several accolades, including four Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards for Best Actress, seven Filmfare Awards South together with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu Government.

<i>Pasivadi Pranam</i> 1987 Indian film

Pasivadi Pranam is a 1987 Indian Telugu-language thriller film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy, starring Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Raghuvaran and Sujitha. The film was produced by Allu Aravind under Geetha Arts banner. It was a remake of the Malayalam film Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal (1986).

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

Chiranjeevi is a Tollywood film which released on 18 April 1985. This film was directed by C. V. Rajendran. This film stars Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti with Bhanupriya in a small role. The film was a remake of Kannada film Naane Raja (1984).

Aradhana or Aaradhana is a Sanskrit word meaning an act of glorifying God or worship. It may refer to:

<i>Adavi Ramudu</i> (2004 film) 2004 film directed by B. Gopal

Adavi Ramudu is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language romantic action film which was directed by B. Gopal. Prabhas and Aarti Agarwal played the lead roles. The film features a love story between a tribal youth and his childhood sweetheart. This was Prabhas' next movie immediately after the success of Varsham. Upon release, it received mostly negative reception from the critics and audience alike and was a flop at the box-office. The film was later dubbed into Hindi as The Strong Man Badal in 2009. This was V. S. R. Swamy's final film as cinematographer before his death in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiger Prabhakar</span> Indian Kannada film actor

Tiger Prabhakar was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Kannada and Telugu cinema. He has also acted in a few Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films (Bollywood). He was also known as Kannada Prabhakar,

K. Chakravarthi was an Indian music director who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He made his debut in 1971 with Mooga Prema and went on compose music for over 1000 films, predominantly in Telugu language, followed by Kannada. He won two Nandi Awards.

<i>Gundamma Katha</i> 1962 film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao

Gundamma Katha is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and co-produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner Vijaya Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna, with S. V. Ranga Rao, Suryakantham, and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.

<i>Chattaniki Kallu Levu</i> 1981 Indian film

Chattaniki Kallu Levu is a 1981 Indian Telugu-language vigilante action film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Madhavi, Lakshmi, Hema Sundar and Kannada Prabhakar in important roles. It is a remake of Chandrasekhar's 1981 Tamil film Sattam Oru Iruttarai. The film was released on 30 October 1981 and became a commercial success.

Siva Nageswara Rao is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. He is especially known for his work in comedy films. His notable films include Money (1993), Money Money (1994), Lucky Chance (1994), Sisindri (1995), Pattukondi Chooddaam (1997), Hands Up! (2000), Dhanalakshmi, I Love You (2002), Mr & Mrs Sailaja Krishnamurthy (2004), Bhookailas (2007).

<i>Vetri</i> (film) 1984 Indian film

Vetri (transl. Victory) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language action crime film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. Vijayakanth plays the lead role. The music was composed by Shankar–Ganesh. S. A. Chandrasekhar's son, Vijay, also plays a cameo role as a child artist, making it his first ever on-screen performance. The film was a remake of the director's own 1983 Kannada film Geluvu Nannade which he also later remade in Telugu as Devanthakudu (1984). The film was released on 17 February 1984.

<i>Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu</i> 1963 Indian film

Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by K. V. Reddy under the Jayanthi Pictures banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. The film was based on the Telugu play Gayopakhyanam written by Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham in 1890. It was later dubbed into Kannada and into Tamil.

<i>Palletoori Monagadu</i> 1983 Indian Telugu film by S. A. Chandrasekhar

Palletoori Monagadu is a 1983 Telugu-language film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and produced by Midde Rama Rao. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Radhika Sarathkumar. The film had musical score by K. Chakravarthy. The film was a remake of director's own Tamil film Nenjile Thunivirunthal.

<i>Surya IPS</i> 1991 Indian film

Surya IPS is a 1991 Telugu-language action crime film produced by T. Subbarami Reddy under the Maheswari Parameswari Productions banner and directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. Venkatesh and Vijayashanti played the lead roles, and the music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was recorded as Average at the box office. It was later dubbed in Tamil as Mudhalamaichar Jayanthi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shakti Prasad</span> Indian actor (1928-1986)

J. C. Ramaswamy, known by his screen name Shakti Prasad, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films in mostly villainous roles. In a career spanning close to 20 years, he appeared in over 200 films including landmark films such as Immadi Pulikeshi (1967) and Antha (1981).

<i>Driver Babu</i> 1986 Telugu film starring Sobhan Babu

Driver Babu is a 1986 Indian Telugu language action drama film directed by Boyina Subba Rao starring Sobhan Babu and Radha. A remake of the Hindi film, Khud-daar, it emerged as a critical and commercial success.

K. Murali Mohana Rao is an Indian film director, and producer known for his works in Telugu, and Hindi language films. Rao made his feature film debut with the 1983 super-hit Telugu language action film Sangharshana, starring Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti. In 1984 he scripted and directed the drama film Kathanayakudu, upon its success, he remade it in Hindi as Dilwaala (1986).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sri Atluri (3 June 2009). "Retro: Devanthakudu (1984) completes 25 years". Telugucinema.com . Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  2. ↑ "Devanthakudu". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
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.