Gangotri (2003 film)

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Gangotri
Gangotri film poster.jpg
Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Written byStory & Screenplay:
Chinni Krishna
Dialogues:
Viswanath
Produced by C. Aswini Dutt
Allu Aravind (Presenter)
Starring Allu Arjun
Aditi Agarwal
Prakash Raj
Suman
Cinematography Chota K. Naidu
Edited by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music by M.M. Keeravani
Production
company
United Producers
Release date
  • 28 March 2003 (2003-03-28)
Running time
141 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Gangotri is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, marking his 100th directorial venture. The film was produced by C. Aswani Dutt and presented by Allu Aravind. Written by Chinni Krishna, it features Allu Arjun and Aditi Agarwal in their debut lead roles. Music was composed by M. M. Keeravani and the cinematography was handled by Chota K. Naidu. [1]

Contents

Released on 28 March 2003, the film was later dubbed and released in Malayalam as Simhakutty and in Hindi.

Plot

Neelakantam Naidu, a powerful factionist, has a devoted follower, Narasimha, who is ready to sacrifice his life for his master. After years of misfortune with childbirth, Neelakantam's wife Tulasi gives birth to a daughter. Following the advice of priests, they name her Gangotri and warn that she is afflicted with jalagandam (a water-related curse). To protect her, they suggest taking her to the holy site of Gangotri in the Himalayas for a ritual bath (abhyangana snanam) for 15 years. This is believed to remove all dangers.

Gangotri grows up under strict protection, with Simhadri, Narasimha’s son, acting as her companion and entertainer. Their bond deepens over time, and they become close friends. However, tragedy strikes when Simhadri's mother is killed in a trap intended for Neelakantam. As Gangotri matures, her paternal aunt begins to impose restrictions on her interactions with Simhadri, viewing their closeness as inappropriate. When Simhadri secretly visits Gangotri, they are caught by Neelakantam, leading to accusations and violence. Neelakantam's sister maligns their relationship, and Neelakantam beats Simhadri.

Narasimha intervenes, resulting in a misunderstanding between him and Neelakantam. Believing Narasimha has ulterior motives, Neelakantam plants bombs at Narasimha's house, killing him. Simhadri, unaware of this at first, confronts Neelakantam upon learning the truth and vows to marry Gangotri within a year. He retreats to the holy site of Gangotri and waits for her final ritual bath.

Gangotri eventually arrives at the holy site, and the two attempt to elope. However, Neelakantam intercepts them and stabs Simhadri. In despair, Gangotri attempts suicide, prompting Neelakantam to realise the depth of their love. Simhadri regains consciousness after hearing their favourite flute tune. The couple reunites and embrace, overcoming the obstacles in their path.

Cast

Production

Gangotri marked the 100th directorial venture of K. Raghavendra Rao. The film was jointly produced by C. Aswani Dutt and Allu Aravind under the banner of United Producers. It introduced Allu Arjun, the second son of producer Allu Aravind, and Aditi Agarwal in their debut lead roles. [2]

For this milestone project, Raghavendra Rao selected the Himalayas, particularly Gangotri, as the location for the film’s opening shot and several pivotal scenes. [2] The choice of this sacred site aligned with the film’s storyline. In September 2002, the production team traveled to New Delhi before proceeding to the Himalayas to begin filming. [2] The "Ganga" song was shot at Gangotri starting from 25 September 2002. [3]

By November 2002, the team returned to Hyderabad after completing an extensive schedule in North India, which included filming key scenes and two songs in locations such as Haridwar. [4]

Soundtrack

Gangotri
Soundtrack album by
M. M. Keeravani
Released16 February 2003
Recorded2003
Genre Soundtrack
Length30:41
Label Aditya Music
Producer M. M. Keeravani
M. M. Keeravani chronology
Jism
(2003)		Gangotri
(2003)		 Saaya
(2003)

The music was composed by M. M. Keeravani and released on Aditya Music label. [5] The audio launch was held on 17 February 2003 at Annapurna Studios. [6] In an audio review, Sreya Sunil of Idlebrain.com unfavourably compared the film's soundtracks to Keeravani's Hindi works but rated several songs four out of five. [7]

Track-List
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Nuvvu Nenu" Chandrabose S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malavika 4:51
2."Oka Thotalo"Chandrabose S. P. B. Charan, Malavika3:54
3."Vallanki Pitta"Chandrabose Kousalya, D. Aiswarya3:45
4."Railu Bandi"ChandraboseS. P. B. Charan, Srivardhini3:29
5."Mavayyadi Mogalthooru"Chandrabose Mano, Smita 4:29
6."Ganga"ChandraboseS. P. B. Charan,Sunitha Upadrashta4:16
7."Jevana Vahini" Veturi M. M. Keeravani, Ganga, Kalpana 5:57
Total length:30:41

Reception

Gudipoodi Srihari of The Hindu wrote, "Director Raghavendra Rao renders the film as a lesson to show how various elements in a film can be best used to create a perfect balance" and concluded that "The film is worth watching". [8] Jeevi of Idlebrain.com rated the film three out of five stars and wrote, "Over all its an average film". [1] A critic from Sify wrote, "In spite of all this Raghavendra Rao fails to lift this adolescent love story, as there are no major twists in the plot". [9]

Awards

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References

  1. 1 2 Jeevi (28 March 2003). "Gangotri". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gangotri team leaves for Gangotri". Idlebrain.com. 20 September 2002. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Sirivennela pens a Ganga song for Gangotri". Idlebrain.com. September 2002. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Allu Arjun Gangotri details". Idlebrain.com. 5 November 2002. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Gangothri – All Songs – Download or Listen Free – Saavn" . Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  6. ↑ Jeevi (17 February 2003). "Audio Function of Gangotri". Idlebrain.com . Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "Audio review of Gangotri - Good but not great". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ↑ Srihari, Gudipoodi. "Centurion makes a mark". The Hindu . Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Gangothri". Sify . Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh . Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
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