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Bobbili Puli (transl. Tiger of Bobbili) is a 1982 Indian Telugu-language action film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and Sridevi, with music composed by J. V. Raghavulu. The film was a big hit, collecting 3.5 Crore in its theatrical run. It was remade in Hindi as Zakhmi Sher (1984).[1]
| Bobbili Puli | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Dasari Narayana Rao |
| Written by | Dasari Narayana Rao |
| Produced by | Vadde Ramesh |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Sridevi |
| Cinematography | K. S. Mani |
| Edited by | G. G. Krishna Rao |
| Music by | J. V. Raghavulu |
Production company | Vijaya Madhavi Combines |
Release date |
|
Running time | 176 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹3.5 crore |
Plot edit
Major Chakradhar is a soldier who leads a happy life with his mother Annapurna, sister Jayanti, and fiancée Vijaya, an advocate. He is about to marry Vijaya, but just before their wedding, the Indian army declares an emergency. So, Chakradhar postpones the wedding and goes to the battlefield. Acharya Shankaraiah is involved in treasonous activities under the garb of a Sage by keeping officials under his clutch. Annapurna visits Shankaraiah's Ashram and recognizes him as her estranged husband who was once in the Indian Army. Years ago, they separated after she discovered him betraying his country for monetary gains. A frightened Shankaraiah kills Annapurna as she may reveal his identity. Chakradhar stays on to fight even after receiving the news of his mother's death. He is honored with the Maha Veera Chakra for his bravery. When he returns home, he finds out that his sister is in love with a man named Murali. He goes to Murali's father, Kondala Rao, with a marriage proposal, but Rao stipulates that he will only agree to this marriage if Chakradhar marries his developmentally challenged daughter, Jyothi. Chakradhar agrees to do so and sacrifices his love for Vijaya in the process. Chakradhar begins to see how there are treacherous and unjust things happening everywhere. An industrialist, Rajanala commits arson by burning down an empty warehouse by hiding grains and a man named Bheema Raju kills several innocent people while drunk driving. Each time Chakradhar files a case against such people they are acquitted by the court after Shankaraiah bribes the officials and provides fake alibis for everyone. Chakradhar grows frustrated with the system and when he angrily berates the judicial system he is thrown in jail for contempt. Meanwhile, while on their honeymoon Jayanti is raped and her husband Murali is killed by Prasad son of Shankaraiah’s acolyte Bhanoji Rao. Jayanti subsequently dies due to the assault. Having reached the end of his patience, Chakradhar revolts against the system and becomes the 'outlaw', "Bobbili Puli" who hunts down anti-social elements. Alarmed by this, the government appoints a special officer, Gopinath, to capture Chakradhar. Gopinath reaches out to Chakradhar requesting him to surrender and assures him that justice will prevail. However, Chakradhar refuses to stop until his mission is completed. To lure out Chakradhar, Prasad murders Jyothi. This plan succeeds, but it backfires on Prasad as Chakradhar kills him and his father Bhanoji Rao. Finally, he confronts Shankaraiah and finds out that not only is Shankaraiah his father, but he is also the murderer of his mother Annapurna. Chakradhar kills Shankaraiah before surrendering to the police. During his trial, Chakradhar expresses his disgust with the existing system including how the government, judiciary, and law and order operates. He pleads with the people to work to actively reform the system. At the end of his trial, Chakradhar is judged to be guilty and is sentenced to death.
Cast edit
- N. T. Rama Rao as Major Chakradhar
- Sridevi as Vijaya
- Rao Gopal Rao as Bhanoji Rao
- Satyanarayana as Acharya Shankaraiah / Satyam
- Allu Ramalingaiah as Bobbili Pilli
- Murali Mohan as Murali
- Prabhakar Reddy as Dr. Rao
- Jaggayya as Inspector Gopinath
- Prasad Babu as Prasad Babu
- Raja as Raja
- Bob Christo as Goon
- Mikkilineni as I.G.
- Mukkamala as Advocate Krishna Murthy
- Rajanala as Rajanala
- Dhulipala as Judge
- Raavi Kondala Rao as Kondala Rao
- Tyagaraju as S.P.
- Vankayala Satyanarayana as Army Officer
- Telephone Satyanarayana as Army Officer
- Chalapathi Rao as Inspector
- Ch. Krishna Murthy as Inspector Krishna Murthy
- Bheema Raju as Bheema Raju
- Jagga Rao as Goon
- Jayachitra as Jyothi
- Ambika as Jayanthi
- Subhashini as item number
- Vijaya Lalitha as item number
- Jyothi Lakshmi as item number
- Jayamalini as item number
- Pushpalatha as Annapurnamma
- Jaya Vijaya as Nurse
- Jayaseela
- Shyamala
Soundtrack edit
| Bobbili Puli | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 32:36 | |||
| Label | SEA Records | |||
| Producer | J. V. Raghavulu | |||
| J. V. Raghavulu chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music composed by J. V. Raghavulu. All songs are evergreen blockbusters. Music released by SEA Records Audio Company.
| S.No | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Adi Okkato Number Bus" | Veturi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 5:13 |
| 2 | "Thella Cheeralo" | Dasari Narayana Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 4:36 |
| 3 | Yeddemante | "Veturi" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 4:41 |
| 4 | "Janani Janmabhoomicha" | Dasari Narayana Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:43 |
| 5 | "Sambhavam" | Dasari Narayana Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:02 |
| 6 | "O Subba Rao" | Dasari Narayana Rao | P. Susheela, Vani Jayaram | 8:21 |
Reception edit
The film had 2 direct 175-day runs, 15 direct 100-day centers and 39 100-days centers including shift, movie collected around 72 Lakhs gross collections in its first week and in full run around 3.5 crores gross.[2][3] The film also reportedly served as a political tool for NTR, who had started his campaign to become chief minister, and has been attributed as a factor for his victory.[3]
In a 2020 review, Roktim Rajpal of the Deccan Herald praised the film's music, acting and screenplay.[4]
References edit
- ^ "Remembering Dasari Narayan Rao: Films That Celebrate His Legacy". News18. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ CineGoer.com - Box-Office Records And Collections - Silver Jubilee Films Of NTR Archived 16 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Bobbili Puli@39 Years: 39 ఏళ్ల ఎన్టీఆర్, దాసరి నారాయణ రావుల సంచలన చిత్రం 'బొబ్బిలి పులి'.. సాధించిన రికార్డులు." News18 (in Telugu). 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Rajpal, Roktim (2 May 2020). "'Bobbili Puli' retro review: This Sr NTR starrer is a classic actioner". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
External links edit
- Bobbili Puli at IMDb
