Gaayam (transl. The Wound/Injury) is a 1993 Indian Telugu-language political crime thriller film, based on the 1980s Vijayawada Gang Warfare. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and story co-written by himself and Mani Ratnam, it stars Jagapathi Babu, Revathi, Urmila Matondkar and music composed by Sri.[1] Upon its release, the film became commercially successful at box-office and won six state Nandi Awards in 1993.[2] The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Desam.[3]
| Gaayam | |
|---|---|
 VCD Cover | |
| Directed by | Ram Gopal Varma |
| Written by | Posani Krishna Murali (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | Ram Gopal Varma |
| Story by | Ram Gopal Varma Mani Ratnam |
| Produced by | Yarllagada Surendra |
| Starring | Jagapathi Babu Revathi Urmila Matondkar |
| Cinematography | Rasool Ellore |
| Edited by | Shankar |
| Music by | Sri |
Production company | S. S. Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 136 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
The film is inspired by The Godfather (1972) which is based on Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather (1969).
Plot edit
The film begins with crime lord Durga, who seeks justice for the needy affected due to the failure of the law & order system. Once, a victim approaches Durga whose daughter has been molested by a few manipulators. Durga wallops them, and he is apprehended by a newly appointed cop Bharadwaj but is released in minutes. On the way, Durga notices his old flame Anitha and moves backward. During their college days, the two are lovebirds. Anitha is a journalism student and an idealist while Durga is the brother of hoodlum Mohana Krishna. She agrees to marry him provided he should never take his brother's path, which he promises to do. Meanwhile, Mohana Krishna is assassinated by his arch-rival Gurunarayana, a wicked corporator for political gain.
Enraged, Durga skillfully slays the assailants of the crime and gains control over the city. However, Sarkar escapes as he has been released from prison to cover up the situation. Knowing this, Anitha breaks up with him because she is against his rationalist way. As of today, Anitha is a sincere journalist who always fights to expose inequities, irregularities, and evils in society. Plus, she is linked with Bharadwaj. Gurunarayana has grown up as an MLA of the ruling party. Besides, Durga's cousin Chitra has one side of her feelings and always supports him. Now Durga also focuses on his political career, and to bar him, Gurunarayana releases Sarkar from jail. Then the power game begins between the gangs. Soon after, Sarkar attacks Durga in the film theater in which many die. It makes a severe impact on Anitha, who decides to reveal the truth. She meets Durga and tries to mend his ways, but he keeps a deaf ear. Later, she reveals her past relationship with Durga to Bharadwaj.
Currently, Durga learns the whereabouts of Sarkar and attacks him when he escapes. Durga is behind Sarkar, but he backs off while observing Bharadwaj. Simultaneously, Anitha comes to take Gurunarayana's interview regarding the chaos at the film theater. At that point, Sarkar reaches Gurunarayana's residence in front of Anitha, and Bharadwaj chases him. Gurunarayana tries to cover up the scene when a brawl arises between Bharadwaj & Gurunarayana. Anitha struggles to reveal the truth, but her editor always hinders her. Afterward, Gurunarayana plots and abducts Chitra when Durga rushes for her rescue. Therein, he is incriminated in a crime and seized. Bharadwaj is about to produce a witness against him who has been slaughtered by Gurunarayana. As a result, infuriated Bharadwaj charges Durga and imprisons him.
The next day, Gurunarayana schemes to become Chief Minister by collapsing the government, for which he conducts high religious riots that leave severe destruction. In these revolts, Bharadwaj encounters henchmen of Gurunarayana. On that note, Gurunarayana berates the department when Bharadwaj slaps him, and he seeks revenge. After facing several consequences, Anitha covers up the incident and submits it to her editor. But he turns out and surrenders all the evidence to Gurunarayana.
At present, Gurunarayana plans a self-bomb blast to gain sympathy on the eve of Ganesh Nimarjan. Alongside, the Police department receives intel regarding Gurunarayana's conspiracy, so, to impede, they free Durga and enlist his aid. Bharadwaj is assigned the task of controlling the furor at the event when Gurunarayana announces to Anitha that he intends to kill her husband. Thus, she seeks Durga's help and arrives at the ritual with Chitra. Sarkar plans the bombing from an enclosed movie theater. Durga & Bharadwaj sense it and successfully block him. Gurunarayana also enters the hideout to execute the plan when the bomb explodes at a safe distance without harming people. At last, Durga & Bharadwaj are in a safe space, Sarkar dies, and Gurunarayana is severely injured and sentenced later. Finally, the movie ends with Anitha thanking Durga, and he decides to take a new path.
Cast edit
- Jagapathi Babu as Durga
- Revathi as Anitha
- Kota Srinivasa Rao as Guru Narayan
- Sivakrishna as Inspector Bharadwaj
- Urmila Matondkar as Chitra
- Charan Raj as Mohana Krishna
- Tanikella Bharani as Lawyer Saab
- Annapoorna as Chitra's mother
- M. Balaiah as Charigaaru
- Rami Reddy as Sarkar
- Uttej as Yadgiri
- Banerjee as Banerjee
- Narsing Yadav as Narsing
- Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry as Journalist Swamy
- Gummadi
- Tarzan as Srisailam
- Narayana Rao
- Ragini
Production edit
This was the first film that Jagapathi Babu dubbed for himself.[4]
Soundtrack edit
| Gaayam | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1993 |
| Recorded | 1993 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 25:45 |
| Label | SURYA Audio |
| Producer | Sri |
Music composed by Sri. Lyrics were penned by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry. Music released on Surya Audio Company. Sound designed by Nivas
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nizamu Pori" | Mano, Chitra, Eeswar | 5:20 |
| 2. | "Niggadeesi Adugu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 2:06 |
| 3. | "Alupannadi Unda" | Chitra | 5:41 |
| 4. | "Surajyamavaleni Swarajyamendukani" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:56 |
| 5. | "Chelimeeda Chitikedu" | Mano,Chitra | 6:59 |
| Total length: | 25:45 | ||
Awards edit
Box office edit
The film's success established Jagapathi Babu as one of the popular actors in Telugu cinema.[2]
Sequel edit
After the film's success, Ram Gopal Varma and Jagapathi Babu planned to release a sequel titled Gaayam 2. Ram Gopal Varma was the producer in the sequel while Praveen Sri was the director. Vimala Raman was the heroine as Kota Srinivasa Rao again plays as the antagonist.
References edit
- ^ "Jagapathi to do 'Gaayam-2'". IndiaGlitz. 28 November 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ a b Sri (16 July 2009). "Retrospect: Gaayam (1993)". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (1 March 1996). "Cinema: Kalloori Vaasal/King/Dhesam". The Hindu. p. 27. Archived from the original on 21 December 1996. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Jagapathi Babu: Favorite Family Hero!". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015.
- ^ "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)
