Vetagadu (transl. Hunter) is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language action film, produced by M. Arjuna Raju and K. Sivarama Raju under the Roja Movies banner and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Sridevi, with music composed by Chakravarthy. The film was remade in Hindi as Nishana (1980). Both movies were made under the same banner and by the same director.[1]
| Vetagadu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Raghavendra Rao |
| Written by | Jandhyala (story / dialogues) |
| Produced by | M. Arjuna Raju K. Sivarama Raju |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Sridevi |
| Cinematography | K. S. Prakash |
| Edited by | Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao |
| Music by | Chakravarthy |
Production company | Roja Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 149 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot edit
Ananda Bhupathi and his wife Gayatri Devi belong to a rich and royal dynasty. Ananda Bhupathi constructs a huge palace in the middle of a forest and on the next day, during the palace opening ceremony Gruhapravesam, their Diwanji Sivanandam tries to kidnap Gayatri Devi for an ancestral Rajkamal necklace which is always worn by Gayatri Devi. This necklace is precious and expensive. Gayatri Devi somehow escapes from him. She secretly gives the necklace to an Adivasi Koya Dora and tells him to put the necklace on their goddess statue and to never give it to anyone until she returns. Kalyana Gajapathi, who belongs to another royal dynasty, is a close friend to Ananda Bhupathi, who tries to save Gayatri Devi, but he is brutally killed by Diwanji. The Diwan creates a story that Kalyana Gajapathi has taken away Gayatri Devi for the Rajkamal necklace. This leads to a royal feud between the families. After twenty-five years Roja, daughter of Ananda Bhupathi, and Raja, the son of Kalyana Gajapathi, meet in a forest trip and fall in love with each other. But as her father Ananda Bhupathi learns that he is the son of Kalyana Gajapathi he disagrees with the marriage proposal. The rest of the story is about how Raja proves his father's innocence.
Cast edit
- N. T. Rama Rao as Raja
- Sridevi as Roja
- Rao Gopal Rao as Sivanandam
- Satyanarayana as Hari
- Allu Ramalingaiah as Kanda
- Jaggayya as Ananda Bhupati
- Kanta Rao as Kalyana Gajapati
- Nagesh as Ponnu Swamy
- Chalapathi Rao as Tribal leader
- Chidatala Appa Rao as Godugu
- Pandari Bai as Ayah
- Pushpalata as Gayatri Devi
- Mamata as Dhillu
- Jayamalini in item number
Production edit
The producers were not convinced with K. Raghavendra Rao's choice of the female lead being Sridevi because she was "very young". After Rao convinced N. T. Rama Rao, Sridevi was cast.[2]
Soundtrack edit
| Vetagadu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Genre | Filmi | |||
| Length | 28:41 | |||
| Label | SAREGAMA Music | |||
| Producer | Chakravarthy | |||
| Chakravarthy chronology | ||||
| ||||
The music was composed by Chakravarthy. Lyrics were written by Veturi.[3] The song "Aaku Chaatu" became hugely popular and was remixed in Allari Ramudu.[4]
| S. no | Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aaku Chaatu Pinde Tadise" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:50 |
| 2 | "Bangaru Baathuguddu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,P. Susheela | 3:27 |
| 3 | "Puttintollu Tharimesaaru" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:32 |
| 4 | "Jaablitho Cheppanaa" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:28 |
| 5 | "Konda Meedha Chandamaama" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 6:31 |
| 6 | "Ososi Pillakodipetta" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 4:29 |
| 7 | "Idhi Puvullu Pooyani" | S. Janaki | 3:24 |
References edit
- ^ "'Durgamati': 4 reasons why remake culture is a boon for Bollywood". Deccan Herald. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ kavirayani, suresh (26 February 2018). "Colleagues remember Sridevi's 'astounding talent'". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ "Vetagadu (1979)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (13 December 2012). "Tollywood stars dance to daddy's tunes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
