Alluri Seetarama Raju (film)
Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao from a screenplay by Maharadhi Tripuraneni. Starring Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala and Jaggayya, the film is produced by Padmalaya Studios marking the 100th film of Krishna.[1] The film depicts the life of Alluri Sitarama Raju, an Indian revolutionary, who is known for his role in the Rampa Rebellion of 1922–24. Alluri with a band of farmers, tribal leaders and other sympathizers fought an armed rebellion against the British Raj who violated their land rights and used them for forced labor.
Alluri Seetarama Raju | |
---|---|
Directed by | V. Ramachandra Rao |
Produced by | G. Hanumantha Rao Krishna (presenter) |
Written by | Tripuraneni Maharadhi |
Starring | Krishna Vijaya Nirmala Jaggayya |
Music by | P. Adinarayana Rao |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 187 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Telugu |
Alluri Seetarama Raju is considered to be South India's first Cinemascope film.[1] The film won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for revolutionary compositions rendered by Telugu Marxist poet and composer Sri Sri. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film, and was screened at the International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section, and Tashkent Film Festival. The film ran for 175 days and ended up becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.[2]
Cast
- Krishna as Alluri Sitarama Raju
- Jaggayya as Rutherford Scott Coward
- Vijaya Nirmala as Seeta
- Chandra Mohan
- Sridhar
- M. Balaiah as Aggi Raju
- Kanta Rao as Padalu
- Pandari Bai
- Dr. Prabhakar Reddy as Gam Malludora
- Rajababu
- Manjula
- Rajasree
- K. V. Chalam
- Gummadi Venkateswara Rao as Gamgantam Dhora
- Tyagaraaju as Sebastian
- Rao Gopal Rao
Production
D. L. Narayana, producer of Devadasu (1953), initially sought to make a film based on Alluri Seetarama Raju featuring Sobhan Babu as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given story to Krishna who was willing to produce it. Filming took place around Chintapalle forest of Andhra Pradesh.[3]
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.[4]
- Viplavam Maraninchadu - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Jamaira Jaru - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Eswari
- Vasthadu Naa Raju - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Padmalayam - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Telugu Veera - Ghantasala
Reception
Critical Reception
The film received positive review from Andhra Patrika dated 05 May 1974.[5]
Box office
The film ran for 175 days.[6] It was the first film to a distributor share of ₹1 crore (equivalent to ₹24 crore or US$3.4 million in 2019).[2] Without any romantic song in between hero and heroine, it was the only Telugu film that became an industry hit in those days. After three years it surpassed the collections record of ANR's "Dasara Bullodu". No other Telugu film till NTR "Adavi Ramudu" in 1977 this film's collection record was not surpassed. This was the first and only Telugu film till today which had a run of more than 50 days in a theatre in London.
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Lyrics - Sri Sri for "Telugu Veera Levara"[3]
Legacy
The film was screened at the Patriotic Film Festival held at Coimbatore in February 2017, jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defense, commemorating 70th Indian Independence Day.[7]
References
- "CineGoer.com - Box-Office Records And Collections - Krishna's 100th Film Alluri Seetarama Raju". Cinegoer. 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007.
- Pecheti, Prakash (12 May 2019). "A tribute to 'Manyam Veerudu'". Telangana Today. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Kavirayani, Suresh (1 May 2014). "Krishna's best movie till date". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- https://www.hungama.com/album/alluri-seetharama-raju/1930430/
- "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అల్లూరి సీత రామ రాజు" [Film review: Alluri Seetharama Raju]. Andhra Patrika (in Telugu). 5 May 1974. p. 4.
- "Independence Day Special: Most patriotic films in Telugu cinema". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- "Directorate of Film Festivals". dff.nic.in. Retrieved 29 July 2020.