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{{Short description|2003 Telugu film by K. Raghavendra Rao}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Gangotri
| image = Gangotri film poster.jpg
| caption =
| director = [[K. Raghavendra Rao]]
| producer = [[C. Aswini Dutt]] [[Allu Aravind]] {{small|(Presenter)}}
| writer = '''Story & Screenplay''': Chinni Krishna '''Dialogues''': Viswanath
| starring = [[Allu Arjun]] Aditi Agarwal [[Prakash Raj]] [[Suman (actor)|Suman]]
| music = [[M.M. Keeravani]]
| cinematography = [[Chota K. Naidu]]
| editing = [[Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao]]
| studio = [[Geetha Arts#Sri Raghavendra Movie Corporation and United Producers (Dutt, Aravind, Raghavendra Rao)|United Producers]]
| released = {{Film date|2003|03|28|df=y}}
| runtime = 141 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| gross = 
}}

'''''Gangotri''''' is a 2003 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language drama film directed by [[K. Raghavendra Rao]], marking his 100th directorial venture. The film was produced by [[C. Aswini Dutt|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]].<ref name=":0" />

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 ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Allu Arjun]] as Simhadri
** [[Teja Sajja|Master Teja]] as Young Simhadri
*Aditi Agarwal as Gangotri (Voice by [[Sunitha Upadrashta|Sunitha]])
**[[Kavya Kalyanram|Baby Kavya]] as Young Gangotri
*[[Prakash Raj]] as Neelakantam Naidu
*[[Suman (actor)|Suman]] as Narasimha
*[[Seetha (actress)|Seetha]] as Simhadri's mother
*[[Pragathi (actress)|Pragathi]] as Tulasi
*[[Telangana Shakuntala]] as Durgamma
*[[Brahmanandam]] as Hindi Lecturer
*[[Sunil (actor)|Sunil]] as Exam Invigilator
*[[Tanikella Bharani]] as Anjaneya Sastri
*[[M. S. Narayana]]
*[[Subbaraya Sarma]]
*[[Amanchi Venkata Subrahmanyam|A.V.S.]]
*[[Banerjee (actor)|Banerjee]]
*Sobha
}}

== 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=20 September 2002 |title=Gangotri team leaves for Gangotri |url=https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news228.html |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Idlebrain.com}}</ref>

For this milestone project, Raghavendra Rao selected the [[Himalayas]], particularly [[Gangotri]], as the location for the film’s opening shot and several pivotal scenes.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":1" /> The "Ganga" song was shot at Gangotri starting from 25 September 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2002 |title=Sirivennela pens a Ganga song for Gangotri |url=https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news228.html |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Idlebrain.com}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2002 |title=Allu Arjun Gangotri details |url=https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news228.html |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Idlebrain.com}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==

{{Infobox album
| name = Gangotri
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 16 February 2003
| recorded = 2003
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]
| length = 30:41
| label = [[Aditya Music]]
| producer = M. M. Keeravani
| prev_title = [[Jism (2003 film)|Jism]]
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = [[Saaya (2003 film)|Saaya]]
| next_year = 2003
}}

The music was composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]] and released on [[Aditya Music]] label.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gangothri – All Songs – Download or Listen Free – Saavn |date=16 February 2003 |url=https://www.saavn.com/album/gangothri/TaaVQ9rZgp4_ |access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref> The audio launch was held on 17 February 2003 at [[Annapurna Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Audio Function of Gangotri|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/gangotriaudio.html|work=[[Idlebrain.com]]|date=17 February 2003|author=Jeevi|access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/audio/areviews/gangotri.html|title=Audio review of Gangotri - Good but not great|work=Idlebrain.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228031937/https://www.idlebrain.com/audio/areviews/gangotri.html|archive-date=28 February 2003|access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track-List
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 30:41
| title1 = Nuvvu Nenu
| lyrics1 = [[Chandrabose (lyricist)|Chandrabose]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Malavika (singer)|Malavika]]
| length1 = 4:51
| title2 = Oka Thotalo
| lyrics2 = Chandrabose
| extra2 = [[S. P. B. Charan]], Malavika
| length2 = 3:54
| title3 = Vallanki Pitta
| lyrics3 = Chandrabose
| extra3 = [[Kousalya (singer)|Kousalya]], D. Aiswarya
| length3 = 3:45
| title4 = Railu Bandi
| lyrics4 = Chandrabose
| extra4 = S. P. B. Charan, Srivardhini
| length4 = 3:29
| title5 = Mavayyadi Mogalthooru
| lyrics5 = Chandrabose
| extra5 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], [[Smita]]
| length5 = 4:29
| title6 = Ganga
| lyrics6 =Chandrabose
| extra6 = S. P. B. Charan, Sunitha Upadrashta
| length6 = 4:16
| title7 = Jevana Vahini
| lyrics7 = [[Veturi]]
| extra7 = M. M. Keeravani, [[Ganga Sitharasu|Ganga]], [[Kalpana Raghavendar|Kalpana]]
| length7 = 5:57
|all_writing=|title8=|length8=|title9=|length9=|title10=|length10=|title11=|length11=|title12=|length12=|title13=|length13=|title14=|length14=|title15=|length15=|title16=|length16=|title17=|length17=|title18=|length18=|title19=|length19=|title20=|length20=}}

== 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".<ref>{{cite web|first=Gudipoodi|last=Srihari|author-link=Gudipoodi Srihari|title=Centurion makes a mark|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mrg-gangotri.html|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref> Jeevi of ''[[Idlebrain.com]]'' rated the film three out of five stars and wrote, "Over all its an average film".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Gangotri|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-gangotri.html|work=Idlebrain.com|date=28 March 2003|author=Jeevi|access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|title=Gangothri|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/gangothri-review-telugu-12981573.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408091459/http://www.sify.com/movies/gangothri-review-telugu-12981573.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2014|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* [[Allu Arjun]] won the Nandi Award for Best Debut Hero
* [[Allu Arjun]] won the Santosham Best Young Performers Award
* Allu Arjun won the [[CineMAA Awards#CineMAA Award for Best Male Debut|CineMAA Award for Best Male Debut]]
* [[Prakash Raj]] won the [[Nandi Award for Best Villain]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0340122|Gangotri}}

{{K. Raghavendra Rao}}

[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:2003 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic musical films]]
[[Category:Indian teen romance films]]
[[Category:2003 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:2000s romantic musical films]]
[[Category:2000s teen romance films]]
[[Category:Cross-dressing in Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Raghavendra Rao]]
[[Category:Geetha Arts films]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films set in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Uttarakhand Police]]
[[Category:2003 musical films]]

Gangotri (2003 film) - Revision history

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