Alluri Seetarama Raju (film): Difference between revisions

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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
  | name          = Alluri Seetarama Raju
| image          = Alluri Seetarama Raju film poster.jpg
  | image          = Alluri Seetarama Raju poster.jpg
| caption        = Poster
  | caption        =
| director      = V. Ramachandra Rao
  | director      = V. Ramachandra Rao
| producer      = G. Hanumantha Rao<br />[[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] <small>'''(presenter)'''</small>
  | producer      = G. Hanumantha Rao<br />[[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] <small>'''(presenter)'''</small>
| writer        = [[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]]
  | writer        = [[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]]
| starring      = [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]]<br />[[Vijaya Nirmala]]<br />[[Jaggayya]]
  | based_on      = [[Personal life|Life]] of [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
| music          = [[P. Adinarayana Rao]]
  | starring      = [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]]<br />[[Vijaya Nirmala]]<br />[[Jaggayya]]
| cinematography = [[V. S. R. Swamy]]
  | music          = [[P. Adinarayana Rao]]
| studio        = [[Padmalaya Studios]]
  | cinematography =
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1974|05|01}}
  | editing        =
| runtime        = 187 minutes
  | studio        = [[Padmalaya Studios]]
| country        = India
  | distributor    =
| language      = Telugu
  | released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1974|05|01}}
| budget        = <!--Must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.-->
  | runtime        = 187 minutes
  | language      = Telugu
  | country        = India
  | budget        =
}}
}}


'''''Alluri Seetarama Raju''''' is a 1974 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[action film]] directed by V. Ramachandra Rao from a screenplay by Maharadhi Tripuraneni. Starring [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]], [[Vijaya Nirmala]] and [[Jaggayya]], the film is produced by [[Padmalaya Studios]] marking the 100th film of Krishna.<ref name="cinegoer.com" /> 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 labour.
'''''Alluri Seetarama Raju''''' is a 1974 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[action film]] directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by [[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]]. The film stars [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]], [[Vijaya Nirmala]], and [[Jaggayya]] and was produced by [[Padmalaya Studios]]. Notably, it was Krishna's 100th film as an actor and the first Telugu film to be entirely made in [[CinemaScope|Cinemascope]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=5 Technological firsts introduced by Superstar Krishna to Telugu cinema |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/5-technological-firsts-superstar-krishna-introduced-to-telugu-cinema/photostory/95528732.cms?picid=95529317 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526161716/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/5-technological-firsts-superstar-krishna-introduced-to-telugu-cinema/photostory/95528732.cms?picid=95529317 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Times of India}}</ref>


''Alluri Seetarama Raju'' is considered to be [[South India]]'s first [[CinemaScope]] film.<ref name="cinegoer.com">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2007 |title=Krishna's 100th Film Alluri Seetarama Raju |url=http://www.cinegoer.com/alluriseetaramaraju.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608162320/http://www.cinegoer.com/alluriseetaramaraju.htm |archive-date=8 June 2007 |website=CineGoer}}</ref> The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for revolutionary compositions rendered by Telugu Marxist poet and composer [[Sri Sri (writer)|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 [[List of highest-grossing Telugu films|highest-grossing Telugu film]] of the year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Pecheti |first=Prakash |date=12 May 2019 |title=A tribute to 'Manyam Veerudu' |url=https://telanganatoday.com/a-tribute-to-manyam-veerudu |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=Telangana Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
The film portrays the life of [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]], a prominent Indian revolutionary who led the [[Rampa Rebellion of 1922|Rampa Rebellion]] against British colonial rule from 1922 until his capture and execution in 1924. The narrative highlights Raju’s leadership and the rebellion's impact against repressive British legislation.<ref name="cinegoer.com">{{Cite web |date=7 May 2007 |title=Krishna's 100th Film Alluri Seetarama Raju |url=http://www.cinegoer.com/alluriseetaramaraju.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608162320/http://www.cinegoer.com/alluriseetaramaraju.htm |archive-date=8 June 2007 |access-date=11 June 2007 |website=CineGoer}}</ref>
 
''Alluri Seetarama Raju'' received critical acclaim, winning the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for the song "Telugu Veera Levara," written by the Telugu poet [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]]. It also won the [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] and was showcased at the [[International Film Festival of India]] and the Tashkent Film Festival. The film was an industry hit, running for 175 days, and became the first Telugu film to collect a [[Box office#Distributor rentals|distributor share]] of {{Indian Rupee}}1 [[crore]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Pecheti |first=Prakash |date=12 May 2019 |title=A tribute to 'Manyam Veerudu' |url=https://telanganatoday.com/a-tribute-to-manyam-veerudu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326100645/https://telanganatoday.com/a-tribute-to-manyam-veerudu |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=[[Telangana Today]]}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
{{No plot|date=October 2021}}
The film depicts the life of Alluri Rama Raju, a staunch opponent of British rule from a young age. Rejecting British education, Rama Raju immerses himself in traditional Indian yogic practices. As he travels across the country, he becomes aware of the suffering and issues faced by the people under British rule and renounces non-violence.
 
Rama Raju and Sita fall in love and obtain the consent of their elders for marriage. However, Rama Raju, determined to fight for national freedom, informs Sita that he will return to celibacy and dedicate himself to the cause of India's liberation. Unable to accept this, Sita commits suicide. Following this, Rama Raju adopts the name Sitarama Raju.
 
Moved by the exploitation and plundering of natural resources in the forest regions, Sitarama Raju incites rebellion among the local people. With the help of leaders like Ganta Dora and Mallu Dora, he organizes a resistance against the British authorities. He attacks police stations, destroys false case documents, and seizes weapons.
 
Despite several attempts by the British government to capture Sitarama Raju, the revolutionary forces achieve victories. However, internal conflicts weaken the movement. British Collector Rutherford escalates his attacks on villages in the forest region, torturing the people and ultimately lures Sitarama Raju out of hiding. Though Rutherford and other officials are personally impressed by Sitarama Raju's sincerity and integrity, they execute him as part of their duty.
 
As Sitarama Raju’s death is announced, he proclaims that killing one Sitarama Raju will only give rise to thousands more. The film concludes with his martyrdom, emphasizing the enduring spirit of the freedom struggle.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alluri Sitaramaraju |url=https://indiancine.ma/QBM/info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527104917/https://indiancine.ma/QBM/info |archive-date=27 May 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
{{Cast listing|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] as [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
* [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] as [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
* [[Ramesh Babu as Young Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
**[[Ramesh Babu]] as Young Alluri Sitarama Raju
* [[Jaggayya]] as Rutherford Scott Coward
* [[Jaggayya]] as Rutherford Scott Coward
* [[Rajanala Kaleswara Rao|Rajanala]] as Major Goodall
* [[Vijaya Nirmala]] as Seeta
* [[Vijaya Nirmala]] as Seeta
* [[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]]
* [[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]] as Govindu
* Sridhar
* [[Sreedhar]] as Tirupathayya
* [[M. Balayya]] as Aggi Raju
* [[M. Balayya]] as Aggi Raju
* [[Kanta Rao]] as Padalu
* [[Kanta Rao]] as Padalu
* [[Pandari Bai]]
* [[Pandari Bai]]
* [[Mikkilineni (actor)|Mikkilineni]] as Seetha's father
* [[Dr. Prabhakar Reddy]] as [[Gam Malludora]]
* [[Dr. Prabhakar Reddy]] as [[Gam Malludora]]
* [[Raja Babu (actor)|Rajababu]]
* [[Raja Babu (actor)|Rajababu]]
Line 48: Line 57:
* [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as Gamgantam Dhora
* [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as Gamgantam Dhora
* Tyagaraaju as Sebastian
* Tyagaraaju as Sebastian
* [[Ram Mohan (actor)|Ram Mohan]] as Venkatapathi, Sitarama Raju's brother-in-law
* [[Rao Gopal Rao]]
* [[Rao Gopal Rao]]
* [[Allu Ramalingiah]]
}}
}}


== Production ==
== Production ==
D. L. Narayana, producer of [[Devadasu (1953 film)|''Devadasu'']] (1953), initially sought to make a film based on [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]] featuring [[Sobhan Babu]] as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given story to [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] who was willing to produce it. Filming took place around [[Chintapalle, Visakhapatnam district|Chintapalle forest]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=1 May 2014 |title=Krishna's best movie till date |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140430/entertainment-tollywood/article/krishna%E2%80%99s-best-movie-till-date |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Development and casting ===
D. L. Narayana, producer of [[Devadasu (1953 film)|''Devadasu'']] (1953), initially sought to make a film based on [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]] featuring [[Sobhan Babu]] as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given the story to [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] who was willing to produce it thus becoming actor's 100th film as an actor. Incidentally it was Tripuraneni Maharadhi who wrote the script for producer D.L. Narayana too.<ref name=":0" /> [[N. T. Rama Rao]] also planned to make a film on it but dropped after he felt the subject was too dry and would not work commercially.<ref name="asr">{{Cite web |date=Sep 18, 2006 |title=Maharadhi on ASR |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/movies/retro_alluriseetharamaraju_maharadhi.php?show_comments=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119111035/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/movies/retro_alluriseetharamaraju_maharadhi.php?show_comments=true#comments |archive-date=19 November 2006 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]]}}</ref>
 
According to Maharadhi, the casting was done thorough discussions that involved everyone concerned with the project. [[S. V. Ranga Rao]] was originally for the role of Ghantam Dora but he got hospitalised before the film went to sets, he was replaced by [[M. Balayya]].<ref name="asr" />
=== Filming ===
Filming took place around [[Chintapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju district|Chintapalli forest]] and Krishnadevi Peta forest of [[Andhra Pradesh]] around 60 days with 15 days being shot in [[Chennai|Madras]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=1 May 2014 |title=Krishna's best movie till date |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140430/entertainment-tollywood/article/krishna%E2%80%99s-best-movie-till-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502040622/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140430/entertainment-tollywood/article/krishna%E2%80%99s-best-movie-till-date |archive-date=2 May 2014 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> Ramachandra Rao died after completing one third of the film. The rest of the film was directed by Krishna; [[K. S. R. Das]] handled the war and fight scenes.<ref name="asr" /> The film's cinematographer V. S. R. Swamy who "managed the whole movie with just two lenses, one for closeups and another for long shots". Since this technique was absolutely untested before, the makers had to import the necessary equipment like Aeriflax and Michell cameras, 45&nbsp;mm & 70&nbsp;mm lenses from [[Kamal Amrohi]] who used them to can ''[[Pakeezah]]'' (1972).<ref name="asr" />


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
Soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alluri Seetharama Raju |url=https://www.hungama.com/album/alluri-seetharama-raju/1930430/ |access-date=31 December 2020 |website=Hungama}}</ref>
Soundtrack was composed by [[P. Adinarayana Rao]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alluri Seetharama Raju |url=https://www.hungama.com/album/alluri-seetharama-raju/1930430/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804032233/https://www.hungama.com/album/alluri-seetharama-raju/1930430/ |archive-date=4 August 2021 |access-date=31 December 2020 |website=Hungama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alluri Sitaramaraju (1974)-Song_Booklet. |url=https://indiancine.ma/documents/CBP/info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527110455/https://indiancine.ma/documents/CBP/info |archive-date=27 May 2024 |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
*"Viplavam Maraninchadu" – [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
*"Viplavam Maraninchadu" – [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
*"Jamaira Jaru" – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[L. R. Eswari]]
*"Jamaira Jaru" – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[L. R. Eswari]]
*"Vasthadu Naa Raju" – P. Suseela
*"Vasthadu Naa Raju" – P. Suseela
*"Padmalayam" – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
*"Padmalayam" – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
*"Telugu Veera" – [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala, V. Ramakrishna]]
*"Telugu Veera" – [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]], [[V. Ramakrishna]]


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


=== Critical reception ===
=== Critical reception ===
The film received a positive review from ''[[Andhra Patrika]]'' dated 5 May 1974.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 1974 |title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అల్లూరి సీత రామ రాజు |language=te |trans-title=Film review: Alluri Seetharama Raju |page=4 |work=[[Andhra Patrika]] |url=http://pressacademyarchives.ap.nic.in/newspaperframe.aspx?bookid=65182}}</ref>
The film received critical acclaim and became a cult classic of Telugu cinema. The film received a positive review from ''[[Andhra Patrika]]'' dated 5 May 1974.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 1974 |title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అల్లూరి సీత రామ రాజు |trans-title=Film review: Alluri Seetharama Raju |url=http://pressacademyarchives.ap.nic.in/newspaperframe.aspx?bookid=65182 |work=[[Andhra Patrika]] |pages=4 |language=te}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref>


=== Box office ===
=== Box office ===
The film ran for 175 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Day Special: Most patriotic films in Telugu cinema |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/independence-day-special-most-patriotic-films-in-telugu-cinema/photostory/65403917.cms |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> It was the first film to a distributor share of {{INRConvert|1|c|lk=on|year=1974}}.<ref name=":1" />
The film ran for 200 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Day Special: Most patriotic films in Telugu cinema |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/independence-day-special-most-patriotic-films-in-telugu-cinema/photostory/65403917.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729073546/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/independence-day-special-most-patriotic-films-in-telugu-cinema/photostory/65403917.cms |archive-date=29 July 2020 |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> It was the first film to collect a distributor share of {{INRConvert|1|c|lk=on|year=1974}}.<ref name=":1" />


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
Line 74: Line 90:
* [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] – [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]] for ''"Telugu Veera Levara"''<ref name=":0" />
* [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] – [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]] for ''"Telugu Veera Levara"''<ref name=":0" />


;[[Nandi Awards]]<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>
;[[Nandi Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008) |trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008) |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2015 |access-date=21 August 2020 |publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film - Gold]] - G. Hanumantha Rao
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film – Gold]] – G. Hanumantha Rao


== Legacy ==
== 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 (India)|Ministry of Defense]], commemorating 70th [[Independence Day (India)|Indian Independence Day]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Directorate of Film Festivals |url=http://dff.nic.in/IDFF.aspx#:~:text=To%20mark%20the%2070%20years,2016%20at%20Siri%20Fort%20Auditorium |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=dff.nic.in}}</ref>
The film was screened at the ''Patriotic Film Festival'' held at [[Coimbatore]] in 2017, jointly presented by the Indian [[Directorate of Film Festivals]] and [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]], commemorating the 70th [[Independence Day (India)|Indian Independence Day]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Series of Patriotic Film Festivals |url=https://www.dff.nfdcindia.com/IDFF.aspx |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625134811/https://www.dff.nfdcindia.com/IDFF.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[RRR (film)|''RRR'']] (2022), a fictional film depicting Alluri Sitarama Raju
*''[[RRR]]'' (2022), a fictional film depicting Alluri Sitarama Raju and his contemporary [[Komaram Bheem]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 89: Line 105:
* {{IMDb title|0262223}}
* {{IMDb title|0262223}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974 Film)}}
[[Category:1970s historical action films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1970s biographical films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1974 Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:1974 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:1974 films]]
[[Category:Biographical action films]]
[[Category:Biographical action films]]
[[Category:Indian historical action films]]
[[Category:Films about Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
[[Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:Films directed by V. Ramachandra Rao]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1920s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1920s]]
[[Category:British Empire war films]]
[[Category:Films set in the British Raj]]
[[Category:Films set in the British Raj]]
[[Category:1974 films]]
[[Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:1970s biographical films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:1970s action films]]
[[Category:Indian historical action films]]
[[Category:Films about Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
[[Category:Padmalaya Studios films]]

Latest revision as of 01:52, 4 March 2026


Alluri Seetarama Raju
Poster
Directed byV. Ramachandra Rao
Produced byG. Hanumantha Rao
Krishna (presenter)
Written byTripuraneni Maharadhi
StarringKrishna
Vijaya Nirmala
Jaggayya
Music byP. Adinarayana Rao
CinematographyV. S. R. Swamy
Production
company
Release date
  • 1 May 1974 (1974-05-01)
Running time
187 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Tripuraneni Maharadhi. The film stars Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala, and Jaggayya and was produced by Padmalaya Studios. Notably, it was Krishna's 100th film as an actor and the first Telugu film to be entirely made in Cinemascope.[1]

The film portrays the life of Alluri Sitarama Raju, a prominent Indian revolutionary who led the Rampa Rebellion against British colonial rule from 1922 until his capture and execution in 1924. The narrative highlights Raju’s leadership and the rebellion's impact against repressive British legislation.[2]

Alluri Seetarama Raju received critical acclaim, winning the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song "Telugu Veera Levara," written by the Telugu poet Sri Sri. It also won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and was showcased at the International Film Festival of India and the Tashkent Film Festival. The film was an industry hit, running for 175 days, and became the first Telugu film to collect a distributor share of ₹1 crore.[3]

Plot[edit | edit source]

The film depicts the life of Alluri Rama Raju, a staunch opponent of British rule from a young age. Rejecting British education, Rama Raju immerses himself in traditional Indian yogic practices. As he travels across the country, he becomes aware of the suffering and issues faced by the people under British rule and renounces non-violence.

Rama Raju and Sita fall in love and obtain the consent of their elders for marriage. However, Rama Raju, determined to fight for national freedom, informs Sita that he will return to celibacy and dedicate himself to the cause of India's liberation. Unable to accept this, Sita commits suicide. Following this, Rama Raju adopts the name Sitarama Raju.

Moved by the exploitation and plundering of natural resources in the forest regions, Sitarama Raju incites rebellion among the local people. With the help of leaders like Ganta Dora and Mallu Dora, he organizes a resistance against the British authorities. He attacks police stations, destroys false case documents, and seizes weapons.

Despite several attempts by the British government to capture Sitarama Raju, the revolutionary forces achieve victories. However, internal conflicts weaken the movement. British Collector Rutherford escalates his attacks on villages in the forest region, torturing the people and ultimately lures Sitarama Raju out of hiding. Though Rutherford and other officials are personally impressed by Sitarama Raju's sincerity and integrity, they execute him as part of their duty.

As Sitarama Raju’s death is announced, he proclaims that killing one Sitarama Raju will only give rise to thousands more. The film concludes with his martyrdom, emphasizing the enduring spirit of the freedom struggle.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Source[4]

Production[edit | edit source]

Development and casting[edit | edit source]

D. L. Narayana, producer of Devadasu (1953), initially sought to make a film based on Alluri Sitarama Raju featuring Sobhan Babu as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given the story to Krishna who was willing to produce it thus becoming actor's 100th film as an actor. Incidentally it was Tripuraneni Maharadhi who wrote the script for producer D.L. Narayana too.[5] N. T. Rama Rao also planned to make a film on it but dropped after he felt the subject was too dry and would not work commercially.[6]

According to Maharadhi, the casting was done thorough discussions that involved everyone concerned with the project. S. V. Ranga Rao was originally for the role of Ghantam Dora but he got hospitalised before the film went to sets, he was replaced by M. Balayya.[6]

Filming[edit | edit source]

Filming took place around Chintapalli forest and Krishnadevi Peta forest of Andhra Pradesh around 60 days with 15 days being shot in Madras.[5] Ramachandra Rao died after completing one third of the film. The rest of the film was directed by Krishna; K. S. R. Das handled the war and fight scenes.[6] The film's cinematographer V. S. R. Swamy who "managed the whole movie with just two lenses, one for closeups and another for long shots". Since this technique was absolutely untested before, the makers had to import the necessary equipment like Aeriflax and Michell cameras, 45 mm & 70 mm lenses from Kamal Amrohi who used them to can Pakeezah (1972).[6]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.[7][8]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

The film received critical acclaim and became a cult classic of Telugu cinema. The film received a positive review from Andhra Patrika dated 5 May 1974.[9]

Box office[edit | edit source]

The film ran for 200 days.[10] It was the first film to collect a distributor share of ₹1 crore (equivalent to ₹24 crore or US$3.4 million in 2019).[3]

Awards[edit | edit source]

National Film Awards
Nandi Awards[11]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The film was screened at the Patriotic Film Festival held at Coimbatore in 2017, jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defence, commemorating the 70th Indian Independence Day.[12]

See also[edit | edit source]

  • RRR (2022), a fictional film depicting Alluri Sitarama Raju and his contemporary Komaram Bheem

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "5 Technological firsts introduced by Superstar Krishna to Telugu cinema". Times of India. 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ↑ "Krishna's 100th Film Alluri Seetarama Raju". CineGoer. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pecheti, Prakash (12 May 2019). "A tribute to 'Manyam Veerudu'". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Alluri Sitaramaraju". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 26 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kavirayani, Suresh (1 May 2014). "Krishna's best movie till date". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Maharadhi on ASR". Telugucinema.com. 18 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Alluri Seetharama Raju". Hungama. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Alluri Sitaramaraju (1974)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అల్లూరి సీత రామ రాజు" [Film review: Alluri Seetharama Raju]. Andhra Patrika (in తెలుగు). 5 May 1974. p. 4.[dead link]
  10. ↑ "Independence Day Special: Most patriotic films in Telugu cinema". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "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)
  12. ↑ "A Series of Patriotic Film Festivals". Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]

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