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{{Short description|1976 Telugu film by Bapu}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
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| producer      = [[Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju|U. Suryanarayana Raju]]
| producer      = [[Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju|U. Suryanarayana Raju]]
| writer        = [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]]
| writer        = [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]]
| starring      = [[Krishnam Raju]]<br />[[Vanisree]]<br />[[M. Balaiah]]<br />[[Rao Gopal Rao]]<br />[[Sarathi]]<br />[[Allu Ramalingaiah]]<br />[[Sreedhar Surapaneni]]<br />[[Mukkamala]]<br />[[M. Prabhakar Reddy]]
| starring      = [[Krishnam Raju]]<br />[[Vanisree]]<br />[[M. Balaiah]]<br />[[Rao Gopal Rao]]<br />[[Sarathi (comedian)|Sarathi]]<br />[[Sreedhar Surapaneni]]<br />[[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]]<br />[[M. Prabhakar Reddy]]
| narrator      =
| narrator      =  
| music          = [[Chellapilla Satyam]]
| music          = [[Satyam (composer)|Satyam]]
| cinematography = [[V. S. R. Swamy]]<br />[[M. V. Raghu]]
| cinematography = [[V. S. R. Swamy]]<br />[[M. V. Raghu]]
| editing        = [[Mandapati Ramachandraiah]]
| editing        = Mandapati Ramachandraiah
| studio        =
| studio        = Gopikrishna Movies
| distributor    =
| released      = {{Film date|1976|05|26}}
| released      = 1976
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Telugu
| language      = Telugu
| budget        =
| budget        =  
}}
}}


'''''Bhakta Kannappa''''' ({{translation|Devotee Kannappa}}) is a 1976 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film directed by [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]]. The film is a remake of 1954 Kannada movie ''[[Bedara Kannappa]]'' starring [[Rajkumar (actor)|Rajkumar]] which was based on the life of [[Shaiva]] devotee, [[Kannappa Nayanar]].<ref>http://www.telugucinema.com/Bhakta-Kannappa-1976-Retrospective</ref>
'''''Bhakta Kannappa''''' ({{translation|Devotee Kannappa}}) is a 1976 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language film directed by [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]] and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju under the Gopikrishna Movies banner.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=20 January 2023 |title=Remembering Krishnam Raju: A look at the best films of Telugu cinema’s rebel star across decades |url=https://www.ottplay.com/photo-gallery/remembering-krishnam-raju-a-look-at-the-best-films-of-telugu-cinemas-rebel-star-across-decades/88b8459517337?photostory-2 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |quote=The film that also won the National Film Award for Best Audiography (S. P. Ramanathan)}}</ref>  The film was inspired by the 1954 Kannada movie ''[[Bedara Kannappa]]'' which was based on the life of the Shaiva devotee, [[Kannappa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/do-you-know-the-legendary-rajkumar-once-acted-in-a-telugu-movie-888722.html |title=Do you know the legendary Rajkumar once acted in a Telugu movie? |date=17 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/Bhakta-Kannappa-1976-Retrospective |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308085524/http://www.telugucinema.com/Bhakta-Kannappa-1976-Retrospective |archive-date=8 March 2016 |title=Bhakta Kannappa (1976) - Retrospective {{!}} telugucinema.com}}</ref> The film stars [[Krishnam Raju]] in the title role, along with [[Vanisree]], [[M. Balaiah]], [[Rao Gopal Rao]], [[Sarathi (comedian)|Sarathi]], and others in supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Satyam (composer)|Satyam]], with lyrics by [[Arudra]], [[C. Narayana Reddy]], and [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Bhakta Kannappa (1976) - Retrospective |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/Bhakta-Kannappa-1976-Retrospective |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308085524/http://www.telugucinema.com/Bhakta-Kannappa-1976-Retrospective |archive-date=2016-03-08 |website=[[TeluguCinema.com]]}}</ref>


==Credits==
==Plot==
[[Arjuna]] (Krishnam Raju) is reborn as Thinnadu, an atheist who is raised by a tribal lord ([[M. Prabhakar Reddy]]). Leela ([[Vanisri|Vanisree]]), the tribal lord's daughter, falls in love with Thinna, but Mallanna ([[Sreedhar]]) also loves her. Thinna defeats Mallanna in a duel and wins Leela's hand. As an atheist, Thinna refuses to bow to the village goddess and leaves the village with Leela. The story follows Thinna's transformation into a devout follower of Lord Siva, becoming the revered [[Kannappa]].


===Cast===
== Cast ==
* [[Krishnam Raju]] as [[Arjuna]]/[[Kannappa Nayanar|Kannappa]]/Thinnadu
 
* [[Vanisri]] as Neela
* [[Krishnam Raju]] in a dual role as  
**[[Arjuna]]
**[[Kannappa Nayanar|Kannappa]]/Thinnadu
* [[Vanisri]] as Leela
* [[M. Balaiah]] as  [[Lord Shiva]]
* [[M. Balaiah]] as  [[Lord Shiva]]
* [[Rao Gopal Rao]] as Kailasanatha Shastri
* [[Rao Gopal Rao]] as Kailasanatha Shastri
* [[Sarathi]] as Kashinatha Shastri
* [[Sarathi (comedian)|Sarathi]] as Kashinatha Shastri
* [[Allu Ramalingaiah]]
* [[Allu Ramalingaiah]]
* [[Sreedhar]] as Mallanna
* [[Sreedhar]] as Mallanna
* [[M. Prabhakar Reddy|Prabhakar Reddy]] as Neela's father
* [[M. Prabhakar Reddy|Prabhakar Reddy]] as Neela's father
* [[Mukkamala]] as Jara Rashtrika (Vedic form of Peddavema Reddy)
* [[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]] as Jara Rashtrika (Vedic form of Peddavema Reddy)
* [[P. R. Varalakshmi]] as  [[Goddess Parvati]]
* [[P. R. Varalakshmi]] as  [[Goddess Parvati]]
* Jhansi
* Jhansi
Line 41: Line 46:
* [[Jaya Malini]] as Ranjana
* [[Jaya Malini]] as Ranjana


===Crew===
==Production==
* Director: [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]]
The film was inspired by [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]’s 1954 film ''[[Bedara Kannappa]]''.<ref name=":0" />
* Writer: [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]]
 
* Producer: [[Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju|U. Suryanarayana Raju]]
''Bhakta Kannappa'' was primarily shot in outdoor locations, including Pattiseema, Gutala, and the forests near Buttayagudem. Filming began in November 1975 and concluded in May 1976. Initially, the project was helmed by [[V. Madhusudhana Rao]], but due to creative differences, [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]] and [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]] took over the project. Bapu made significant changes to the script, which led to some previously recorded songs being dropped.<ref name=":1" />
* Production executive: [[Jayakrishna]]
* Production Company: Gopi Krishna Combines
* Original Music: [[Chellapilla Satyam]]
* Cinematography: [[V. S. R. Swamy]]
* Film Editing: [[Mandapati Ramachandraiah]]
* Art Direction: [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] and [[V. Bhaskara Raju]]
* Camera Operator: [[S. Gopal Reddy]]
* Assistant Cameramen: [[M. V. Raghu]] and Sharath
* Playback singers: [[S. Janaki]], [[S. P. Balasubramaniam]], [[P. Susheela]] and [[V. Ramakrishna]]


==Production==
The film's artwork, typical of Bapu's style, gave the film an authentic and captivating look. The dialogues, penned by Mullapudi, were noted for their realism and relevance to the characters. Notably, the song "Enniyallo Enniyallo," which appears to be shot on a full moon night, was actually filmed during the day.<ref name=":1" />
[[Krishnam Raju]] was inspired by ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]'' (1959) and wanted to produce a film just like it. As such, this film was influenced by the film ''Ben-Hur''. For songs recording, the unit went to tribal areas and composed their tunes and rhythms as songs for the film. In fact, the song ''Enniyallo'' was based on the research they had done.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know|title=Did You Know - Movies - Telugu - Entertainment - The Times of India|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>
 
==Music==
The soundtrack for ''Bhakta Kannappa'' was composed by [[Satyam (composer)|Satyam]], with lyrics written by [[Aarudra|Arudra]], [[C. Narayana Reddy]], and [[Veturi|Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]. The songs became widely popular, especially "Enniyallo" and "Aakasham Dinchala."<ref name=":1" />
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Song !! Singers !! Cast !! Lyrics
|-
| "Om Namasivayya" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] and Chorus || Krishnam Raju, M. Balaiah || Veturi
|-
| "Aakasam Dinchala Nelavanka" || [[V. Ramakrishna]], [[P. Susheela]] || Krishnam Raju, Vanisree || Arudra
|-
| "Enniyallo Enniyallo" || V. Ramakrishna, P. Susheela || Krishnam Raju, Vanisree || Arudra
|-
| "Kanda Gelichindi" || V. Ramakrishna, P. Susheela || Krishnam Raju, Vanisree || Arudra
|-
| "Siva Siva Ananelaara" || [[S. Janaki]] || Rao Gopal Rao, Jayamalini || C. Narayana Reddy
|-
| "Thalli Thandri Neevenamma" || P. Susheela || Vanisree || Veturi
|-
| "Siva Siva Sankara Bhaktava Sankara" || V. Ramakrishna || Krishnam Raju || Veturi
|-
| "Tinavayya Maa Kanna Tandri" || V. Ramakrishna || Krishnam Raju || Veturi
|-
| "Om Namasivayya" (reprise) || V. Ramakrishna || Krishnam Raju || Veturi
|-
| "Srikalahastiswara Hara Hara" || V. Ramakrishna and Chorus || Krishnam Raju || Veturi
|}
 
==Reception==
''Bhakta Kannappa'' was a commercial success running for 100 days in major centres and received widespread acclaim for its music, performances, and technical excellence. This achievement established the Gopikrishna banner, which subsequently produced other successful films, including ''[[Amara Deepam (1977 film)|Amaradeepam]]'' (1977) and ''[[Mana Voori Pandavulu|Mana Oori Pandavulu]]'' (1978).<ref name=":1" />


==Soundtrack ==
''Bhakta Kannappa'' was a pivotal success in Krishnam Raju's career, showcasing his versatility as an actor.<ref name=":0" />  The film is also remembered for its visual grandeur and use of elaborate outdoor locations.<ref name=":1" />
* "Aakasham Dinchala Nelavanka Tunchala" (Lyrics: Veturi; Singers: [[V. Ramakrishna]] and P. Susheela; Cast: Krishnam Raju and Vanisree)
* "Kanda Gelichindi Kanne Dorikindi" (Lyrics: C. Narayana Reddy; Singers: V. Ramakrishna and P. Susheela; Cast: Krishnam Raju, Vanisree and Others)
* "Om Namassivaya Srikantalokesha" (Lyrics: Veturi; Singer: V. Ramakrishna; Cast: Krishnam Raju and M. Balayya)
* "Paravasamuna Sivudu" (Kiratarjuneeyam) (Lyrics: Veturi; Singer: [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]; Cast: [[Krishnam Raju]] and [[M. Balayya]])
* "Siva Siva Ananelara" (Lyrics: C. Narayana Reddy; Singer: S. Janaki)
* "Siva Siva Sankara Bhaktava Sankara" (Lyrics: Veturi; Singer: V. Ramakrishna; Cast: Krishnam Raju)
* "Thalli Thandri" - (Singer: P. Susheela)
* "Thinavayya" -
* "Thakita Thakita" - (Singer: [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]])
* "Yenniyallo Yenniyallo Chandamama" - (Lyrics: Arudra; Singers: V. Ramakrishna and P. Susheela; Cast: Krishnam Raju and Vanisree)


==Box-office==
== Awards ==
The film was a blockbuster and ran for 1 year.<ref name="auto"/>


==Awards==
* [[National Film Award for Best Sound Design|National Film Award for Best Audiography]] - S. P. Ramanathan<ref>{{cite web |title=24th National Film Awards |url=http://www.hindilyrics.net/awards/national-film-awards-1977.html |access-date=10 July 2012}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* [[National Film Award for Best Audiography]] - S. P. Ramanathan


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0155543|Bhakta Kannappa}}
* {{IMDb title|0155543|Bhakta Kannappa}}
{{Bapu (film director)}}
{{Krishnam Raju}}


[[Category:1976 films]]
[[Category:1976 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional films]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:1970s biographical films]]
[[Category:1970s biographical films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bapu]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bapu]]
[[Category:Films produced by Krishnam Raju]]
[[Category:Films scored by Satyam (composer)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Chellapilla Satyam]]
[[Category:1976 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1970s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1976 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Audiography National Film Award]]
[[Category:Telugu remakes of Kannada films]]
 
 
{{1970s-Telugu-film-stub}}

Latest revision as of 01:52, 4 March 2026



Bhakta Kannappa
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBapu
Produced byU. Suryanarayana Raju
Written byMullapudi Venkata Ramana
StarringKrishnam Raju
Vanisree
M. Balaiah
Rao Gopal Rao
Sarathi
Sreedhar Surapaneni
Mukkamala
M. Prabhakar Reddy
Music bySatyam
CinematographyV. S. R. Swamy
M. V. Raghu
Edited byMandapati Ramachandraiah
Production
company
Gopikrishna Movies
Release date
  • May 26, 1976 (1976-05-26)
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Bhakta Kannappa (transl. Devotee Kannappa) is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Bapu and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju under the Gopikrishna Movies banner.[1] The film was inspired by the 1954 Kannada movie Bedara Kannappa which was based on the life of the Shaiva devotee, Kannappa.[2][3] The film stars Krishnam Raju in the title role, along with Vanisree, M. Balaiah, Rao Gopal Rao, Sarathi, and others in supporting roles. The music was composed by Satyam, with lyrics by Arudra, C. Narayana Reddy, and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.[4]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Arjuna (Krishnam Raju) is reborn as Thinnadu, an atheist who is raised by a tribal lord (M. Prabhakar Reddy). Leela (Vanisree), the tribal lord's daughter, falls in love with Thinna, but Mallanna (Sreedhar) also loves her. Thinna defeats Mallanna in a duel and wins Leela's hand. As an atheist, Thinna refuses to bow to the village goddess and leaves the village with Leela. The story follows Thinna's transformation into a devout follower of Lord Siva, becoming the revered Kannappa.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

The film was inspired by Rajkumar’s 1954 film Bedara Kannappa.[1]

Bhakta Kannappa was primarily shot in outdoor locations, including Pattiseema, Gutala, and the forests near Buttayagudem. Filming began in November 1975 and concluded in May 1976. Initially, the project was helmed by V. Madhusudhana Rao, but due to creative differences, Bapu and Mullapudi Venkata Ramana took over the project. Bapu made significant changes to the script, which led to some previously recorded songs being dropped.[4]

The film's artwork, typical of Bapu's style, gave the film an authentic and captivating look. The dialogues, penned by Mullapudi, were noted for their realism and relevance to the characters. Notably, the song "Enniyallo Enniyallo," which appears to be shot on a full moon night, was actually filmed during the day.[4]

Music[edit | edit source]

The soundtrack for Bhakta Kannappa was composed by Satyam, with lyrics written by Arudra, C. Narayana Reddy, and Veturi Sundararama Murthy. The songs became widely popular, especially "Enniyallo" and "Aakasham Dinchala."[4]

Song Singers Cast Lyrics
"Om Namasivayya" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Chorus Krishnam Raju, M. Balaiah Veturi
"Aakasam Dinchala Nelavanka" V. Ramakrishna, P. Susheela Krishnam Raju, Vanisree Arudra
"Enniyallo Enniyallo" V. Ramakrishna, P. Susheela Krishnam Raju, Vanisree Arudra
"Kanda Gelichindi" V. Ramakrishna, P. Susheela Krishnam Raju, Vanisree Arudra
"Siva Siva Ananelaara" S. Janaki Rao Gopal Rao, Jayamalini C. Narayana Reddy
"Thalli Thandri Neevenamma" P. Susheela Vanisree Veturi
"Siva Siva Sankara Bhaktava Sankara" V. Ramakrishna Krishnam Raju Veturi
"Tinavayya Maa Kanna Tandri" V. Ramakrishna Krishnam Raju Veturi
"Om Namasivayya" (reprise) V. Ramakrishna Krishnam Raju Veturi
"Srikalahastiswara Hara Hara" V. Ramakrishna and Chorus Krishnam Raju Veturi

Reception[edit | edit source]

Bhakta Kannappa was a commercial success running for 100 days in major centres and received widespread acclaim for its music, performances, and technical excellence. This achievement established the Gopikrishna banner, which subsequently produced other successful films, including Amaradeepam (1977) and Mana Oori Pandavulu (1978).[4]

Bhakta Kannappa was a pivotal success in Krishnam Raju's career, showcasing his versatility as an actor.[1] The film is also remembered for its visual grandeur and use of elaborate outdoor locations.[4]

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Remembering Krishnam Raju: A look at the best films of Telugu cinema's rebel star across decades". OTTPlay. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024. The film that also won the National Film Award for Best Audiography (S. P. Ramanathan)
  2. ↑ "Do you know the legendary Rajkumar once acted in a Telugu movie?". 17 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bhakta Kannappa (1976) - Retrospective | telugucinema.com". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Bhakta Kannappa (1976) - Retrospective". TeluguCinema.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "24th National Film Awards". Retrieved 10 July 2012.

External links[edit | edit source]

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