Abhilasha (1983 film): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|1983 film by A. Kodandarami Reddy}}
{{short description|1983 film by A. Kodandarami Reddy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Abhilasha
| name          = Abhilasha
| image          = Abhilasha.jpg
| image          = Abhilasha.jpg
| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director      = [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]]
| director      = [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]]
| based_on      = {{based on|''Abhilasha''|[[Yandamuri Veerendranath]]}}
| producer      = [[K. S. Rama Rao]]
| producer      = [[K. S. Rama Rao]]
| based_on      = {{based on|''Abhilasha''|[[Yandamuri Veerendranath]]}}
| starring      = [[Chiranjeevi]]<br />[[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]]<br />[[Rao Gopal Rao]]
| starring      = [[Chiranjeevi]]<br />[[Raadhika]]<br />[[Rao Gopal Rao]]
| music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cinematography = [[Lok Singh]]
| cinematography = [[Lok Singh]]
| editing        = [[Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao]]
| editing        = [[Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao]]
| music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio        = [[Creative Commercials]]
| studio        = [[Creative Commercials]]
| distributor    = Creative Commercials
| distributor    = Creative Commercials
| released      = {{film date|df=y|1983|3|11}}
| released      = {{film date|df=y|1983|3|11}}
| runtime        = 145 minutes<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |editor-last=Rajadhyaksha |editor-first=Ashish |pages=457 |orig-year=1994 |editor-last2=Willemen |editor-first2=Paul}}</ref>
| runtime        = 145 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=457}}
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Telugu
| language      = Telugu
| budget        = {{INR|16.5 [[lakh]]|link=yes}}<ref name="budget">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH7wAz1sFeI&t=12m53s |title=Alitho Saradaga {{!}} 10th August 2020 {{!}} K. S. Rama Rao {{!}} ETV Telugu |publisher=[[ETV (Telugu)|ETV Telugu]] |lang=te}}</ref>
| budget        = {{INR|16.5 [[lakh]]|link=yes}}<ref name="budget">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH7wAz1sFeI&t=12m53s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/DH7wAz1sFeI |archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Alitho Saradaga {{!}} 10 August 2020 {{!}} K. S. Rama Rao {{!}} ETV Telugu |publisher=[[ETV (India)|ETV Telugu]] |language=te}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Abhilasha''''' ({{trans|Desire}}) is a 1983 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[thriller film]] directed by [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]] and produced by [[K. S. Rama Rao]].  The film stars [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Raadhika]] while [[Rao Gopal Rao]] and [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao ]] play vital roles with the music composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]]. An adaptation of [[Yandamuri Veerendranath]]'s novel of the same name, it revolves around a young lawyer striving to end [[capital punishment]] in India, but gets himself entangled in a murder case.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2017 |title=Abhilasha |url=http://www.india.com/photos/entertainment/chiranjeevi-birthday-special-top-10-movies-of-the-tollywood-stars-we-will-love-to-watch-the-sequel-of-117166/abhilasha-117175/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[India.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2013 |title=Chiru ready for a sequel to 'Abhilasha' |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2013-07-26/Chiru-ready-for-a-sequel-to-Abhilasha/4023 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[The Hans India]]}}</ref>
'''''Abhilasha''''' ({{translation|Desire}}) is a 1983 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[legal drama]] film directed by [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]] and produced by [[K. S. Rama Rao]].  The film stars [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] while [[Rao Gopal Rao]] and [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]] play vital roles and the music is composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2013 |title=Chiru ready for a sequel to 'Abhilasha' |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2013-07-26/Chiru-ready-for-a-sequel-to-Abhilasha/4023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010601/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2013-07-26/Chiru-ready-for-a-sequel-to-Abhilasha/4023 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[The Hans India]]}}</ref>


The film released theatrically on 11 March 1983<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1105103089168601090 |user=baraju_SuperHit |title=Megastar #Chiranjeevi, Radhika starrer Superhit Novel based film #Abhilasha cmplts 36 yrs (11/03/1983) Directed by A Kodandarami Reddy Produced by KS Ramarao in @CCMediaEnt Music by Ilayaraja |date=11 March 2019 |access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> to positive response and was commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanmayi |first=Bhawana |date=18 May 2018 |title=From Telugu bestsellers to superhits |url=https://telanganatoday.com/from-telugu-bestsellers-to-superhits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190824052643/https://telanganatoday.com/from-telugu-bestsellers-to-superhits |archive-date=24 August 2019 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[Telangana Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Abhilasha&nbsp;– A Kodandarami Reddy-Chiranjeevi: 6 Blockbuster hit films of the ace director-actor duo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/a-kodandarami-reddy-chiranjeevi-6-blockbuster-hit-films-of-the-ace-director-actor-duo/Abhilasha/photostory/64825633.cms |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film was remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''Sattathai Thiruthungal'' (1984). In spite of being an adaptation of a novel, the core plot was observed to be similar to two American films- ''[[The Man Who Dared (1946 film)|The Man Who Dared]]'' (1946) and ''[[Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956 film)|Beyond A Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1956).<ref>https://mobile.indiaherald.com/Politics/Read/3167/Yandamoori-Veerendranath-A-Plagiarist-%E2%80%98Beyond-A-Reasonable-Doubt%E2%80%99-/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: 5 best performances of Megastar you shouldn't miss |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/photo/happy-birthday-chiranjeevi-5-best-performances-989648-2017-08-22/3 |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=[[India Today]] |page=3}}</ref>
An adaptation of [[Yandamuri Veerendranath]]'s novel of the same name, it revolves around a young lawyer striving to end [[capital punishment]] in India, but getting himself entangled in a murder case.<ref name="indiatoday.in">{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: 5 best performances of Megastar you shouldn't miss |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/photo/happy-birthday-chiranjeevi-5-best-performances-989648-2017-08-22/3 |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=[[India Today]] |date=22 August 2017 |page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163602/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/photo/happy-birthday-chiranjeevi-5-best-performances-989648-2017-08-22/3 |archive-date=3 January 2021 }}</ref> The film released theatrically on 11 March 1983<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1105103089168601090 |user=baraju_SuperHit |title=Megastar #Chiranjeevi, Radhika starrer Superhit Novel based film #Abhilasha cmplts 36 yrs (11/03/1983) Directed by A Kodandarami Reddy Produced by KS Ramarao in @CCMediaEnt Music by Ilayaraja |first= |last=B. A. Raju |date=11 March 2019 |access-date=}}</ref> to positive response and was a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanmayi |first=Bhawana |date=18 May 2018 |title=From Telugu bestsellers to superhits |url=https://telanganatoday.com/from-telugu-bestsellers-to-superhits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190824052643/https://telanganatoday.com/from-telugu-bestsellers-to-superhits |archive-date=24 August 2019 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[Telangana Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Abhilasha&nbsp;– A Kodandarami Reddy-Chiranjeevi: 6 Blockbuster hit films of the ace director-actor duo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/a-kodandarami-reddy-chiranjeevi-6-blockbuster-hit-films-of-the-ace-director-actor-duo/Abhilasha/photostory/64825633.cms |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216233851/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/a-kodandarami-reddy-chiranjeevi-6-blockbuster-hit-films-of-the-ace-director-actor-duo/Abhilasha/photostory/64825633.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Sattathai Thiruthungal]]'' (1984).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-30 |title=சிலுக்கு ஸ்மிதா! (6) |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/malarkal/vara-malar-weekly-magazine/smitha-6/50739 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231025144024/https://m.dinamalar.com/weeklydetail.php?id=50739 |archive-date=2023-10-25 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta}}</ref> In spite of being an adaptation of a novel, the core plot was observed to be similar to two American films{{Em dash}}''[[The Man Who Dared (1946 film)|The Man Who Dared]]'' (1946) and ''[[Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956 film)|Beyond A Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1956).<ref name="indiatoday.in"/>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Struggling lawyer Chiranjeevi ([[Chiranjeevi]]) lives with his roommate ([[Allu Aravind]]) and strives for removing [[Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code|Section 302]] of the [[Indian Penal Code]]. The reason behind his determination is his father's death sentence under 302 for rape and murder, which he didn't commit.
Struggling lawyer Chiranjeevi (Chiranjeevi) lives with his roommate (Allu Aravind) and is determined to abolish Section 302 of the [[Indian Penal Code]], which mandates the death penalty for murder. His motivation stems from his father's wrongful execution for a crime he didn't commit.


Sarvothama Rao ([[Rao Gopal Rao]]), a famous criminal lawyer in that city, sends an invitation to every famous lawyer for a party at his place. By his secretary's mistake, one invitation reaches Chiranjeevi, and he gets a chance to meet Sarvothama Rao at his house. As Chiranjeevi reaches Sarvothama Rao's house he is first nervous & confused but firmly believes to express his idea about IPC 302 to Sarvothama Rao.
Sarvothama Rao (Rao Gopal Rao), a renowned criminal lawyer, invites all the famous lawyers in the city to a party. By mistake, Chiranjeevi receives an invitation and seizes the opportunity to meet Sarvothama Rao. Nervous but resolute, he plans to discuss his proposal to repeal Section 302.


There at party Chiranjeevi is offered a drink & he sips it casually. He keeps drinking until he fills up. Inthe unconscious state he believes that he is explaining his proposal to everyone out there. Meanwhile one among his colleagues ask him if he is ok & suddenly Chiranjeevi feels like vomiting & in an embarrassing situation he covers his mouth tightly with his hands & moves away from there.
At the party, Chiranjeevi inadvertently drinks too much and ends up in an embarrassing situation, seeking refuge in a restroom. There, he accidentally meets Sarvothama Rao's niece, Archana (Radhika), and awkwardly explains his presence. This encounter leads to a blossoming romance between Chiranjeevi and Archana, who soon has to leave for a meeting abroad.


He then goes in search of a restroom. While he is struck by the door of a room at Sarvothama Rao's house, he opens it & gets into it. Later in the restroom Chiranjeevi starts vomiting. Unfortunately the tap of the sink doesn't work & in order to get some water he tries to open another water valve but he wets himself under a shower. After bouts of vomiting he then feels relieved from a bad hangover & this is where he also accidentally meets Sarvothama Rao's niece Archana ([[Raadhika]]) at the party & when Archana enquiries about his whereabouts suspiciously, Chiranjeevi tells that he has unknowingly entered her room as he was nauseous & he apologizes her for using her restroom with out her permission. Once Archana is clear with her doubts, they began to converse more and this is where Chiranjeevi falls in love with her. When their love starts blossoming, Archana has to attend a meeting in another country and she leaves for a few days.
During her absence, Chiranjeevi devises a plan to fake a murder, implicate himself, and receive a death sentence. He hopes that Sarvothama Rao will reveal the truth at the last moment to the governor, thereby challenging Section 302 in the Supreme Court. They successfully frame Chiranjeevi with the body of a woman, leading to his death sentence. While in jail, guard Vishnu Sharma (Rallapalli) is puzzled by Chiranjeevi's calm demeanor.


During this time, Chiranjeevi comes up with an idea: to plan a fake [[murder]] in which he will implicate himself and receive a death sentence. According to his plan, Sarvothama Rao will show original pictures of the dead body to the governor at the last moment and rescue Chiranjeevi. Then, both intend to file a petition with the Supreme Court against IPC 302. They manage to frame him with the body of a woman, and Chiranjeevi is sentenced to death, just as he planned. In jail, guard Vishnu Sharma ([[Rallapalli (actor)|Rallapalli]]) is surprised to see Chiranjeevi happy before his death. Archana returns from abroad and finds out that Chiranjeevi will be hanged the next day. She goes to meet Chiranjeevi in prison, and he acts like he actually did commit the crime out of lust. Archana does not know Chiranjeevi's plan and leaves in disgust. On the night before Chiranjeevi's hanging, Sarvothama Rao, who is on his way to meet governor to rescue Chiranjeevi, has an accident.
Upon her return, Archana learns of Chiranjeevi's impending execution and visits him. Chiranjeevi, keeping his plan secret, pretends to have committed the crime out of lust, leaving Archana heartbroken. Meanwhile, Sarvothama Rao, en route to meet the governor, has an accident, jeopardizing the plan.


A tense Chiranjeevi reveals to Vishnu Sharma that this was all fake and that he did not kill the woman, pleading for his help. Vishnu Sharma runs to Archana's house to tell her the truth. After a night-long struggle, they manage to get in touch with Sarvothama Rao, who is alive in the hospital. They get the original negatives, and Chiranjeevi is saved from being hanged.
A desperate Chiranjeevi confides in Vishnu Sharma, who rushes to inform Archana. After a frantic night, they manage to contact Sarvothama Rao, who, though injured, provides the evidence needed to save Chiranjeevi.


Sarvothama Rao throws a party to celebrate Chiranjeevi's success and announces Chiranjeevi and Archana's engagement. Paidithalli ([[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]]), a drunk, drags Chiranjeevi out of the party, and Archana gets suspicious about their secret talk. She follows him. Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi believes that the dead body of the woman he used did not die a natural death. A postmortem report shows that she was killed by a man with 4 fingers on one hand. Archana remembers a goon who attacked her on the night she saved Chiranjeevi. Chiranjeevi reveals that he bought the body from that 4-fingered goon. It slowly unfolds that the dead woman was Sarvothama Rao's daughter from his extramarital relationship. Sarvothama Rao is arrested, and in court, the judge sentences him to death. But Chiranjeevi objects. He finds that the death penalty is ridiculous and that it is not a punishment to kill someone. To punish, one must suffer for his/her actions. After a short speech, the judge agrees and instead gives him 7 years to prison.
To celebrate, Sarvothama Rao throws a party, announcing Chiranjeevi and Archana's engagement. However, a drunk Obulesu (Gollapudi Maruti Rao) pulls Chiranjeevi aside, arousing Archana's suspicion. She follows them, leading to the revelation that the woman whose corpse was used in the fake murder did not die naturally. The postmortem report shows she was killed by a man with four fingers on one hand. Archana remembers a four-fingered goon who attacked her previously, and Chiranjeevi recalls buying the body from this goon.
 
The investigation uncovers that the dead woman was Sarvothama Rao's daughter from an extramarital affair. Sarvothama Rao is arrested, and in court, the judge sentences him to death. Chiranjeevi objects, arguing that true punishment should involve suffering for one's actions, not death. The judge agrees, reducing Sarvothama Rao's sentence to seven years in prison.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
*[[Chiranjeevi]] as Chiranjeevi
*[[Chiranjeevi]] as Chiranjeevi
*[[Radhika]] as Archana
*[[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] as Archana
*[[Rao Gopal Rao]] as Sarvothama Rao
*[[Rao Gopal Rao]] as Sarvothama Rao
*[[Rallapalli (actor)|Rallapalli]] as Vishnu Sarma
*[[Rallapalli (actor)|Rallapalli]] as Vishnu Sarma
*[[Gollapudi Maruthi Rao]] as Paidithalli
*[[Gollapudi Maruthi Rao]] as Obulesu
*[[Rajyalakshmi]] as Sarvothama Rao's daughter
*[[Rajyalakshmi]] as Sarvothama Rao's daughter
*Bheema Raju as Bheema Raju
*Bheema Raju as Bheema Raju
*[[Mada Venkateswara Rao]]
*[[Mada Venkateswara Rao]]
*Uyyuru Ramakrishna
*Uyyuru Ramakrishna
*C. S. Rao
*[[C. S. Rao]]
*Satyendra Kumar
*Satyendra Kumar
*P. J. Sarma
*[[P. J. Sarma]]
*Vijayaram
*Vijayaram
*Krishna Chaitanya
*Krishna Chaitanya
*Tham
*Dham
*K. L. N. Rao
*K. L. N. Rao
*Mallikharjuna Rao
*[[Mallikarjuna Rao (actor)|Mallikarjuna Rao]]
*G. Murthy
*G. Murthy
*M. Jagadeesh Babu
*M. Jagadeesh Babu
Line 64: Line 66:


== Production ==
== Production ==
After the success of his horror novels in the late 1970s, [[Yandamuri Veerendranath]] came up with the novel ''Abhilasha''. Being a fan of Yandamuri's novels, [[K.S. Rama Rao]] wanted to make his first film based on this novel. Rama Rao until than had been dubbing Tamil films into Telugu and also distributing films and was involved in publicity for films as well.{{cn|date=August 2020}}
[[K. S. Rama Rao]], who founded [[Creative Commercials]] as a radio advertising business, later expanded into the film industry. His first foray into filmmaking involved acquiring the dubbing rights of successful Tamil films and releasing them in Telugu. His passion for literature inspired his transition to film production.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2013 |title=Interview - KS Rama Rao about Abhilasha and Creative Commercials |url=https://idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/ksramarao-creativecommercials.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sri |date=12 January 2006 |title=TC Exclusive: K.S. Rama Rao - Interview |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/interview_ksramarao_2006.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119100756/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/interview_ksramarao_2006.php |archive-date=19 November 2006 |access-date=9 August 2023 |work=[[Telugucinema.com]]}}</ref>


Rao approached [[Chiranjeevi]] to play the lead. Chiranjeevi accepted the film immediately as a few months ago his mother when reading the novel recommended him to make a film based on it with him as the lead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-17 |title=Throwback to flashback: The story behind the making of Abhilasha! |url=https://www.telugubulletin.com/throwback-to-flashback-the-story-behind-the-making-of-abhilasha-80370 |access-date=2020-08-09 |website=TeluguBulletin.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Rao brought together the combination of actor Chiranjeevi, writer Yandamuri Veerendranath, composer [[Ilaiyaraaja]] and director [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]] together for the first time with this movie. This combination later went on to make many successful films in the 1980s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=2018-06-12 |title=Chiranjeevi's apology |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120618/chiranjeevis-apology.html |access-date=2020-08-09 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>
In the early 1980s, Rama Rao sought the rights to adapt [[Yandamuri Veerendranath]]'s novel ''[[Tulasi Dalam]]''. Instead, Veerendranath introduced Rama Rao to his unpublished novel ''Abhilasha'', which explores the theme of [[capital punishment]]. Captivated by the story, Rama Rao secured the rights and decided to produce it as his first film.<ref name=":04"/> The novel itself was observed to be similar to two American films{{Em dash}}''[[The Man Who Dared (1946 film)|The Man Who Dared]]'' (1946) and ''[[Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956 film)|Beyond A Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1956).<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2017 |title=Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: 5 best performances of Megastar you shouldn't miss |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/photo/happy-birthday-chiranjeevi-5-best-performances-989648-2017-08-22/3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163602/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/photo/happy-birthday-chiranjeevi-5-best-performances-989648-2017-08-22/3 |archive-date=3 January 2021 |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=[[India Today]] |page=3}}</ref>


== Soundtrack ==
For the adaptation of ''Abhilasha'', Rama Rao assembled a distinguished team. He approached [[Chiranjeevi]] to play the lead. Chiranjeevi accepted the film immediately after his mother had previously recommended the novel to him based on its serialized publication in a magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2020 |title=Throwback to flashback: The story behind the making of Abhilasha! |url=https://www.telugubulletin.com/throwback-to-flashback-the-story-behind-the-making-of-abhilasha-80370 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809100153/https://www.telugubulletin.com/throwback-to-flashback-the-story-behind-the-making-of-abhilasha-80370 |archive-date=9 August 2023 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=TeluguBulletin.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=12 June 2018 |title=Chiranjeevi's apology |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120618/chiranjeevis-apology.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618131804/https://deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/120618/chiranjeevis-apology.html |archive-date=18 June 2018 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> [[A. Kodandarami Reddy]] was chosen as the director, and [[Ilaiyaraaja]] was brought on as the composer. Veerendranath, along with [[Satyanand (writer)|Satyanand]] and [[G. Satyamurthy|Satyamurthy]], adapted the novel into the screenplay. This collaboration of Chiranjeevi, K. S. Rama Rao, Kodandarami Reddy, Yandamuri Veerendranath and Ilaiyaraaja proved highly successful and led to a series of hit films in the 1980s, including ''[[Challenge (1984 film)|Challenge]]'' (1984) and [[Rakshasudu (1986 film)|''Rakshasudu'']] (1986).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":04"/>
 
== Music ==
All songs were composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].
All songs were composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].


{{Tracklist
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Navvindi Malle Chendu
| title1 = Navvindi Malle Chendu
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] &  [[S. Janaki]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] &  [[S. Janaki]]
| lyrics1 = [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]
| lyrics1 = [[Veturi]]
| length1 = 4:17
| length1 = 4:17
| title2 = Urakalai Godavari
| title2 = Urakalai Godavari
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| lyrics2 = [[Acharya Atreya]]
| lyrics2 = [[Acharya Aatreya]]
| length2 = 4:43
| length2 = 4:43
| title3 = Sande Poddula Kada
| title3 = Sande Poddula Kada
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| lyrics3 = Veturi Sundararama Murthy
| lyrics3 = Veturi
| length3 = 4:28
| length3 = 4:28
| title4 = Banthee Chamanthi
| title4 = Banthee Chamanthi
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| lyrics4 = Veturi Sundararama Murthy
| lyrics4 = Veturi
| length4 = 4:40
| length4 = 4:40
| title5 = Vela Pala Ledu
| title5 = Vela Pala Ledu
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
| lyrics5 = Acharya Atreya
| lyrics5 = Acharya Aatreya
| length5 = 4:39
| length5 = 4:39
}}
}}


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
Venkat Rao of ''[[Andhra Patrika]]'', writing his review on 18 March 1983, praised the film for screenplay, direction and performances of the lead cast. "Chiranjeevi has breath life into his character, its not an exaggeration to say the he would reach greater heights in terms of acting," he opined. The reviewer also wrote "Introducing songs in the films of such genre may affect the screenplay, Illayaraja's soundtrack however would be appealing to the youth."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Venkat |date=1983-03-18 |title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అభిలాష |language=te |trans-title=Film review: Abhilasha |page=5 |work=[[Andhra Patrika]] |url=http://pressacademyarchives.ap.nic.in/newspaperframe.aspx?bookid=12088 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-08}}</ref>
Venkat Rao of ''[[Andhra Patrika]]'', writing his review on 18 March 1983, praised the film for screenplay, direction and performances of the lead cast. "Chiranjeevi has breath life into his character, its not an exaggeration to say the he would reach greater heights in terms of acting," he opined. The reviewer also wrote "Introducing songs in the films of such genre may affect the screenplay, Illayaraja's soundtrack however would be appealing to the youth."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Venkat |date=18 March 1983 |title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అభిలాష |trans-title=Film review: Abhilasha |url=https://archive.org/details/ANDHRAPATRIKA18031983/page/n3/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230928165449/https://archive.org/details/ANDHRAPATRIKA18031983/page/n3/mode/2up |archive-date=28 September 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023 |work=[[Andhra Patrika]] |pages=5 |language=te |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>


The film initially received negative feedback during its premier at [[Madras]]. Director Reddy and writer Yendamuri who were in [[Hyderabad]] that time, worried about their film career which was dependent on ''Abhilasha''<nowiki/>'s success.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=చిరంజీవి సినిమాకి ఫ్లాప్ టాక్.. ఇద్దరం ట్యాంక్ బండ్ దగ్గర ఏడ్చేశాం! |trans-title=We wept at Tank bund when we heard flop talk for Chiranjeevi's film |url=https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/director-kodanda-ramireddy-about-megastar-chiranjeevi-s-abhilasha-movie-q2nsdw |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-09 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=te}}</ref>
The film initially received negative feedback during its premier at [[Madras]]. Director Reddy and writer Yendamuri who were in [[Hyderabad]] that time, worried about their film career which was dependent on ''Abhilasha''<nowiki/>'s success.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=చిరంజీవి సినిమాకి ఫ్లాప్ టాక్.. ఇద్దరం ట్యాంక్ బండ్ దగ్గర ఏడ్చేశాం! |trans-title=We wept at Tank bund when we heard flop talk for Chiranjeevi's film |url=https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/director-kodanda-ramireddy-about-megastar-chiranjeevi-s-abhilasha-movie-q2nsdw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218115144/https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/director-kodanda-ramireddy-about-megastar-chiranjeevi-s-abhilasha-movie-q2nsdw |archive-date=18 December 2019 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=[[Asianet News]] |language=te}}</ref>


However, upon release, the film received a positive response from all areas and became a commercial success. Director Reddy opined that the film's success boosted the careers of the cast and crew.<ref name=":0" />
However, upon release, the film received a positive response from all areas and became a commercial success. Director Reddy opined that the film's success boosted the careers of the cast and crew.<ref name=":0" />
Line 104: Line 108:
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |author-link2=Paul Willemen |orig-date=1994}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|id=0245682|title=Abhilasha}}
*{{IMDb title}}


{{A. Kodandarami Reddy}}
{{A. Kodandarami Reddy}}


[[Category:1983 Indian films]]
[[Category:1980s legal drama films]]
[[Category:1980s satirical films]]
[[Category:1983 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1983 black comedy films]]
[[Category:1983 crime drama films]]
[[Category:1983 films]]
[[Category:1983 films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Andhra Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:Films about capital punishment]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Films about murder]]
[[Category:Films about social issues in India]]
[[Category:Films based on Telugu novels]]
[[Category:Films based on novels by Yandamuri Veerendranath]]
[[Category:Films directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy]]
[[Category:Films directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1980s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films based on Indian novels]]
[[Category:Indian black comedy films]]
[[Category:1983 crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
[[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
[[Category:Films about capital punishment]]
[[Category:Fiction about murder]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian satirical films]]
[[Category:Political controversies in film]]
[[Category:Political controversies in India]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Indian legal films]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 4 March 2026


Abhilasha
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. Kodandarami Reddy
Produced byK. S. Rama Rao
Based onAbhilasha
by Yandamuri Veerendranath
StarringChiranjeevi
Radhika
Rao Gopal Rao
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyLok Singh
Edited byKotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Production
company
Distributed byCreative Commercials
Release date
  • 11 March 1983 (1983-03-11)
Running time
145 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹16.5 lakh[2]

Abhilasha (transl. Desire) is a 1983 Indian Telugu-language legal drama film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and produced by K. S. Rama Rao. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Radhika while Rao Gopal Rao and Gollapudi Maruti Rao play vital roles and the music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[3]

An adaptation of Yandamuri Veerendranath's novel of the same name, it revolves around a young lawyer striving to end capital punishment in India, but getting himself entangled in a murder case.[4] The film released theatrically on 11 March 1983[5] to positive response and was a commercial success.[6][7] The film was remade in Tamil as Sattathai Thiruthungal (1984).[8] In spite of being an adaptation of a novel, the core plot was observed to be similar to two American films—The Man Who Dared (1946) and Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (1956).[4]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Struggling lawyer Chiranjeevi (Chiranjeevi) lives with his roommate (Allu Aravind) and is determined to abolish Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for murder. His motivation stems from his father's wrongful execution for a crime he didn't commit.

Sarvothama Rao (Rao Gopal Rao), a renowned criminal lawyer, invites all the famous lawyers in the city to a party. By mistake, Chiranjeevi receives an invitation and seizes the opportunity to meet Sarvothama Rao. Nervous but resolute, he plans to discuss his proposal to repeal Section 302.

At the party, Chiranjeevi inadvertently drinks too much and ends up in an embarrassing situation, seeking refuge in a restroom. There, he accidentally meets Sarvothama Rao's niece, Archana (Radhika), and awkwardly explains his presence. This encounter leads to a blossoming romance between Chiranjeevi and Archana, who soon has to leave for a meeting abroad.

During her absence, Chiranjeevi devises a plan to fake a murder, implicate himself, and receive a death sentence. He hopes that Sarvothama Rao will reveal the truth at the last moment to the governor, thereby challenging Section 302 in the Supreme Court. They successfully frame Chiranjeevi with the body of a woman, leading to his death sentence. While in jail, guard Vishnu Sharma (Rallapalli) is puzzled by Chiranjeevi's calm demeanor.

Upon her return, Archana learns of Chiranjeevi's impending execution and visits him. Chiranjeevi, keeping his plan secret, pretends to have committed the crime out of lust, leaving Archana heartbroken. Meanwhile, Sarvothama Rao, en route to meet the governor, has an accident, jeopardizing the plan.

A desperate Chiranjeevi confides in Vishnu Sharma, who rushes to inform Archana. After a frantic night, they manage to contact Sarvothama Rao, who, though injured, provides the evidence needed to save Chiranjeevi.

To celebrate, Sarvothama Rao throws a party, announcing Chiranjeevi and Archana's engagement. However, a drunk Obulesu (Gollapudi Maruti Rao) pulls Chiranjeevi aside, arousing Archana's suspicion. She follows them, leading to the revelation that the woman whose corpse was used in the fake murder did not die naturally. The postmortem report shows she was killed by a man with four fingers on one hand. Archana remembers a four-fingered goon who attacked her previously, and Chiranjeevi recalls buying the body from this goon.

The investigation uncovers that the dead woman was Sarvothama Rao's daughter from an extramarital affair. Sarvothama Rao is arrested, and in court, the judge sentences him to death. Chiranjeevi objects, arguing that true punishment should involve suffering for one's actions, not death. The judge agrees, reducing Sarvothama Rao's sentence to seven years in prison.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

K. S. Rama Rao, who founded Creative Commercials as a radio advertising business, later expanded into the film industry. His first foray into filmmaking involved acquiring the dubbing rights of successful Tamil films and releasing them in Telugu. His passion for literature inspired his transition to film production.[9][10]

In the early 1980s, Rama Rao sought the rights to adapt Yandamuri Veerendranath's novel Tulasi Dalam. Instead, Veerendranath introduced Rama Rao to his unpublished novel Abhilasha, which explores the theme of capital punishment. Captivated by the story, Rama Rao secured the rights and decided to produce it as his first film.[9] The novel itself was observed to be similar to two American films—The Man Who Dared (1946) and Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (1956).[11]

For the adaptation of Abhilasha, Rama Rao assembled a distinguished team. He approached Chiranjeevi to play the lead. Chiranjeevi accepted the film immediately after his mother had previously recommended the novel to him based on its serialized publication in a magazine.[12][13] A. Kodandarami Reddy was chosen as the director, and Ilaiyaraaja was brought on as the composer. Veerendranath, along with Satyanand and Satyamurthy, adapted the novel into the screenplay. This collaboration of Chiranjeevi, K. S. Rama Rao, Kodandarami Reddy, Yandamuri Veerendranath and Ilaiyaraaja proved highly successful and led to a series of hit films in the 1980s, including Challenge (1984) and Rakshasudu (1986).[13][9]

Music[edit | edit source]

All songs were composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Navvindi Malle Chendu"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki4:17
2."Urakalai Godavari"Acharya AatreyaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki4:43
3."Sande Poddula Kada"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki4:28
4."Banthee Chamanthi"VeturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki4:40
5."Vela Pala Ledu"Acharya AatreyaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki4:39

Reception[edit | edit source]

Venkat Rao of Andhra Patrika, writing his review on 18 March 1983, praised the film for screenplay, direction and performances of the lead cast. "Chiranjeevi has breath life into his character, its not an exaggeration to say the he would reach greater heights in terms of acting," he opined. The reviewer also wrote "Introducing songs in the films of such genre may affect the screenplay, Illayaraja's soundtrack however would be appealing to the youth."[14]

The film initially received negative feedback during its premier at Madras. Director Reddy and writer Yendamuri who were in Hyderabad that time, worried about their film career which was dependent on Abhilasha's success.[15]

However, upon release, the film received a positive response from all areas and became a commercial success. Director Reddy opined that the film's success boosted the careers of the cast and crew.[15]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 457.
  2. ↑ Alitho Saradaga | 10 August 2020 | K. S. Rama Rao | ETV Telugu (in తెలుగు). ETV Telugu. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Chiru ready for a sequel to 'Abhilasha'". The Hans India. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: 5 best performances of Megastar you shouldn't miss". India Today. 22 August 2017. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. ↑ B. A. Raju [@baraju_SuperHit] (11 March 2019). "Megastar #Chiranjeevi, Radhika starrer Superhit Novel based film #Abhilasha cmplts 36 yrs (11/03/1983) Directed by A Kodandarami Reddy Produced by KS Ramarao in @CCMediaEnt Music by Ilayaraja" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ Tanmayi, Bhawana (18 May 2018). "From Telugu bestsellers to superhits". Telangana Today. Retrieved 9 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ "Abhilasha – A Kodandarami Reddy-Chiranjeevi: 6 Blockbuster hit films of the ace director-actor duo". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "சிலுக்கு ஸ்மிதா! (6)". Dinamalar (in தமிழ்). 30 January 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Interview - KS Rama Rao about Abhilasha and Creative Commercials". Idlebrain.com. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Sri (12 January 2006). "TC Exclusive: K.S. Rama Rao - Interview". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: 5 best performances of Megastar you shouldn't miss". India Today. 22 August 2017. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Throwback to flashback: The story behind the making of Abhilasha!". TeluguBulletin.com. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kavirayani, Suresh (12 June 2018). "Chiranjeevi's apology". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  14. ↑ Rao, Venkat (18 March 1983). "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: అభిలాష" [Film review: Abhilasha]. Andhra Patrika (in తెలుగు). p. 5. Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "చిరంజీవి సినిమాకి ఫ్లాప్ టాక్.. ఇద్దరం ట్యాంక్ బండ్ దగ్గర ఏడ్చేశాం!" [We wept at Tank bund when we heard flop talk for Chiranjeevi's film]. Asianet News (in తెలుగు). Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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