Devata (1965 film)
| Devata | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Hemambharadhara Rao |
| Produced by |
B. Purushottam Padmanabham (Presents) |
| Written by | Veeturi (story / dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | K. Hemambharadhara Rao |
| Starring |
N. T. Rama Rao Savitri |
| Music by | S. P. Kodandapani |
| Cinematography | M. G. Singh |
| Edited by | M. S. N. Murthy |
Production company |
Rekha & Murali Combines |
Release date |
|
Running time | 168 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | Rs. 5 lakhs. |
Devata (English: Goddess) is a 1965 Telugu drama film, produced by B. Purushottam, presented by comedian Padmanabham and directed by K. Hemambharadhara Rao.[1] It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri in the lead roles, with music composed by S. P. Kodandapani. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office.
Plot
Lecturer Prasad (N. T. Rama Rao) and Seeta (Savitri) are a happily married couple. They have a son Madhu (Master Murali). Seeta is a noble and ideal daughter-in-law who looks after her parents-in-law very affectionately and takes care of every family affair meticulously. She comes to know that her father Seshaiah (Perumallu) is sick and starts home by train. The train meets with an accident. Family members rush to the hospital where the occupants were taken and consult the officials, who were in charge of identifying the dead and treating the survivors, among the occupants of the train accident and are relieved to find out that Seeta is injured but alive and rejoice. She reaches home, but is unable to identify any of them. Meanwhile, Seshaiah leaves his entire property in the name of Seeta and dies. Dr. Rukminamma is called for consultation. The Doctor theorizes that the lady in the family is not Seeta but another lady of the same face, Lalitha (again Savitri). Prasad requests Lalitha to reveal her origin. Lalitha is a poor lady who loved a young man named Ramesh (Vallam Narasimha Rao), who refused her proposal of their marriage for want of dowry. Meanwhile, she is being forced by her parents to marry a wealthy drunkard. Helpless, Lalitha decides to commit suicide at the tracks where the same train in which Seeta is travelling, but she survives as the train derails just before reaching her allowing her to survive, albeit, with a few injuries. Prasad requests Lalitha to act like Seeta, until he finds Seeta, for his family sake. It turns out that Seeta in fact died in the train accident and no one could come forward to identify Seeta at the time of the accident since everyone mistook Lalitha for Seeta. The officials hence buried Seeta, unidentified. Prasad, thus, decides to arrange Lalitha's marriage with Ramesh by giving the dowry, but Ramesh suspects a relation between Prasad and Lalitha. Hearing this, Lalitha refuses the marriage and asks Ramesh to get out. Simultaneously, Seeta's relative Jagannadham (Rajanala) kidnaps Lalitha for the property, but she is saved by Prasad. Taking into account the affection shown on her by the family, Lalitha decides to replace Seeta and gets married to Prasad, keeping everyone happy.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Prasad
- Savitri as Seeta & Lalita (Dual role)
- Chittor V. Nagaiah as Lokabhiramaiah
- Rajanala as Jagannatham
- Padmanabham as Varahalu / Prem Kumar
- Vallam Narasimha Rao as Ramesh
- Vangara as Anjaneyulu
- Perumallu as Sheshaiah
- Balakrishna
- Geetanjali as Hema
- Hemalata
- Nirmalamma as Parvatamma
- Master Murali as Madhu
Cameo Appearances
- S. V. Ranga Rao as himself
- Gummadi as himself
- Relangi Venkata Ramaiah as himself
- Ramana Reddy as himself
- Kanta Rao as himself
- Raja Babu
- Nagesh (Cameo appearance)
- Anjali Devi as herself
- Krishna Kumari as herself
- Jamuna as herself
- Sowcar Janaki as herself
- Vanisri
Crew
- Art: B. N. Krishna
- Choreography:Pasumarthi, Chinni-Sampath, Venugopal
- Stills: D. Radhakrishna Murthy
- Fights: Sambasiva Rao
- Story - Dialogues: Veeturi
- Lyrics: C. Narayana Reddy, Dasaradhi, Sri Sri, Kosaraju, Veeturi, Palagummi Padmaraju
- Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, P. B. Srinivas, S. Janaki, Madhavapeddi Satyam, L. R. Eswari
- Music: S. P. Kodandapani
- Editing: M. S. N. Murthy
- Cinematography: M. G. Singh
- Presenter: Padmanabham
- Producer: B. Purushottam
- Screenplay - Director: K. Hemambharadhara Rao
- Banner: Rekha & Murali Productions
- Release Date: 24th July 1965
Soundtrack
| Devata | |
|---|---|
| Film score by S. P. Kodandapani | |
| Released | 1965 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Producer | S. P. Kodandapani |
Music composed by S. P. Kodandapani. All songs are blockbusters. Music released by Audio Company.
| S. No. | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aalayaana Velasina" | Veeturi | Ghantasala | 3:43 |
| 2 | "Are Kushi Kushi" | Dasaradhi | S. Janaki | 4:06 |
| 3 | "Bhalare Dheeruda" | Palagummi Padmaraju | P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki | 3:41 |
| 4 | "Tholi Valape Pade Pade" | Veeturi | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 4:31 |
| 5 | "Mavooru Madarasu" | Kosaraju | Padmanabham, L. R. Eswari | |
| 6 | "Kannullo Misamisalu" | Veeturi | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 4:39 |
| 7 | "Naaku Neeve Kaavalera" | C. Narayana Reddy | Madhavapeddi Satyam, S. Janaki | |
| 8 | "Bommanu Chesi Pranamu Posi" | Sri Sri | Ghantasala | 4:32 |
Production
Veturi wrote this story for a drama company called Rekha and Murali Arts. Later everyone involved thought that the story was not suitable for a stage drama as the heroine of the story has to perform a dual role. It was felt that the story was suitable for a motion picture. B. Padmanabham took up the task of producing the film under the banner Rekha & Murali Arts with the support from Kakarla Venkateswarlu of Vani film distributors. Padmanabhan mortgaged his house for Rs. 40,000 for the initial capital. Most of the shooting was done in Vauhini Studios, Chennai in three months.
- Vanisri acted as a guest in the college anniversary festival song "Naaku Neeve Kaavalera". She became a megastar in her own right with blockbuster films later on in life.
- Master Murali acted as Madhu, son of Prasad and Seeta. He is the eldest son of B. Padmanabham. He has acted in some films subsequently.
- Padmanabham portrayed the character as Varahalu, who is crazy about films and film actors. In the film, he visits Madras to personally meet many famous film actors of that time. This part of the film became a special attraction for the masses.
- Vallam Narasimha Rao, one of the partners in Rekha and Murali Arts has acted in the film as the lover of Savitri.