Melu Kolupu

Melu Kolupu
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	B. V. Prasad
Produced by	A. Pundarikakshaiah
Written by	Gollapudi (dialogues)
Screenplay by	B. V. Prasad
Story by	Sharad Pilgaonkar
Based on	Jagriti (1977)
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Jayaprada K. R. Vijaya
Music by	Master Venu
Cinematography	M. A. Rehman
Edited by	Kandaswany
Production company	Sri Bhaskara Chitra[1]
Release date	13 January 1978 (1978-01-13)
Running time	126 mins
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Melu Kolupu (English: Awakening) is a 1978 Telugu drama film, produced by A. Pundarikakshaiah under the Sri Bhaskara Chitra^[2] and directed by B. V. Prasad.^[3] It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jaya Prada and K. R. Vijaya in the lead roles, with music composed by Master Venu.^[4] The film is a remake of the Hindi movie Jagriti (1977).

Plot

Dayanidhi (Nagabhushanam) and his assistant Parabrahmam (Prabhakar Reddy) are petty thieves. After being released from the jail, they wear a mask of hypocritical social workers and live like most respectable citizens in the society. But they perpetrate many activities such as exploiting orphan children by involving them in all kinds of anti-social activities in the name of the children's welfare society, women trafficking in the name of women welfare society etc. Ramu (Master Raja Krishna) and Chitti Babu (Chalam) are a few thieves among their gang. Once, Ramu meets a woman called Susheela (Jaya Prada) who lives in a prostitute's house but always protects her chastity. Ramu is affectionate towards her and takes care of her as his own sister. The Govt. is fed up with these crimes, so, they appoint a special CID Officer Shekar (N. T. Rama Rao) to investigate the case. Once, Shekar catches Ramu and sends him to Juvenile home. In the home, Ramu becomes a good boy under the guidance and training of its Principal Shanti Devi (K. R. Vijaya). Meanwhile, Shekar is behind Dayanidhi and Brahmam and waiting for the opportunity to catch them. In between the prison, Ramu comes out taking permission to meet Susheela. Shekar follows him and recognizes Susheela as his past lover who has been sold by her maternal uncle. Shekar whole-heartedly accepts Susheela and takes her along with him. Due to good conduct, Ramu is released from jail and he comes out as a reformed person. Now he decides to change each and everyone who is suffering at the hands of Dayanidhi and Brahmam. So, he again joins the gang, passes on information to Shekar, brings out the change in his gang members and makes them into good citizens. Dayanidhi's racket is about to be exposed, so, he kidnaps Susheela to keep Shekar in his grip. Finally, Shekar with the help of Ramu and Shanti Devi discovers Dayanidhi and Brahmam's plan and gets them arrested.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao as Shekar
• Jayaprada as Susheela
• K. R. Vijaya as Shanti Devi
• Nagabhushanam as Dayanidhi
• Prabhakar Reddy as Parabrahmam
• Padmanabham as Master
• Chalam as Chitti Babu
• Jaya Bhaskar as Doctor
• Jaya Malini as item number
• Halam as item number
• Master Raja Krishna as Ramu

Crew

• Art: Thota Hema Chandar
• Choreography: Chinni-Sampath
• Stills: D. Radhakrishna Murthy
• Dialogues: Gollapudi
• Lyrics: C. Narayana Reddy, Dasaradhi
• Playback: SP Balu, P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vasantha
• Music: Master Venu
• Story: Sharad Pilgaonkar
• Editing: Kandaswamy
• Cinematography: M. A. Rehman
• Producer: A. Pundarikakshaiah
• Screenplay — Director: B. V. Prasad
• Banner: Sri Bhaskara Chitra
• Release Date: 13 January 1978

Soundtrack

Music composed by Master Venu. Music released by Audio Company.

References