Mana Voori Pandavulu
Manavoori Pandavulu (transl. Our village's Pandavas) is a 1978 Telugu film directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, dealing with the struggle against the feudal system in their own unique way. This movie is remake of Kannada movie Paduvaaralli Pandavaru directed by legendary Puttanna Kanagal. In 1980, he also remade it in Hindi as Hum Paanch starring Mithun Chakraborty.[1][2]
| Manavoori Pandavulu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Bapu |
| Produced by | Jaya Krishna |
| Written by | Mullapudi Venkata Ramana |
| Starring | Krishnam Raju Chiranjeevi Rao Gopal Rao |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
Release date | 9 November 1978 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Film Companion while compiling the 25 Greatest Telugu Films of the Decade, called Rangasthalam as an updated version of Mana Voori Pandavulu.[3]
Synopsis
The film revolves around Krishna (played by Krishnam Raju) who brings together an unlikely group of 5 youngsters to help in creating awareness among their villagers to revolt against the cruel village head, Rambhoopal (Rao Gopal Rao) and his henchmen. Even though being a revolutionary theme, the movie was wonderfully made without the usual noise that accompanies the leftist movies and fashioned on the lines of the great epic Mahabharata. Amazing performances by all the actors (Krishnam Raju, Raogopal Rao, Allu Ramalingaiah etc.) and wonderful technical backup make this movie another classic from Bapu. The film also has Chiranjeevi as a very young actor (his second movie to be released) in the role of Parthu.
Cast
- Krishnam Raju .... Krishna
- Rao Gopal Rao .... Rambhoopal (Dora vaaru)
- Murali Mohan .... Ramudu
- Prasad Babu .... Bheemanna
- Chiranjeevi .... Parthu
- Allu Ramalingaiah .... Kannappa
- Shoba .... Sundari
- Geetha .... Sinni
- Kanta Rao .... Dharmaiah
- Sarathi .... Rambhoopal's son
- Jhansi .... Santhamma
- Halam .... Oorvasi
- Bhanuchander
- Jayamalini
- Vijaya Bhaskar
Crew
- Director – Bapu
- Screenplay – Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
- Dialogue – Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
- Producer – Jaya Krishna, Krishnam Raju
- Cinematography – Balu Mahendra
- Music – K. V. Mahadevan
- Lyrics – Arudra, Kosaraju
- Playback singers – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P. Sailaja, P. Susheela, G. Anand, M. S. Rama Rao
Soundtrack
All music is composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jendaa Pai Kapiraju" | Arudra | S. P. Balu, G. Anand, M. S. Ramarao | |
| 2. | "Manchiki Cheddaki" | Arudra | S. P. Balu | |
| 3. | "Nalla Nallani" | Kosaraju | G. Anand, S. P. Sailaja | |
| 4. | "Orey Pichchi Sannaasee" | Arudra | S. P. Balu | |
| 5. | "Pandavulu" | Arudra | S. P. Balu, G. Anand, M. S. Ramarao | |
| 6. | "Piriki Mandhu Thaagi" | Arudra | S. P. Balu | |
| 7. | "Sitralu Seyakuro" | Arudra | S. P. Balu | |
| 8. | "Swagatham Suswagatham" | Arudra | Rao Gopal Rao, P. Susheela |
Box-office
Katakataala Rudraiah and Mana Voori Pandavulu were released within a gap of 10 days and both the films became blockbusters.[4]
Awards
- Rashtrapati Award - Krishnam Raju
- Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) - Krishnam Raju & Jaya Krishna
- Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer - Balu Mahendra