Niluvu Dopidi (transl. Complete Robbery) is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by U. Visweswara Rao and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, Devika and Jayalalita, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was released on 25 January 1968 and became a commercial success.
| Niluvu Dopidi | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
| |
| Directed by | C. S. Rao |
| Screenplay by | Tripuraneni Maharadhi |
| Story by | U. Visweswara Rao |
| Produced by | U. Visweswara Rao |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Krishna Devika Jayalalita |
| Cinematography | G. K. Ramu |
| Edited by | R. Hanumantha Rao |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
Production | Manjula Cine Syndicate |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
The film begins in the Rangapuram village where Zamindar Jagapathi Rao has two sons – Ramu & Krishna. Before dying, he entrusts their responsibility to his sisters, Chukamma & Sheshamma—the avaricious Chukkamma ploys with her distant relative Bhushanam to kill the heirs for the property. However, Chukkamma's wise husband Venkataramaiah recuses the boys, and they land at an orphanage. Years roll by, and Ramu becomes a mechanic, whereas Krishna is a college student. They fall in love with the daughters of Sheshamma and Chukkamma, Janaki & Radha, respectively.
At Rangapuram, Chukkamma reaps her benefits. Parallelly, Bhushanam becomes the village president who aspires to arrange his son Raju's marriage with Radha. Bhushanam learns of Radha and Krishna's love affair. So, he beats Krishna when enraged Ramu revolts on Bhushanam but stops upon seeing the picture of the orphanage founder, Jagapathi Rayalu. Soon after, their guardian, Swamiji, reveals the truth. Ramu and Krishna reach Rangapuram in disguise, bring Bhushanam to justice, and teach a lesson to Chukkamma. The film ends with the marriages of Ramu with Janaki and Krishna with Radha.
After the success of the folklore film Kanchu Kota (1967), its producer U. Visweswara Rao and director C. S. Rao decided to make their next venture a contemporary film under the same banner Manjula Cine Syndicate. Kanchu Kota's lead actors N. T. Rama Rao and Devika were retained for the new film, titled Niluvu Dopidi. Visweswara Rao wrote the story which Tripuraneni Maharadhi, the film's screenwriter, read and noticed was strongly influenced by Gundamma Katha (1962). Maharadhi felt Visweswara Rao's story was outdated, so he reworked it to its final form. Visweswara Rao's initial choice for the second male lead was Sobhan Babu, but later chose Krishna at the insistence of Maharadhi, who felt he would match Rama Rao's "jubilance". J. Jayalalithaa was cast as the second female lead, paired alongside Krishna. Kanta Rao, who appeared in Kanchu Kota, was dismayed upon realising there was no role for him in Niluvu Dopidi and insisted on an appearance; he was offered to act as a minister and willingly accepted. The cinematography was handled by G. K. Ramu and the art direction by S. Krishna Rao,[1] while editing was handled by R. Hanumantha Rao.[2] The song "Aadapillalante Hoi Hoi", choreographed by Thangappa, was shot at the Madras-based Golden Studios in September 1967.[1]
The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan.[3]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lokam Idhi Lokam" | Daasarathi Krishnamacharyulu | P. Susheela | 5:18 |
| 2. | "Aadapillalante Hoi Hoi" | C. Narayana Reddy | P. Susheela | 3:58 |
| 3. | "Chukkamma Athayyaro Bul Bul Bul" | U. Visweswara Rao | Ghantasala | 4:30 |
| 4. | "Ayyalara O Ammalara" | Kosaraju Raghavaiah | Nazaar, Vallam Narasimham | 6:21 |
| 5. | "Nee Bandaram Paina Pataaram" | Aarudhra | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, L. R. Eswari | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Nene Dhanalakshmini" | Sri Sri | L. R. Eswari, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Madhavapeddi Satyam | 7:24 |
| 7. | "Jeevulenubadhinalgu Lakshala Chaavu Puttuka lIkkada" | Kosaraju Raghavaiah | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 2:44 |
| 8. | "Ayyindhi Ayyindhi Anukunnadi" | Acharya Aatreya | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:42 |
| Total length: | 37:42 | |||
Niluvu Dopidi was released on 25 January 1968 and became a commercial success.[1]