Alluri Seetarama Raju (film)

Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao from a screenplay by Maharadhi Tripuraneni. Starring Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala and Jaggayya, the film is produced by Padmalaya Studios marking the 100th film of Krishna. The film depicts the life of Alluri Sitarama Raju, an Indian revolutionary, who is known for his role in the Rampa Rebellion of 1922–24. Alluri, with a band of farmers, tribal leaders and other sympathizers, fought an armed rebellion against the British Raj who violated their land rights and used them for forced labour.
"Alluri Seetarama Raju" is considered to be South India's first CinemaScope film. The film won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for revolutionary compositions rendered by Telugu Marxist poet and composer Sri Sri. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film, and was screened at the International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section, and "Tashkent Film Festival". The film ran for 175 days and ended up becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.
Production.
D. L. Narayana, producer of "Devadasu" (1953), initially sought to make a film based on Alluri Sitarama Raju featuring Sobhan Babu as the title character. However, as the film failed to take off, Narayana had given story to Krishna who was willing to produce it. Filming took place around Chintapalle forest of Andhra Pradesh.
Soundtrack.
Soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.
Reception.
Critical reception.
The film received a positive review from "Andhra Patrika" dated 5 May 1974.
Box office.
The film ran for 175 days. It was the first film to a distributor share of .
Legacy.
The film was screened at the "Patriotic Film Festival" held at Coimbatore in February 2017, jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defense, commemorating 70th Indian Independence Day.