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Devi Putrudu
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| Devi Putrudu | |
|---|---|
Movie poster | |
| Directed by | Kodi Ramakrishna |
| Screenplay by | Kodi Ramakrishna |
| Story by | Sumanth Art Productions |
| Dialogue by | |
| Produced by | M. S. Raju |
| Starring | Venkatesh Soundarya Anjala Zaveri |
| Cinematography | S. Gopal Reddy |
| Edited by | Suresh Tata |
| Music by | Mani Sharma |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹15 crore[3] |
Devi Putrudu (transl. Son of Devi) is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language fantasy-drama film co-written and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. It was produced by M. S. Raju under Sumanth Art Productions banner. It stars Venkatesh, Soundarya and Anjala Zaveri, with music composed by Mani Sharma. The film was not commercially successful.[4][5][6][7] It was dubbed and released into Tamil as Paapa and in Hindi as Aaj Ka Deviputra.[8][9]
Plot
[edit]The film begins with an explanation of the submersion of Dwaraka by a tsunami, setting the stage for the story 5,000 years later. The plot introduces Gajjala Baburao, also known as Baburao (Venkatesh), who lives in Mumbai, surviving through petty thefts and pranks. Meanwhile, Satyavathi (Anjala Zaveri), a foreign-returned woman, visits India to see her sister, Karuna, who married an archaeologist and resides near the archaeological site of Dwaraka. Upon arriving in Bombay, Satyavathi and her uncle Peddagaddala Perayya hire a taxi driven by Baburao, who initially believes Satyavathi is carrying valuable diamonds. Realizing his mistake, Baburao plans to abandon her, but circumstances force him to travel to Dwaraka.
In Dwaraka, Baburao encounters a group of goons and narrowly escapes. He then meets a mysterious young girl named Paapa, who possesses mystical powers. Paapa reveals to Baburao that he has fallen in love with Satyavathi and encourages him to confess his feelings. Satyavathi later shares with Baburao that her sister Karuna has gone missing, prompting Baburao to investigate the mystery. As Baburao delves deeper, he discovers the eerie circumstances surrounding Karuna's disappearance.
The story then shifts to a flashback about Balaram (Venkatesh), an atheist and archaeologist who prioritizes science over faith. Balaram falls in love with Karuna, and they marry. While working near Dwaraka, Balaram becomes intrigued by a mysterious phenomenon in the sea that occurs every Mahalaya Amavasya, generating a powerful torque. Determined to uncover the truth, Balaram dives into the sea during one such event and retrieves an ancient metal box marked with a Trisulam (trident). Unbeknownst to him, a group of foreign mercenaries led by Rahul Dev is seeking the box for its mystical powers.
Balaram soon realizes the box contains a powerful force that could potentially destroy the world if not returned to its rightful place. The mercenaries, determined to harness this power, capture Balaram and Karuna, torturing them to reveal the box's location. Balaram manages to retrieve the box, but during a frantic attempt to save his wife, the box falls into a cave. Balaram returns to confront the mercenaries but is betrayed by his friend Hara Gopal (Suresh), who has allied with them. In the ensuing conflict, Balaram is killed, but not before he tells Karuna where to find the box and instructs her to return it to its original location.
Back in the present, Baburao vows to avenge Balaram's death and rescue Karuna from the foreign mercenaries. With the help of Paapa, he locates the cave where the box fell. A final confrontation ensues as the mercenaries attempt to escape with the box. However, Paapa intervenes, using her powers to stop them. The mercenaries enlist the help of a Fakir to trap Paapa in a bottle, but Baburao manages to push the mercenaries and the box off a cliff. The mercenaries survive, leading to a struggle for control of the box.
As the box opens, a fierce goddess emerges, killing the mercenaries and their followers before returning to the box. Baburao, along with others, ensures the box is placed back in its rightful location. In the aftermath, the bottle containing Paapa is retrieved by a dog named Striker, but Paapa’s spirit ascends to the afterlife. The film concludes with Baburao and Satyavathi welcoming the birth of their child, who bears the same birthmark as Paapa, symbolizing her spiritual connection to their family.
Cast
[edit]- Venkatesh as Balaram & Baburao (Dual role)
- Soundarya as Karuna
- Anjala Zaveri as Satyavati
- Suresh as Hara Gopal
- Kota Srinivasa Rao as Dheyyala Raju (Wizard)
- M. S. Narayana as Peddagaddala Perayya
- Ali as Baburao's aide.
- Babu Mohan as Security Guard
- Ahuti Prasad as Elchuri
- Raghunatha Reddy as Satyavati's father
- Nawab Shah as St. Ohm
- Prema as Goddess
- Abu Salim
- Bhupinder Singh
- Madhu
- Bank Vijay
- Raman Punjabi
- Echuri
- K. R. J. Sarma
- Indu Anand
- Baby Cherri as Balaram's daughter
Production
[edit]The film was launched on 23 September 1999.[10] In an interview with Idlebrain.com, M. S. Raju discussed the challenges of making Devi Putrudu. Following the success of Devi (1999), Raju cast Venkatesh as the lead for this ambitious project. Deeply passionate about the story, Raju decided to proceed with the film, although he later noted such a film could have only been executed by filmmakers like Steven Spielberg or George Lucas. However, as production progressed, he realized that the project demanded far more time, effort, and financial resources than initially expected. Confronted with these challenges, Raju opted to release the film prematurely. Unfortunately, Devi Putrudu underperformed at the box office, resulting in significant financial losses and a setback in Raju's career, compelling him to compensate his buyers and financiers.[11]
Music
[edit]| Devi Putrudu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | 2001 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 29:50 | |||
| Label | Aditya Music | |||
| Producer | Mani Sharma | |||
| Mani Sharma chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music composed by Mani Sharma. Music released on ADITYA Music Company.
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "O Prema" | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Prasanna | 5:11 |
| 2. | "Tella Tellani Cheera" | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao | Udit Narayan, Sujatha | 4:41 |
| 3. | "Okata Renda Muuda" | Veturi | Sukhwinder Singh, Swarnalatha | 5:05 |
| 4. | "Rama O Rama" | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao | Shankar Mahadevan | 5:27 |
| 5. | "Akasamloni" | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra | 4:44 |
| 6. | "Donga Donga" | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao | Shankar Mahadevan | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 29:50 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kanne Kannadi" | Vaali | P. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha | |
| 2. | "Onna Renda" | Vaali | Sukhwinder Singh, Swarnalatha | |
| 3. | "Oruvan" | Vaali | Shankar Mahadevan | |
| 4. | "Alai Kadalil" | Vaali | Kalpana | |
| 5. | "Singaram Konja" | Vaali | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha |
Release
[edit]The film was originally scheduled to release on 11 January but got postponed to 14 January.[13]
Box office
[edit]The film had completed 50 days in 60 centres and 100 days in 3 centres.[5] Nizam distribution rights were sold for a record breaking price of ₹5 crore. But, the Nizam distributors incurred a loss of ₹3 crore.[citation needed]
Reception
[edit]Jeevi of Idlebrain rated the film 4.5 out of 5 and wrote, "If you want to experience the mystical thrill, you got to watch the best special effects movie ever made in India only on the bigger screen with the DTS effect."[14] In 2018, Times of India retrospectively noted of the film, "Some films are bogged down with visual effects, others are light fare. Like said, Kodi Ramakrishna’s ‘Devi Puthrudu’, set in the hidden city of Dwaraka, is a rare union of elegant CGI work and a heavyweight emotional storyline". It included the film in its list of 'Six Telugu films with awe-inspiring visual effects'.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Venkatesh Daggubati film's list - Telugu cinema news - idlebrain.com". www.idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Deviputrudu poster". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com". www.idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ Director Gunasekhar | Open Heart with RK | Full Episode | ABN Telugu. 2 February 2019. Event occurs at 1:01:53. Retrieved 6 November 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Success and centers list - Venkatesh". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ Sreya Sunil. "Telugu Heroines - They drizzled, they sizzled and they fizzled". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ a b "6 Telugu films with awe-inspiring visual effects". The Times of India. 9 July 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Film: Paapa". ChennaiOnline. Archived from the original on 11 March 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Film Review: Paapa". The Hindu. February 2001. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "Fourth Marvel by Kodi - Devi Putrudu". Telugu Cinema. Archived from the original on 4 October 1999. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Jeevi (6 December 2002). "Interview with MS Raju". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
- ^ "Pappa songs download". Raaga. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "Devi Putrudu release postponed to 14th January". Idlebrain. 6 January 2001. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Jeevi. "Movie review - Devi Putrudu". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
External links
[edit]- Devi Putrudu at IMDb
Devi Putrudu
View on GrokipediaSynopsis
Plot
The film opens with a narration detailing the submersion of the ancient city of Dwaraka beneath the sea due to a cataclysmic event approximately 5000 years ago, setting the stage for a tale intertwined with mythology and modern discovery.[2] In the present day, Krishna (Venkatesh), a mischievous petty thief in Mumbai, meets Satyavati (Anjala Zaveri), a woman returning from abroad to visit her sister Karuna in Dwaraka. Posing as a taxi driver, Krishna drives Satyavati to Dwaraka, where their paths lead to encounters with mystical elements. There, Krishna crosses with Paapa (Baby Cherry), a young girl possessing supernatural abilities, who reveals a flashback involving archaeologist Balaram (also played by Venkatesh). Balaram, a staunch atheist married to Karuna (Soundarya), investigates strange sea phenomena near Dwaraka and discovers a mystical box emerging from the ocean depths during an Amavasya night. This ancient artifact contains the divine trishulam with powers of the goddess Devi, capable of averting natural calamities except during specific lunar phases, and becomes the target of pursuit by foreign antagonists who believe it harbors unlimited nuclear-like energy.[4][2] In the flashback, the villains kidnap the pregnant Karuna while hunting the box, leading to Balaram's sacrifice as he hides the artifact and entrusts its secret to her. Returning to the present, Krishna and Satyavati form an alliance amid perilous encounters with the antagonists, who employ black magic and force. The box demonstrates supernatural abilities, such as shielding its possessor and revealing visions of the past. Paapa, as the reincarnation embodying Devi's essence with inherited mystical abilities, aids Krishna in the climactic confrontation against the evil forces. Together, they unleash the goddess's power—manifested through striking visual effects—to vanquish the threats, culminating in the box's restoration to the sea to prevent impending global doom.[2][4]Themes
Devi Putrudu prominently explores the tension between atheism and divine intervention, embodied in the character Balaram's transformation from a skeptical archaeologist who relies solely on scientific reasoning to embracing faith after encountering the mystical forces tied to the goddess. This arc, revealed through flashback, underscores the film's message that rational inquiry can coexist with spiritual belief, particularly when confronted with inexplicable phenomena from ancient lore. The narrative illustrates how personal doubt gives way to conviction, highlighting divine intervention as a catalyst for growth and protection against chaos.[2] The film weaves mythological elements from Hindu traditions, particularly the legend of ancient Dwaraka's submersion and the worship of Devi as a supreme protective deity, serving as metaphors for preserving cultural heritage amid modernity. These ties draw on the epic submersion of Dwaraka attributed to Lord Krishna, reimagined through a mystical artifact that embodies the goddess's power to avert calamities, thereby reinforcing the enduring relevance of mythological narratives in contemporary contexts. Such integrations emphasize Devi's role not just as a divine entity but as a symbol of cultural continuity and resilience.[6] Familial bonds and redemption form a core motif, exemplified by Satyavathi's quest to reunite with her sister Karuna and resolve the mystical conflicts threatening their family, ultimately leading to redemptive harmony. This theme portrays family as a conduit for spiritual awakening and moral rectification, where acts of sacrifice and unity heal generational rifts and restore balance. The resolution through familial devotion underscores redemption as a collective endeavor rooted in love and duty.[2] Subtly interwoven is a commentary on environmental destruction, evoked through the legend of Dwaraka's submersion by a cataclysmic event, paralleling modern concerns over natural disasters and human-induced ecological threats. The film's depiction of an impending global submersion serves as an allegory for the consequences of disregarding natural and divine warnings, advocating for harmony with the environment as essential to survival.[6]Cast and characters
Main cast
Venkatesh portrays the dual roles of Balaram and Krishna in Devi Putrudu. Balaram is an archaeologist skeptical of divine forces who uncovers a mystical box containing a statue of the goddess Devi during an expedition near ancient Dwaraka, inadvertently triggering supernatural events.[2] Krishna, on the other hand, is a street-smart petty thief in Mumbai who becomes involved in the quest after meeting Satyavati and encountering a mystical child, leading him to Dwaraka.[2] Venkatesh's performance in these contrasting characters highlights his versatility, blending intellectual curiosity with comedic mischief, marking a notable foray into the fantasy genre following his string of action and family dramas in the 1990s.[7] Anjala Zaveri plays Satyavati, a NRI who returns to India upon learning of her elder sister Karuna's disappearance after her marriage to an archaeologist.[2] Her role emphasizes determination and emotional depth as she enlists Krishna's help in the search, driving much of the narrative's personal stakes. Zaveri's portrayal adds a layer of vulnerability to the film's adventurous tone, showcasing her as a proactive lead in this Telugu fantasy.[8] Soundarya portrays Karuna, Satyavati's devoted elder sister whose marriage to the archaeologist Balaram leads to her capture by antagonistic forces seeking the mystical artifact.[2] As a character tied to the story's mystical elements, Karuna's arc involves resilience amid peril, with Soundarya's nuanced performance underscoring themes of familial bonds and empowerment. This role further solidified her reputation in fantasy dramas during the early 2000s.[8]Supporting roles
In Devi Putrudu, the supporting cast features actors who bolster the film's blend of fantasy, comedy, and drama through their portrayals of aides, antagonists, and ensemble figures. Ali, credited as Mohammad Ali, serves as the comic relief sidekick to Krishna—one of Venkatesh's dual roles as a thief—delivering humorous interactions that lighten the narrative's fantastical elements and enhance the thief's persona during key escapades.[9][7] M. S. Narayana plays Peddagaddala Peraiah, Satyavati's grandfather, contributing supportive comic moments within the family dynamics and Dwaraka sequences, while Suresh portrays Har Gopal (also listed as the archaeologist's friend), taking on an antagonistic role that involves betrayal and conflict to drive plot tension.[9][7][10] The ensemble includes additional bit players such as Babu Mohan as the security guard and Ahuti Prasad as Elchuri, who appear in Dwaraka-related scenes to support the story's mystical and comedic undertones, alongside Kota Srinivasa Rao as the wizard Dheyyala Raju, adding to the antagonistic and supernatural layers. Baby Cherry plays Paapa, the mystical child who possesses supernatural powers connected to the Devi and the artifact.[9][10][7]Production
Development
Devi Putrudu was conceived by producer M. S. Raju as an ambitious mythological fantasy project tailored for actor Daggubati Venkatesh, building on the success of their 1999 collaboration Devi, which featured similar supernatural elements. Raju envisioned the story as a grand narrative suited for international directors like Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, emphasizing its emotional depth and visual spectacle. The screenplay was co-written by director Kodi Ramakrishna and Raju, focusing on a tale that intertwined modern archaeology with ancient Devi lore inspired by the legendary submersion of Dwaraka.[11] Production launched in late September 1999 under Raju's Sumanth Art Productions banner, with Kodi Ramakrishna at the helm to direct. The project demanded extensive pre-production planning to incorporate 22 minutes of special effects, drawing from Venkatesh's prior mythological roles to appeal to Telugu audiences. However, scripting posed challenges in balancing fantastical elements with narrative coherence, requiring research into Dwaraka's historical and mythical accounts to authenticate the archaeological premise.[2][12] The film's budget reached ₹15 crore, reflecting its scale as one of the costliest Telugu productions at the time and aiming to demonstrate the industry's technical capabilities. Raju later reflected on the development hurdles, noting the story's complexity could have warranted a decade-long execution for full realization, but industry demands for timely releases prompted a rushed timeline amid competitive Sankranti scheduling pressures. This haste contributed to compromises in post-production, ultimately impacting the film's reception.[12][11]Casting
Producer M. S. Raju selected Venkatesh Daggubati for the dual lead role in Devi Putrudu, aiming to leverage the actor's mass appeal in the Telugu fantasy genre.[11] Raju, building on the success of his 1999 production Devi, preferred Venkatesh due to their shared age group and strong professional rapport, especially as Venkatesh navigated a phase of underperforming films prior to this project.[11] For the lead female roles, Raju cast Soundarya and Anjala Zaveri, capitalizing on their prominence from successful 1990s Telugu films. Soundarya, who gained widespread acclaim for her role in the devotional hit Ammoru (1995) and earned the nickname "Savitri of modern Telugu cinema," was chosen for her proven versatility in dramatic narratives.[13] Anjala Zaveri, fresh off her debut success in Preminchukundam Raa (1997) and subsequent blockbusters like Choodalani Vundi (1998), added her rising star power as a leading lady.[14] The supporting cast, including comedian Ali alongside actors like Kota Srinivasa Rao and M. S. Narayana, was assembled to complement the film's fantasy elements with humor and character depth.[7] Casting announcements for the principal roles coincided with the project's pre-production in late 1999, shortly after the scripting phase.[11]Filming
Principal photography for Devi Putrudu took place primarily in Hyderabad studios, where interior scenes and controlled environments were captured to facilitate the film's blend of dramatic and fantastical elements.[2] The production team also utilized coastal areas near Dwaraka to shoot exterior sequences, ensuring authenticity in depicting the mythical submerged city central to the storyline.[2] The shooting schedule spanned from late 1999 to early 2000, allowing for meticulous planning amid the film's ambitious scope. However, production faced delays due to monsoon rains, which disrupted outdoor sea sequences and required rescheduling to capture the necessary atmospheric conditions.[15] Action scenes involving the mystical box relied on practical effects, such as mechanical props and on-location stunts, to create tangible tension without over-relying on post-production enhancements. Director Kodi Ramakrishna emphasized a balanced pacing approach, methodically interweaving dramatic emotional beats with fantasy sequences during filming to maintain narrative flow and viewer engagement.[16]Visual effects
The visual effects in Devi Putrudu marked a notable advancement in Telugu cinema's handling of mythological fantasy, particularly through the integration of CGI to visualize supernatural and historical elements. Key sequences, such as the manifestation of the goddess Ammavaru—sent by Lord Krishna to avert global catastrophe—and the catastrophic submersion of the ancient city of Dwarka beneath the sea following a massive tsunami, relied heavily on digital enhancements created by local VFX teams. Visual effects supervisor V.S. Elangovan, along with artist Kartik Dayanand Boddapati, led the efforts to bring these ethereal and cataclysmic events to life, employing CGI techniques that were innovative for a 2001 Indian production.[7][17] These effects extended to dynamic depictions of mystical powers, including the goddess's sacred abode depicted as a charged metallic artifact capable of countering destructive forces like a raging inferno, and the enigmatic sea vortex that draws in birds and reveals glimpses of the lost underwater realm. The film's underwater photography, though limited to select shots, combined with CGI to evoke the mystery of Dwarka 5,000 years after its demise, creating immersive visuals that blended practical elements with digital overlays. This approach was credited with elevating the narrative's ethnic mysticism and mythological depth, positioning Devi Putrudu as a milestone in special effects for regional cinema.[6][17] Director Kodi Ramakrishna's decision to incorporate extensive visual effects distinguished the film from contemporaries, aligning it with his broader oeuvre of VFX-driven projects like Ammoru and Anji. The results were lauded for their Hollywood-inspired quality, with local teams earning praise for achieving high-caliber graphics that captivated audiences and set benchmarks for rendering complex fantastical scenarios in Telugu fantasy films.[18][17]Music
Composition
The soundtrack of Devi Putrudu was composed by Mani Sharma for this Telugu fantasy film, where he skillfully blended folk, devotional, and orchestral styles to evoke a mystical atmosphere suited to the story's mythological elements.[19] This fusion incorporated traditional Telugu folk rhythms with devotional chants and sweeping orchestral arrangements, creating an immersive sonic landscape that underscored the film's themes of divine intervention and heroism.[19] The recording process took place in 2000, prior to the film's release, allowing Sharma to experiment with layered instrumentation during sessions that captured the epic scale of the narrative.[19] Lyrics were penned by Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao and Veturi Sundararama Murthy, who focused on mythological motifs to align with the plot's spiritual undertones, infusing the songs with poetic references to devotion and cosmic battles. The album comprises 6 tracks with a total runtime of 29:50 minutes, each crafted to synchronize with key emotional and dramatic beats in the storyline, such as transitions from human struggles to divine revelations.[20] Producer M.S. Raju provided significant input, directing Sharma to amplify the music in sequences depicting Devi worship to heighten their emotional and ritualistic impact, ensuring the score reinforced the film's central theme of maternal divinity.[19] This collaborative approach resulted in a cohesive auditory experience that complemented the visual fantasy without overpowering the dialogue-driven mythological progression.[19]Track listing
The soundtrack album for Devi Putrudu was released by Aditya Music in 2000.[21] The album features six tracks composed by Mani Sharma, with lyrics by Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "O Prema" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Prasanna | 5:11 | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao |
| 2 | "Tella Tellani Cheera" | Udit Narayan, Sujatha Mohan | 4:41 | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao |
| 3 | "Okata Renda Muuda" | Sukhwinder Singh, Swarnalatha | 5:05 | Veturi Sundararama Murthy |
| 4 | "Rama O Rama" | Shankar Mahadevan | 5:27 | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao |
| 5 | "Akasamloni" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 4:44 | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao |
| 6 | "Donga Donga" | Shankar Mahadevan | 4:25 | Jonnavithhula Ramalingeswara Rao |
