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Gaayam
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| Gaayam | |
|---|---|
![]() DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Ram Gopal Varma |
| Written by | Posani Krishna Murali (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | Ram Gopal Varma |
| Story by | Ram Gopal Varma Mani Ratnam |
| Produced by | Yarlagadda Surendra |
| Starring | Jagapathi Babu Revathi Urmila Matondkar |
| Cinematography | Rasool Ellore |
| Edited by | Shankar |
| Music by | Sri |
Production company | S. S. Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 136 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Gaayam (transl. The Wound/Injury) is a 1993 Indian Telugu-language political crime thriller film, based on the 1980s Vijayawada Gang Warfare. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and story co-written by himself and Mani Ratnam, it stars Jagapathi Babu, Revathi, Urmila Matondkar and music composed by Sri. Upon its release, the film became commercially successful at box-office and won six state Nandi Awards in 1993.[1] The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Desam.[2]
The film is inspired by The Godfather (1972) which is based on Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather (1969).
Plot
[edit]The film begins with crime lord Durga, who seeks justice for the needy affected due to the failure of the law & order system. Once, a victim approaches Durga, complaining a few manipulators molested his daughter. Durga wallops them, and a newly appointed cop, Bharadwaj, apprehends and acquits him in minutes. On the way, Durga notices his old flame, Anitha, and moves backward. During their college days, the two are lovebirds. Anitha is a journalism student and an idealist, while Durga is the brother of hoodlum Mohana Krishna. She agrees to marry him, provided he should never take his brother's path, which he promises to do.
Meanwhile, Gurunarayana, a wicked corporator & arch-rival of Mohan Krishna, assassinates him for political gain. Enraged, Durga skillfully slays the assailants of the crime and gains control over the city. However, Sarkar escapes as he has been released from prison to cover up the situation. Knowing this, Anitha breaks up with him because she is against his rationalist way. As of today, Anitha is a sincere journalist who always fights to expose inequities, irregularities, & evils in society, and she knits Bharadwaj. Gurunarayana grew up as an MLA for the ruling party. Besides, Durga's cousin Chitra has one side of her feelings and always supports him. Now, Durga also focuses on his political career, and Gurunarayana releases Sarkar from jail to bar him. Then, the power game begins between the gangs. Soon after, Sarkar attacks Durga in the film theater, in which many die. It severely impacts Anitha, who decides to reveal the truth. She meets Durga and tries to mend his ways, but he keeps a deaf ear. Later, she shows her past relationship with Durga to Bharadwaj.
Currently, Durga learns Sarkar's whereabouts and attacks him when he escapes. Durga is behind Sarkar, but he backs off while observing Bharadwaj. Simultaneously, Anitha takes Gurunarayana's interview regarding the chaos at the film theater. At that point, Sarkar reaches Gurunarayana's residence in front of Anitha, and Bharadwaj chases him. Gurunarayana tries to cover up the scene when a brawl arises between Bharadwaj & Gurunarayana. Anitha struggles to reveal the truth, but her editor always hinders her. Afterward, Gurunarayana plots and abducts Chitra when Durga rushes for her rescue. Therein, he is incriminated in a crime and seized. Bharadwaj is about to produce a witness against him, whom Gurunarayana has slaughtered. As a result, infuriated Bharadwaj charges Durga and imprisons him.
The next day, Gurunarayana schemes to become Chief Minister by collapsing the government, for which he conducts high religious riots that leave severe destruction. In these revolts, Bharadwaj encounters henchmen of Gurunarayana. On that note, Gurunarayana berates the department when Bharadwaj slaps him, and he seeks revenge. After facing several consequences, Anitha covers up the incident and submits it to her editor. But he turns out and surrenders all the evidence to Gurunarayana.
At present, Gurunarayana plans a self-bomb blast to gain sympathy on the eve of Ganesh Nimarjan. Alongside, the Police department receives intel regarding Gurunarayana's conspiracy, so to impede, they free Durga and enlist his aid. Bharadwaj is assigned the task of controlling the furor at the event when Gurunarayana announces to Anitha that he intends to kill her husband. Thus, she seeks Durga's help and arrives at the ritual with Chitra. Sarkar plans the bombing from an enclosed movie theater. Durga & Bharadwaj sense it and successfully block him. Gurunarayana also enters the hideout to execute the plan when the bomb explodes at a safe distance without harming people. At last, Durga & Bharadwaj are in a safe space, Sarkar dies, and Gurunarayana is severely injured and sentenced later. Finally, the movie ends with Anitha thanking Durga, and he decides to take a new path.
Cast
[edit]- Jagapathi Babu as Durga
- Revathi as Anitha
- Kota Srinivasa Rao as Guru Narayan
- Sivakrishna as Inspector Bharadwaj
- Urmila Matondkar as Chitra
- Charan Raj as Mohana Krishna
- Tanikella Bharani as Lawyer Saab
- Annapoorna as Chitra's mother
- M. Balaiah as Charigaaru
- Rami Reddy as Sarkar
- Uttej as Yadgiri
- Banerjee as Banerjee
- Narsing Yadav as Narsing
- Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry as Journalist Swamy
- Gummadi
- Tarzan as Srisailam
- Narayana Rao
- Ragini
Production
[edit]The film's story was written by Ram Gopal Varma and Mani Ratnam together, which is inspired from the book The Godfather. Varma faced financial troubles after the failure of Antham and Raatri and was also producing Money that time so he approached Surendra to do a film for his company which eventually became Gaayam.[1]
Varma decided to do Gaayam with Jagapathi Babu after he was impressed with a fight sequence he did for the film Peddarikam.[3] This was the first film that Jagapathi Babu dubbed for himself.[4] The initial version of the script did not have the character of Chitra, it was Ratnam who suggested this character while also suggesting Urmila Matondkar for the role.[3]
The song "Alupannadi Unda" was shot at R. K. Beach and Jagadamba Theatre while the climax was shot at Vikranth Theatre in Hyderabad. The choreography of the song "Cheli Meeda" was done by Urmila herself.[1]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Gaayam | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1993 |
| Recorded | 1993 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 25:45 |
| Label | SURYA Audio |
| Producer | Sri |
The soundtrack was composed by Sri, son of composer Chakravarthy in his debut.[5] Lyrics were penned by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry. Music released on Surya Audio Company.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nizamu Pori" | Mano, Chitra, Eeswar | 5:20 |
| 2. | "Niggadeesi Adugu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 2:06 |
| 3. | "Alupannadi Unda" | Chitra | 5:41 |
| 4. | "Surajyamavaleni Swarajyamendukani" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:56 |
| 5. | "Chelimeeda Chitikedu" | Mano,Chitra | 6:59 |
| Total length: | 25:45 | ||
Awards
[edit]Box office
[edit]The film's success established Jagapathi Babu as one of the popular actors in Telugu cinema.[1]
Sequel
[edit]After the film's success, Ram Gopal Varma and Jagapathi Babu planned to release a sequel titled Gaayam 2. Ram Gopal Varma was the producer in the sequel while Praveen Sri was the director. Vimala Raman was the heroine as Kota Srinivasa Rao again plays as the antagonist.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Sri (16 July 2009). "Retrospect: Gaayam (1993)". Telugucinema.com. p. 1. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (1 March 1996). "Cinema: Kalloori Vaasal/King/Dhesam". The Hindu. p. 27. Archived from the original on 21 December 1996. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b Sri (16 July 2009). "Retrospect: Gaayam (1993)". Telugucinema.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Jagapathi Babu: Favorite Family Hero!". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Sri (16 July 2009). "Retrospect: Gaayam (1993)". Telugucinema.com. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
External links
[edit]Gaayam
View on GrokipediaDevelopment
Scriptwriting and Inspiration
The story for Gaayam was co-written by director Ram Gopal Varma and Mani Ratnam, marking a rare collaboration between the two filmmakers on a Telugu project.[5] [6] Ratnam contributed significantly to the screenplay, adapting the core narrative to explore themes of vengeance, political corruption, and underworld rivalries.[7] Dialogues were crafted by Posani Krishna Murali, whose writing emphasized the raw socio-political tensions of 1980s Andhra Pradesh.[5] The film's plot draws loose inspiration from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather, transposing its mafia family structure and cycles of retribution into the backdrop of factional gang wars in Vijayawada, where real-life feuds between political and criminal elements fueled violence during that era.[8] [9] Varma explicitly cited The Godfather as a conceptual influence, using it to frame the protagonist's transformation from a reluctant participant to a dominant figure in Hyderabad's underworld.[4] This adaptation grounded the story in empirical observations of regional factionalism, avoiding direct replication while prioritizing causal links between personal vendettas and broader power struggles.[8]Pre-production Planning
Pre-production for Gaayam centered on the creative synergy between director Ram Gopal Varma and Mani Ratnam, who penned the screenplay while Varma oversaw direction and production under his banner, Varma Arts.[6] This collaboration reflected a reciprocal exchange of screenplay contributions between the two filmmakers during 1993, alongside their work on Thiruda Thiruda.[10] The planning phase prioritized a realistic socio-political narrative rooted in the 1980s Vijayawada gang warfare, enabling an authentic exploration of criminal and political intersections without reliance on formulaic commercial elements. Key decisions included casting Jagapati Babu as the protagonist Durga, a role that capitalized on his emerging presence in Telugu cinema and positioned him as a commercial lead post-release.[6] Varma's self-production model ensured streamlined oversight, focusing resources on narrative depth over spectacle, consistent with his approach to genre innovation in early 1990s Telugu films. The process culminated in a tight framework that supported the film's critical and commercial success upon its 1993 release.[6]Cast and Characters
Principal Cast
Jagapati Babu stars as Durga Prasad, the film's central protagonist, a disillusioned law student who turns to vigilantism amid systemic corruption and personal vendettas.[1][11] Revathi portrays Anitha, Durga's principled love interest and moral anchor, whose relationship with him underscores themes of redemption.[1][12] Urmila Matondkar plays Chitra, a complex figure entangled in the criminal elements, adding layers to the narrative's exploration of underworld dynamics.[1][13] Kota Srinivasa Rao embodies Guru Narayan, the ruthless don whose influence drives much of the conflict, delivering a performance noted for its intensity in depicting power structures.[1][11]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jagapati Babu | Durga Prasad |
| Revathi | Anitha |
| Urmila Matondkar | Chitra |
| Kota Srinivasa Rao | Guru Narayan |
Supporting Roles
Kota Srinivasa Rao enacted the role of Guru Narayan, a ruthless local MLA and the film's chief antagonist, whose gang murders the protagonist Durga's brother Mohanakrishna, igniting Durga's path of vengeance and descent into organized crime.[1][14] This character embodies political corruption intertwined with mafia influence, drawing from real-life Vijayawada gang dynamics of the 1980s.[14] Urmila Matondkar appeared as Chitra, a secondary female character linked to Durga through a musical sequence and interpersonal dynamics that highlight his pre-transformation life.[1] Her portrayal adds emotional layers to Durga's backstory, featuring in the song "Alupannadi Unda" which underscores themes of fleeting romance amid escalating violence.[15] Sivakrishna played Inspector Bharadwaj, a law enforcement figure navigating the turf war between Durga's emerging syndicate and Guru Narayan's operations, representing institutional response to the gang warfare.[1] Charan Raj portrayed Mohanakrishna, Durga's brother whose assassination by Guru Narayan's men serves as the inciting incident, propelling the narrative from domestic stability to retaliatory vigilantism.[5] Additional supporting actors include Tanikella Bharani as a lawyer aiding the protagonists' legal maneuvers, Rami Reddy in a gangster role, and Gummadi as an elder figure, contributing to the ensemble depiction of Vijayawada's underworld ecosystem.[13][5] These performances, grounded in the film's basis on historical gang rivalries, enhance the realism of the political thriller without overshadowing the leads.[14]Production
Direction and Technical Crew
Ram Gopal Varma directed Gaayam, marking an early entry in his career focused on gritty, realistic portrayals of crime and power dynamics in Telugu cinema. Varma, known for his raw storytelling style influenced by real-world observations rather than conventional melodrama, also co-produced the film with Surendra Yarlagadda under Varma's own banner. The screenplay drew from a story co-authored by Varma and Mani Ratnam, adapting elements reminiscent of The Godfather into a Telugu context centered on gang rivalries and personal vendettas.[1][16] Cinematography was handled by Rasool Ellore, whose work emphasized stark, unflinching visuals to capture the film's tense urban atmosphere and moral ambiguities without stylistic flourishes typical of commercial Telugu films of the era. Editing fell to Shankar Suri, who maintained a taut pace across the 137-minute runtime, prioritizing narrative momentum over extraneous sequences. The original score and soundtrack were composed by Sri Kommineni, featuring five songs that integrated seamlessly with the plot's emotional undercurrents, including tracks like "Gundello Puttindhi" rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.[5][17][5][18] Additional technical contributions included art direction that recreated Hyderabad's underbelly with minimalistic sets reflecting the characters' precarious lives, though specific credits for art and sound design remain sparsely documented in contemporary reviews. The crew's emphasis on authenticity over gloss contributed to the film's enduring reputation for technical restraint amid its thematic intensity.[5]Filming Process and Locations
Principal photography for Gaayam commenced in early 1993 under the direction of Ram Gopal Varma, who employed his signature unorthodox techniques to elicit raw, realistic performances from the cast. In one notable instance, Varma deliberately provoked tension between lead actors Jagapati Babu and Urmila Matondkar by informing Matondkar that Babu harbored dislike for her, resulting in an authentic on-set rift that enhanced the emotional intensity of their scenes. Babu later reflected that, despite the initial strain, this method proved effective in capturing genuine animosity, for which he expressed gratitude toward Varma.[19] The screenplay, penned by Mani Ratnam, influenced Varma's approach to blend political intrigue with visceral action sequences, drawing from real-life Vijayawada gang dynamics of the 1980s, though specific scheduling details remain undocumented in primary accounts.[6] Filming wrapped in time for the film's theatrical release on June 25, 1993.[20] Documented information on exact shooting locations is limited, with production centered in Andhra Pradesh to reflect the narrative's roots in regional underworld conflicts, but no verified site-specific records are publicly detailed.[8]Soundtrack
Musical Composition
The soundtrack of Gaayam consists of five songs composed by Sri Kommineni, with lyrics provided by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.[21][22] The tracks include "Chelimeeda" rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, "Swarajyamvaleni" by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, "Niggadeesi Adugu" by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, "Alupannadi Unda," and "Naizamu Pori."[21] These compositions integrate melodic structures with rhythmic patterns that reflect the film's themes of vendetta and urban conflict, providing contrast to the narrative's intensity.[23] Sri Kommineni also crafted the background score, utilizing orchestral elements to build suspense and underscore action sequences, aligning with the political thriller's gritty atmosphere.[23] The score's restrained tension has been noted for enhancing the film's realism without overpowering the dialogue or visuals.[22] Released under the Lahari Music label, the music contributed to the overall immersive experience of the 1993 production.[22]Track Details and Release
The soundtrack for Gaayam, composed by Sri Kommineni with lyrics primarily by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, was released by Lahari Music in early 1993, ahead of the film's theatrical premiere on April 22, 1993.[1][24] It comprises five melodic tracks blending romantic and situational elements, featuring prominent playback singers of the era such as Mano and K. S. Chitra. The album contributed to the film's cultural impact through its integration with the narrative's emotional and action sequences.[25]| Track No. | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naizamu Pori | Mano, [K. S. Chitra](/page/K. S. Chitra), Eswar |
| 2 | Alupannadi Unda | [K. S. Chitra](/page/K. S. Chitra) |
| 3 | Chelimeeda | Mano, [K. S. Chitra](/page/K. S. Chitra) |
| 4 | Niggadesi Adugu | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 5 | Yedo Tahaa Tahaa | Mano, Swarnalatha |

