Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Lankeswarudu.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Lankeswarudu
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Lankeswarudu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Dasari Narayana Rao |
| Written by | Dasari Narayana Rao |
| Produced by | Vadde Ramesh |
| Starring | Chiranjeevi Revathi Radha Mohan Babu Kaikala Satyanarayana Raghuvaran |
| Cinematography | K. S. Hari |
| Edited by | G. G. Krishna Rao |
| Music by | Raj–Koti |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Lankeswarudu (transl. Overlord of Lanka) is a 1989 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao, starring Chiranjeevi, Radha, Revathi, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Mohan Babu and Raghuvaran.[1] This was Dasari Narayana Rao's 100th movie.
Plot
[edit]Shankar (Chiranjeevi) and Revathi are siblings and are orphans. To feed his hungry sister, Shankar steals bread from a nearby tea stall. At the same time, there is another orphan (Kalyan Chakravarthy) boy, who is also hungry and looking at them; Shankar gives him a piece of bread. Shankar takes up the responsibility of raising his younger sister and also the orphan. Shankar does everything possible to earn bread and butter for them, and slowly he transforms from a small-time thief to a small-time gang leader. During this time, he helps a village nearby, who treats him like a god. Once he bashes up Dada's (Kaikala Satyanarayana) men, and an impressed Dada offers him work. Shankar rejects working for him, but when dada offers him partnership, then he accepts the proposal. Apart from crime, Shankar is also a good dancer and he teaches dancing too; Radha is a big fan of his. She falls in love with him and sings a couple of quick duets. Shankar realizes that Revati is in love with Kalyan Chakravarthy and he does their wedding. Kalyan Chakravarthy becomes a police officer with the help of Shankar, in one of the crimes he gets some info regarding Dada's involvement. Kalyan Chakravarthy asks Shankar's help in eliminating Dada's group without knowing that Shankar is a partner in the same crime syndicate. Then Shankar decides to quit Dada's company and conveys the same to Dada. Dada accepts the proposal, but he says that he is not responsible if his brother-in-law dies in his hands. So Shankar drops the idea of leaving Dada's company, Dada makes him the head of the syndicate. Rexon and Michael are not happy with this, so they talk another gang into eliminating Shankar and Dada. Meanwhile, Kalyan Chakravarthy and Revathi come to know that Shankar is a criminal; they question him on that front. He tries to explain what scenarios led him to this. But they leave him. Michael , Rexon and their new gang attack and kill Dada and the villagers, whom Shankar helps. Angry, Shankar kills all goons and surrenders himself to his brother-in-law.
Cast
[edit]- Chiranjeevi as Shankar
- Revathi as Shankar's sister
- Radha as Shankar's love interest
- Mohan Babu as Michael
- Kaikala Satyanarayana as Dada
- Raghuvaran as Rexon
- Mahesh Anand as Mahesh
- Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy as Kalyan
- Ramakrishna as Police Chief
- Anandaraj as Ananth Raj
- Naga Babu as Satyam
- Sakshi Ranga Rao
Soundtrack
[edit]| Lankeshwarudu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 24:57 | |||
| Label | Aditya Music | |||
| Producer | Raj–Koti | |||
| Raj–Koti chronology | ||||
| ||||
The music of the film was composed by the duo Raj–Koti. All songs written by Dasari Narayana Rao.[2] All the songs were lapped up well by the public and are remembered even today. The songs "Jivvumani Kondagaali" and "Padaharella Vayasu" became very popular.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jivvumani Kondagali" | Mano, S. Janaki | 4:34 |
| 2. | "Kanne Pilla Vediki" | Mano, S. Janaki | 4:41 |
| 3. | "Padaharella Vayasu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 5:56 |
| 4. | "Po Po Pothe Po" | Mano | 5:46 |
| 5. | "Ey Babu Ey Ey Babu" | Mano, S. Janaki | 3:59 |
| Total length: | 24:57 | ||
Box office
[edit]The film is an average grosser, but the dubbed version of Lankeswarudu in Tamil was a very huge hit and ran for more than 100 days in many centers across Tamil Nadu.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Lankeswarudu
- ^ Lankeswarudu, retrieved 2 July 2020
- ^ Lankeswarudu
External links
[edit]- Lankeswarudu at IMDb
Lankeswarudu
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Production
Development
Lankeswarudu was conceptualized and announced in 1988 as Dasari Narayana Rao's 100th directorial venture, marking a major milestone in his prolific career spanning over 150 films.[6] The project reflected Rao's signature multitasking approach, where he handled the story, screenplay, dialogues, and lyrics while directing multiple films simultaneously across studio floors.[6] The film was produced by Vadde Ramesh under the Vijaya Madhavi Combines banner.[2] Rao's script drew from established conventions of 1980s Telugu action dramas, emphasizing high-stakes conflicts and familial bonds, though specific pre-production details like location scouting remain undocumented in available records.[7] Key milestones included the script finalization by Rao himself, aligning with his hands-on creative process that ensured cohesive narrative execution.[6] Chiranjeevi was brought on board as the lead actor to anchor the film's central role.Casting and crew
Chiranjeevi was selected to portray the protagonist Shankar, leveraging his established reputation as a leading action hero in Telugu cinema during the late 1980s.[8] The female leads were cast with Revathi playing Shankar's sister and Radha as his romantic interest, marking notable pairings in the film's ensemble.[8][5] Supporting roles included Mohan Babu as Michael, the adopted brother who becomes a police officer, Kaikala Satyanarayana as Dada, and Raghuvaran in a key role, contributing to the film's dramatic conflicts.[8][9] Under the direction of Dasari Narayana Rao, the technical crew featured cinematographer LokSingh, responsible for the film's visual style.[8]Plot
Summary
Shankar and his younger sister Revathi become orphans after their family's ship is caught in a storm during a voyage, washing them ashore on an island where they encounter and adopt another orphaned boy.[3] To provide for his sister and the young orphan, Shankar resorts to petty theft, starting with stealing bread from a tea stall to feed the hungry Revathi.[3] As years pass, Shankar evolves from a small-time thief into a formidable gang leader, forging a strategic alliance with the influential gangster Dada, portrayed by Kaikala Satyanarayana. Amid his criminal ascent, Shankar develops a romantic relationship with Radha, whose affection adds a personal dimension to his turbulent life. The adopted orphan grows up to become a police officer named Kalyan, who marries Revathi, creating intense family tension as his law enforcement duties clash with Shankar's underworld activities. This opposition escalates when Kalyan investigates Shankar's gang, forcing Shankar to confront the rift between his criminal world and his family's values.[10] In the climax, Shankar resolves to abandon his life of crime for a normal existence, but threats to his brother-in-law's safety draw him back into action.[10] He confronts the rival goons and internal betrayals within his gang, ultimately prevailing in a fierce showdown before surrendering to the authorities to atone for his past.[2]Themes
Lankeswarudu centers on the theme of redemption, depicting the protagonist Shankar's arduous transformation from a notorious gangster to an individual seeking reform and normalcy. This journey underscores the possibility of personal change despite a life entrenched in crime, as Shankar grapples with the consequences of his past while striving for a better future.[10] Family loyalty and sacrifice form a cornerstone of the narrative, exemplified by Shankar's devoted protection of his sister Revathi, whom he raises as orphans after a tragic shipwreck claims their parents. His actions, including arranging her marriage and surrendering to authorities to honor her wishes, highlight the profound bonds of sibling devotion and the sacrifices made to ensure familial well-being, even amid personal peril.[3] The film offers a critique of the criminal underworld in 1980s India, portraying the moral dilemmas faced by those involved in organized crime, including internal gang conflicts and clashes with law enforcement, such as Shankar's encounters with his police officer brother-in-law. This depiction illustrates the destructive impact of such a lifestyle on personal relationships and society at large. Consistent with director Dasari Narayana Rao's filmmaking approach, Lankeswarudu weaves subtle social and political undertones into its action-drama framework, addressing broader issues of injustice and corruption through the lens of power struggles between criminals and authorities. Rao's style often integrated commentary on societal challenges like gender discrimination and familial dynamics, using the protagonists' arcs to reflect real-world ethical quandaries.[11][12] Romantic subplots involving female leads like Radha and Revathi serve as devices to explore gender roles within the constraints of 1980s Telugu action cinema, where women often embody emotional resilience and support amid male-dominated conflicts, aligning with Rao's interest in women's societal positions.[13]Cast and characters
Lead roles
Shankar, portrayed by Chiranjeevi, serves as the film's protagonist, an orphan who rises from a small-time thief to a powerful gang leader to provide for his family after a shipwreck separates him from his parents.[3] His character arc emphasizes bravery in confronting criminal rivals and loyalty to his loved ones, particularly in protecting his sister amid escalating dangers from his underworld life.[2] Chiranjeevi's performance highlights Shankar's dual nature as a ruthless enforcer and a devoted brother, culminating in pivotal decisions that reflect his internal conflict between crime and redemption.[3] Revathi's character is Shankar's younger sister, named Revathi, an orphan reliant on his protection and support following their family's tragedy.[2] She embodies the emotional core of the family ties, with her well-being driving Shankar's motivations and creating moral dilemmas as his criminal activities threaten their bond.[3] Revathi's portrayal underscores the sister's vulnerability and unwavering affection for her brother, adding depth to the narrative's exploration of sibling loyalty.[2] Radha plays Shankar's love interest, a compassionate woman who enters his life through a chance encounter and gradually influences his hardened persona.[3] Her role softens Shankar's rough edges, introducing romantic elements that humanize the gangster and provide moments of tenderness amid the action.[2] Through duets and supportive interactions, Radha's character highlights themes of redemption and emotional vulnerability in Shankar's journey.[3]Supporting roles
Kaikala Satyanarayana plays Dada, a rival gangster who offers Shankar a partnership that is rejected, leading to ongoing conflicts between their gangs.[4] Mohan Babu portrays Michael, the orphan raised by Shankar who grows up to become a police officer investigating Shankar's and Dada's gangs, unaware of his connection to Shankar until later.[2] Raghuvaran plays Rexon, a member of a rival gang who participates in attacks against Shankar's allies, contributing to the escalating conflicts. Other minor roles, such as goons and villagers, function to populate the underworld scenes and rural settings, respectively, enabling action set pieces and underscoring the protagonist's moral dilemmas between crime and community protection. Brahmanandam appears in a comedic supporting role.[2][5]Music
Composition
The music for Lankeswarudu was composed by the duo Raj–Koti, consisting of Thotakura Somaraju (Raj) and Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti), who entered Telugu cinema as composers in the early 1980s as sons of veteran music directors T. V. Raju and S. Rajeswara Rao, respectively. Known for their melodic compositions that often blended traditional Telugu folk rhythms with contemporary orchestration, Raj–Koti approached the project's score by emphasizing rhythmic vitality suitable for the film's energetic narrative.[14] The recording process took place in 1989, with all lyrics provided by director Dasari Narayana Rao to ensure thematic alignment with the storyline. Prominent playback singers contributed to key tracks, including S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki for "Padaharella Vayasu," Mano and S. Janaki for "Jivvumani Kondagali." The sessions highlighted the duo's multi-instrumentalist skills, incorporating live folk percussion and synthesizers for dynamic texture.[8][15] The soundtrack's compositions were integrated to underscore the film's action sequences with upbeat folk-infused rhythms and to amplify dramatic moments through emotive melodies, such as in sequences featuring heightened tension or romance. The complete album runs for 24:57 minutes and was released alongside the film in 1989 on vinyl and later digital formats. Popular songs like "Jivvumani Kondagali" exemplify the folk influences through traditional Telugu instrumentation.[16]Track listing
The soundtrack of Lankeswarudu features five songs composed by the duo Raj-Koti, with all lyrics penned by Dasari Narayana Rao.[17][18] The tracks include romantic duets and energetic dance sequences that contributed to the film's musical appeal.| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Jivvumani Kondagali" | Mano, S. Janaki | 4:34 | Romantic duet picturized on Chiranjeevi and Radha, highlighting youthful love and became one of the film's most popular tracks.[19][20][21] |
| 2 | "Yey Babu Yeyey Babu" (also known as "Ea Babu Ea Ea Babu") | Mano, S. Janaki | 3:59 | Playful duet sequence emphasizing lighthearted romance.[20][22] |
| 3 | "Padaharella Vayasu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 5:56 | Energetic dance number featuring Chiranjeevi and Radha, noted for its catchy rhythm and widespread popularity.[19][20][23] |
| 4 | "Kanne Pilla Vedhiki" | Mano, S. Janaki | 4:41 | Melodic duet exploring emotional themes of longing.[20][24] |
| 5 | "Po Po Pothe Po" | Mano | 5:46 | Upbeat track with vibrant choreography, adding to the film's celebratory moments.[20][25] |