Dharma Daata


Dharma Daata is a 1970 Telugu, drama film, produced by Tammareddy Krishna Murthy under the Ravindra Art Pictures banner and directed by A. Sanjeevi. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Kanchana in the lead roles and music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. The film is a remake of the Tamil movie Enga Oor Raja, with Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa in pivotal roles. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office.

Plot

Raja Raghupathi Rao is a generous Zamindar of Sripuram, well-renowned for his charity & humanity who leads a happy family life with his wife Susheela, sister Lakshmi and two sons Shekar & Chakravarthy. Meanwhile, Bhageswaram Zamindar Bhujangam Rao envious of Raghupathi Rao, wants to grab his property by coupling up his son Raju with Lakshmi. During the time of wedding, Raja Raghupathi Rao unable to pay some part of dowry as he is bankrupt for the charities. Right now, Raghupathi Rao mortgages his palace Srinilayam which he adores as a temple. Knowing it, Bhujangam Rao contempts him by pulling his shoulder cloth. Here enraged Raghunatha Rao challenges to regain his Srinilayam and make Bhujangam Rao touch his feet. Thereafter, Susheela passes away after giving birth to a baby girl Jaya and Lakshmi even refuses to attend the funeral as bullying of Bhujangam when Raghupathi Rao & sons develop animosity towards her. Grief-stricken Raghupathi Rao reaches the city to make money and takes an oath from his children that they will get back Srinilayam. Years roll by, Shekar, Chakravarthy, Jaya grows up, they all work hard and makes three-quarters of money. On the other side, Lakshmi tries to get close to her brother's family, as it is her husband's last wish. So, Lakshmi's daughter Padma makes acquaintance with Shekar and cleverly accommodates herself in their house, hiding her identity. Meanwhile, Lakshmi moves with the marriage proposal of her son Prasad with Jaya to which Shekar refuses. Parallelly, a glimpse love story of Chakravarthy with the princess of Vijayapur Rani. At present, Shekar learns the truth regarding Padma and necks her out. Being cognizant to it, Lakshmi & Padma's intention Bhujangam Rao becomes furious when Padma makes him know that Raghupathi Rao is almost in an edge to win. So, he ploys to snatch Srinilayam, makes the money vendor Seth Dayaram to threaten Raghupathi Rao and also steals their hard-earned money. There, Raghupathi Rao's sons accuse and leave him alone when he becomes mentally disturbed. Thereafter, through Padma, Shekar finds the evil design of Bhujangam Rao and retrieves their money. By the time, insane Raghupathi Rao reaches Sripuram to protect his Srinilayam when Bhujangam Rao intrigues to blast the building. At last, Raghupathi Rao teaches the lesson to Bhujangam Rao with the help of his sons and gets back his property. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriages of Shekar & Padma, Prasad & Jaya and Chakravarthy & Rani.

Cast

Music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. Music released on Audio Company.
S. NoSong TitleLyricsSingerslength
1"Hello Engineer"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala4:41
2"Chinnaari Bullemma"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala, P. Susheela3:48
3"Om Parameswari"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala, P. Susheela4:24
4"Evarivi Neevevarivo"C. Narayana ReddyJayadev, P. Susheela3:43
5"Jo Laali Jo Laali"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala3:59
6"Yevvarikosam Yeruntaru"KosarajuGhantasala4:06
7"O Naana Nee Manase Venna"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala, Jayadev, P. Susheela5:01
8"O Dharma Daata"C. Narayana ReddyGhantasala4:26

Box office

The film ran for 100 days in 12 centers in Andhra Pradesh.

Awards