Gangotri is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language drama film which was released on 28 March 2003 and was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The cinematography was by Chota K. Naidu. The actors Allu Arjun and Aditi Agarwal played the leading roles. This was Allu Arjun's debut as a lead actor and K. Raghavendra Rao's 100th film as a director. Allu Aravind and C. Ashwini Dutt produced the film.
| Gangotri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | K. Raghavendra Rao |
| Written by | Chinni Krishna |
| Produced by | Allu Aravind C. Ashwini Dutt |
| Starring | Allu Arjun Aditi Agarwal Prakash Raj Suman |
| Cinematography | Chota K. Naidu |
| Edited by | Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao |
| Music by | M.M. Keeravani |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Disney India Studios |
Release date |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
The film was later dubbed and released in Malayalam as Simhakutty and in Hindi.
Plot
editNeelakantham Naidu is a big factionist who has a loyal confidant Narasimha, who is willing to give his life for the sake of his master. After many years, Neelakantham's wife Tulasi gives birth to a baby girl, but all the earlier babies born to Neelakantham died due to some unknown reason. The priests advise Neelakantham to name his daughter Gangotri. They also warn Neelakantham that the child has 'jalagandam',[clarification needed] hence they ask him to take Gangotri to the holy place of Gangotri (after which she was named) in the Himalayas and perform 'abhyangana snanam' (bathe with turmeric, milk, etc.) for the next 15 years. After 15 years, Gangotri would be free of any danger. When nobody could entertain the child Gangotri, Simhadri, the son of Narasimha, entertains her with a song. Simhadri becomes a servant and friend to Gangotri.
They grow up together. Simhadri and Gangotri become good friends. In the meantime, Simhadri's mother is shot by a bullet in a trap with bombs while trying to save Neelakantham. When Gangotri attains puberty, her paternal aunt restricts Simhadri from meeting Gangotri as it would be wrong. When Simhadri comes to Gangotri's place clandestinely to meet her, they are caught by Neelakantham. Neelakantham's sister speaks badly about their relationship. Neelakantham then beats Simhadri.
Meanwhile, Narasimha comes to the spot and interferes. This causes a rift between Neelakantham and Narasimha. Neelakantham is misinformed about Narasimha's intentions; hence, he has bombs planted in Narasimha's house. Simhadri is away at that time. When Simhadri discovers that Neelakantham is responsible for the bombing, he goes to Neelakantham's house and challenges that he will marry Gangotri in a year. Then, Simhadri goes to the holy place of Gangotri and waits for his lover to come there for the final sacred bath. They try to elope, but Neelakantham stabs Simhadri with a sword, and Gangotri tries to commit suicide, which makes Neelakantham realize their love. Simhadri then gains consciousness with their favorite flute tune and gets back his love, and they both hug each other.
Cast
edit- Allu Arjun as Simhadri
- Master Teja as Young Simhadri
- Aditi Agarwal as Gangotri (Voice by Sunitha)
- Baby Kavya as Young Gangotri
- Prakash Raj as Neelakantham Naidu
- Suman as Narasimha
- Seetha as Simhadri's mother
- Pragathi as Tulasi
- Telangana Shakuntala as Durgamma
- Brahmanandam as Hindi Lecturer
- Sunil as Exam Invigilator
- Tanikella Bharani as Anjaneya Shastri
- M. S. Narayana
- Subbaraya Sharma
- A.V.S.
- Banerjee
- Sobha
Soundtrack
edit| Gangotri | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 16 February 2003 | |||
| Recorded | 2003 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 30:41 | |||
| Label | Aditya Music | |||
| Producer | M. M. Keeravani | |||
| M. M. Keeravani chronology | ||||
| ||||
The music was composed by M. M. Keeravani and released by Aditya Music.[1] The audio launch was held on 17 February 2003 at Annapoorna Studios.[2] In an audio review, Sreya Sunil of Idlebrain.com unfavourably compared the film's soundtracks to Keeravani's Hindi works but rated several songs four out of five.[3]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nuvvu Nenu" | Chandrabose | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malavika | 4:51 |
| 2. | "Oka Thotalo" | Chandrabose | S. P. B. Charan, Malavika | 3:54 |
| 3. | "Vallanki Pitta" | Chandrabose | Kousalya, D. Aiswarya | 3:45 |
| 4. | "Railu Bandi" | Chandrabose | S. P. B. Charan, Srivardhini | 3:29 |
| 5. | "Mavayyadi Mogalthooru" | Chandrabose | Mano, Smita | 4:29 |
| 6. | "Ganga" | Chandrabose | S. P. B. Charan,Sunitha Upadrashta | 4:16 |
| 7. | "Jevana Vahini" | Veturi | M. M. Keeravani, Ganga, Kalpana | 5:57 |
| Total length: | 30:41 | |||
Reception
editGudipoodi Srihari of The Hindu wrote that "Director Raghavendra Rao renders the film as a lesson to show how various elements in a film can be best used to create a perfect balance" and concluded that "The film is worth watching".[4] Jeevi of Idlebrain.com rated the film three out of five stars and wrote that "Over all its an average film".[5] A critic from Sify wrote that "In spite of all this Raghavendra Rao fails to lift this adolescent love story, as there are no major twist in the plot".[6]
Awards
edit- Allu Arjun won the Nandi Award for Best Debut Hero
- Allu Arjun won the Santosham Best Young Performers Award
- Allu Arjun won the CineMAA Award for Best Male Debut
- Prakash Raj won the Nandi Award for Best Villain[7]
References
edit- ^ "Gangothri – All Songs – Download or Listen Free – Saavn". Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ Jeevi (17 February 2003). "Audio Function of Gangotri". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Audio review of Gangotri - Good but not great". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi. "Centurion makes a mark". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Jeevi (28 March 2003). "Gangotri". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Gangothri". Sify. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)