Yamudiki Mogudu (1988 film): Difference between revisions

1988 Indian film

Yamudiki Mogudu (transl. Overlord to Yama) is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language fantasy film directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty. The film stars Chiranjeevi in a dual role, alongside Vijayashanti and Radha. The supporting cast includes Kaikala Satyanarayana, Allu Ramalingaiah, Rao Gopal Rao, and Kota Srinivasa Rao. The music was composed by Raj–Koti.^[1]

Yamudiki Mogudu was produced by Chiranjeevi’s friends from his film institute days—Sudhakar, Hariprasad, and G. V. Narayana Rao. Released on 29 April 1988, Yamudiki Mogudu was a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time of its release.^[1][2] The film was remade in Tamil as Athisaya Piravi (1990).^[3]

Plot

Kaali is a small town goon who helps his neighbourhood with his earnings. He is good at heart and is loved by everyone in town. He works for Kotayya, whose rival is Gollapudi. Once, when he goes to warn Gollapudi, he meets and falls in love with Radha, Gollapudi’s daughter. When they decide to marry even without Gollapudi’s consent, he gets Kaali killed in an accident and Kaali goes to Yamalogam.

There, he challenges Yama that he was brought wrongly and catches Chitragupta red-handed for cheating. To correct the mistake, Yama and Chitragupta leave for Earth to find Kaali’s body so he can return to Earth. Unfortunately Kaali’s body has been cremated and Kaali refuses to enter another body. However, Yama and Chitragupta convince him to enter into the body of a person that is identical to him. Kaali refuses, taking heed to a warning by Vichitragupta. They then show him Balu in a village and tell him it is his last option.

Kaali learns that Balu was a soft-spoken and non-confrontational man who was often ill-treated by his family. Vijayashanti is his love interest. Balu’s relatives plan to kill him on his 25th birthday as they have to hand over his property. This is when Kaali’s soul is put into Balu’s body and he plays black and blue with them. However, he remembers his own life once he sees Kotayya’s photo in a newspaper and returns to the city. The rest of the plot is woven on how he balances the two lives and two girls, until Yama sees his determination and willingness to save all the people he loves.

Cast

Production

Yamudiki Mogudu was produced by Chiranjeevi’s friends from his film institute days—Sudhakar, Hariprasad, and G. V. Narayana Rao.^[4] Narayana Rao had previously worked with Chiranjeevi as a producer on Devanthakudu (1984). This film marked Chiranjeevi’s third collaboration with director Ravi Raja Pinisetty, following their earlier moderately successful ventures. The script was written by Satyanand.^[5] The film was distributed by Geetha Arts.^[1]

Music

The music was composed by Raj–Koti and released by Aditya Music. All lyrics were penned by Veturi.^[6] The song “Andam Hindolam” was remixed in Supreme (2016).^[7]

Reception

Yamudiki Mogudu was a major blockbuster and became the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time of its release.^[1] It marked director Ravi Raja Pinisetty’s first blockbuster hit. Chiranjeevi’s dual role was well received, and the music, composed by Raj–Koti, was a chartbuster and a key factor in the film’s success.^[5][8]

During the film’s 100-day celebration, part of the proceeds was donated to the families of cotton farmers who had committed suicide that year.^[4]

Legacy

Yamudiki Mogudu was later remade in Tamil as Athisaya Piravi (1990) starring Rajinikanth. The Telugu original was dubbed into Hindi as Chiranjeevi. In 2012, a film titled Yamudiki Mogudu was released with Allari Naresh in the lead, inspired by the original film.^[5]

References

External links