Megastar Chiranjeevi starrer ‘Rowdy Alludu’ directed by K Raghavendra Rao was a bumper hit at the box office and was a sensation. Presented by Allu Aravind and produced by Dr K Venkateswara Rao, the film stars Shobana and Divya Bharati as female leads. The film which was released on October 18, 1991, has completed 25 years and it still stood as most memorable film in the hearts of Telugu audience and mega fans.
Megastar films such as ‘Kondaveeti Donga’, ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sndari’, ‘Kodama Simham’, ‘Raja Vikramarka’, ‘Stuvartpuram Police Station’ and ‘Gang Leader’ are the kind of Robin Hood, police officer or cowboy genres. The actor’s ‘Rowdy Alludu’ is a full-fledged comedy and action entertainer which totally different.
Chirajeevi plays the dual role auto driver Johnny and famous business magnate Kalyan. The drama played by two roles is very interesting. Kalyan is replaced by Johnny by villains. Later Johnny realises and joins hand with kalyan. How they both captures the villains makes the story of the film.
‘Rowdy Alludu’ is one of the 10 films in which Chiranjeevi played dual role. The actor’s performance is very special among all other films. Kalyan, who is an educated person and industrialist belongs to a class family, looks dignified, while auto driver Johnny is a cheat. Chiranjeevi had given life to both of his completely different roles. Kota with his catchword ‘Veedevadandi Babu…’ and Allu with his catchword ‘Mumbai Lo Anthe…’ have given wonderful performances and impressed everyone with their comedy and powerful villainism. Johnny’s dialogues in butler English like ‘All the best of Luckings, No Touchings, Sittings and Standings…’ stood as main asset to the film. The dialogue ‘Boxlu Baddalaipatai’ has shaken the entire state.
Bappi Lahiri, who provided music for megastar Chiranjeevi’s ‘State Rowdy’ and ‘Gang Leader’, had given wonderful music for this film. The duet song ‘Chiluka Kshemama…’ was a super hit. Johnny introduction song ‘Amalapuram Bulloda…Ne Mumbai Chudala…’ is still the most memorable song ever among mass song. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the present generation heroes can’t catch the speed in the dances of megastar even after using the present technology. The first night song ‘Koro Kori kaluthondi’ is most romantic. Chiranjeevi and Divya Bharati steps were very fresh for the songs ‘Prema Geema Tassadiyya Pakkana Pettu’, ‘Lovely My Hero’ and ‘Taddinaka Tappadika’.
Dr K Venkateswara Rao, who is the producer of ‘Rowdy Alludu’, had hit the hat-trick hit through this film after ‘Nyayam Kosam’ and ‘Chakravarthy’. As the film is completing 25 years, the producer shared few works with the media. He said, “Allu Aravind garu is the main reason and encouragement for producing ‘Rowdy Alludu’. I am doctor by profession and another side I handled the production department in cinema field. Aravind garu has given lot of support to me to balance both of my jobs perfectly. Chiranjeevi and Allu Aravind, both are like my eyes.”
“Post the successes of ‘Nyayam Kosam’ and ‘Chakavarthy’, I produced ‘Rowdy Alludu’ as hat-trick film with Chiranjeevi. Later, I produced ‘Annayya’. All my films ran 100 days successfully. ‘Annayya’ screened for 175 days. Recently released Bunny starrer ‘Race Gurram’ ran 100 days successfully and given most memorable success,” he added.
He confessed, “The trio K Raghavendra Rao garu, Allu Aravind and Chiranjeevi are the main crux of the film. Those three have taken the film to the next level. I stayed nearly 25 years in Madras and now I have been Hyderabad since 15 years.”
“Megastar’s dual role is highlight for the film ‘Rowdy Alludu’. Auti Johnny’s character and his comedy and mannerisms are unforgettable. Chiranjeevi used to discuss everything with K Raghavendra Rao garu, but his body language and mannerisms are his own attempt. The actor also suggested the dialogue ‘Mumbai lo Anthe’ to Allu Ramalingaiah. K Raghavendra Rao’s taking and Satyanand, who provided stories and dialogues to many wonderful films as a writer, have stood as big plus to the film. Bappi Lahiri’s music is the added attraction. ‘Chiluka Kshemama’ song is evergreen. Shobana and Divya Bharathi earned good name through this film,” said producer Dr K Venkateswara Rao.
The producer concluded his chit chat saying, “Presently Megastar is busy shooting ‘Khaidi No. 150’. I visited the sets. Currently, the unit is shooting a song under Lawrence Master’s composition. Megastar Chiranjeevi has the same charisma and is giving wonderful performance with the same energy. He stood as an inspiration to the present generation heroes. His look still reminds us of ‘Gang Leader’. I will soon work with Ram Charan and Allu Sirish.”
