It’s the film that unveiled the heroic shades of the legendary actor Akkineni Nageshwara Rao. The first film to portray heroism on Telugu screen, an exciting adventurous tale of a courageous man- Keelu Gurram. The film was released the very next day after ANR got married, like a wedding present and went about becoming a huge success. It created records at the box office and became the first movie to create success waves like never before. Also, Keelu Gurram is the first ever Telugu movie to be dubbed in Tamil, which grabbed an amazing success there as well. With all such unique highlights, IQlik Movies takes pleasure in recognizing Keelu Gurram as one of the top Epic 100 Movies of Telugu Cinema.
After the film Balaraju, though ANR enjoyed the image of a glamorous hero, he was recognized as a real star through his heroic role in the film Keelu Gurram, which won him a special place among the audiences. Mirzapuram Raja of Nuziveedu, (Original name – Meka Venkata Ramayya Apparao), directed the film under his own banner Sobhanachala Pictures Limited.
Story Summary:
King Prasena goes hunting to the forest. There he happens to see a demon in disguise of a young beautiful woman called Bhavana Sundari. She makes the king fall into her trap and gets him to marry her. The already married King Prasena falls for her and returns to the kingdom with the demon in disguise. The queen is 9 months pregnant and seeing the queen jealousy sprouts in Bhavana Sundari. The monster in her is set free during the night who feeds on the horses and elephants in the king’s fort, leaving bones all over.
The next day she blames it on the queen and the King blinded by the evil charm, orders his men to kill the queen. They take the pregnant queen to the forest, prickle her eyes leaving her blind but alive. She gives birth to a healthy baby boy and the native forest tribes take care of the queen and her son, Vikrama Simha. He grows up and learns that he is the prince. He begins his challenging journey of taking over the evil Bhuvana Sundari and reaches the Kingdom. During the same time, sculptor Pratap makes a magic horse and exhibits it in the King’s court. The impressed King looks out for an eligible man to fly the magic horse. Vikrama Simha wins the attention of the King by succeeding in flying the horse and the King appoints him as the Chief of Army (Senadhipathi). Later, after settling in the Kingdom, Vikrama Simha makes the King get rid of the devil Bhuvana Sundari by exposing her true colors and finally kills her. He also faces many obstacles all through and finally succeeds in getting back his mother to the Kingdom.
On Screen:
ANR portrayed the role of Vikrama Simha, while the devil in disguise is Anjali Devi. VV. Subba Rao portayed the role of the King and Suryasri played the role opposite to ANR. Relangi, Kanakam, Surabhi, Kamala Bhai, Koteswara Rao played other important roles.
Behind the screen:
Story, Dialogues, Songs written by- Tapi Dharma Rao Naidu.
Music composed by Gantasala.
The song, ‘Kaadu Suma Kala Kaadu Suma’, was a very popular song back in those days.
When approached for the role of Bhuvana Sundari, Anjali Devi turned down the offer at first. But later the director’s wife, one of the famous playback singers Krishnaveni convinced Anjali Devi that she would give the voice for the role. Then, finally Anjali Devi agreed to do the role.
The film was a huge success even in the state of Tamil Nadu and more importantly it was well received by the Tamilians of Sri Lanka too!
On the 18th of February, ANR and Annapurna got married, and the very next day on 19th Feb, Keelu Gurrma got released, which remains as a memorable movie for the couple.
