Maanavudu Daanavudu story at a glance

Maanavudu Daanavudu turned Sobhan Babu’s career to new brilliance by earning the appreciation of both class and mass audience. Based on the English Novel Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, Sobhan Babu excelled in performing as both a sensitive Doctor Venu and a Rowdy named Jagan. His dialogue modulation, body language and gait for the character of Jagan attracted the youth of those days. This character’s traits influenced Sobhan Babu as an actor in his future films as well. Mannerisms such as speaking in rapid speed, repeating certain lines with varying modulations became Sobhan Babu’s trademark style.

Story:
The entire storyline is Sobhan Babu centric. Dr.Venu (Sobhan Babu) is a good Samaritan who establishes a clinic in slums and offers medical service to the poor. He loves a girl in college (Sarada) and marries her. Despite being a pleasant person, Venu could be quite serious individual too. Whenever he is alone, his gruesome past haunts him. He has a troubled childhood with poverty and losing his family members. His parents are no more but he has only one sister (Krishnakumari). A philanthropic Baba  (Mukkamala) near their house becomes their helping hand in family. Venu witnesses an unfortunate incident where a group of goons rape his sister during his childhood. A distraught Venu grows under the guidance of Baba and studies medicine becoming a successful Doctor. But this gruesome incident still haunts him. In the mean time, a rowdy named Jagan is believed to hunt criminals during the nights all over the city. He wanders over the clubs and eliminates all the goons in the city. In the end, it is known that Jagan is none other than Dr.Venu who disguises himself in order to avenge his sister’s injustice.

Performances:
Sobhan Babu is incredible as the good natured Dr.Venu and the rash rowdy Jagan. His body language, diction, looks and dialogue delivery is totally contrasting in the two roles. Sarada is neat as the love interest of Venu and they share a great on screen chemistry. Raja Babu generates great laughter as the assistant of Dr.Venu. Krishnakumari is adequate as the sister of Dr.Venu.  Mukkamala delivers a fine performance as Baba.

Technical Aspects:
The story of the film is suspense filled and the writing makes sure that it doesn’t reveal till the end. Madhukuri Johnson wrote some great lines for the film which reflect the nativity. Music became highly popular with ‘Anuvu Anuvu Velasina Deva’, ‘Pachani Mana Kapuram’,’Evaru Veeru’,’Aakaliki Ammudupoyina Aparanji Bommalu’, ‘Koppu Chudu Koppandham Chudu’ and ‘Manche Kaada’ becoming all time hits. P.Chandrasekhara Reddy’s direction is crisp and exemplary.

Cast and Crew:

Venu/Jagan- Sobhan Babu

Venu’s Sister- Krishnakumari

Venu’s Lover- Sarada

Baba- Mukkamala

Jagan’s Assistant- Rajababu

Dialogues- Modhukuri Johnson

Lyrics-Dr.C.Narayana Reddy, Ushasri, Modhukuri Johnson

Music- Ashwatthama

Producer- P.Chinnappa Reddy

Direction- P.Chandrasekhara Reddy

Banner- Ushasri Productions

Release Year- 1972