There were a heap of films made in the backdrop of Indian Freedom struggle and the inspiring stories of rebellion in yesteryear era of Telugu Cinema. Films like Palnati Yuddham, Bobbili Yuddham, Tenali Ramakrishna, Mahamantri Timmarusu, Vishwanatha Naayakudu and so on come into this category. From these, Tenali Ramakrishna and Palanti Yuddham were made twice. Mahamantri Timmarusu and Vishwanatha Naayakudu’were also from the Sri Krishnadevaraya Empire backdrop (‘Mallishwari’ also features the Emperor Srikrishnadevaraya but as it is a fictional love story it doesn’t come under this category.) Alluri Seetarama Raju and Andhra Kesari were made only once. Coming to Bobbili Yuddham, though the story with the same title came only once, another film ‘Tandrapaparayudu’ was made with the similar story backdrop.
Historians recognize Bobbili Yuddham story as the era which featured the rebellion on French rule from smaller communities hundred years before the first war of independence in 1857. The history of Bobbili Yuddham in particular features the story between two friendly neighboring kingdoms namely Bobbili and Vijayanagaram and the rift generated by French Rulers in between them using the “Kodi Pandem” sport prevalent those days. In the World of Folklore, Rani Mallamma’s dedication towards her husband, Vengala Rayudu’s prestige and Tandra Paparayudu’s gallantry remain untarnished. They were retold in Harikadha and Burra Kadha forms of art as well.
By taking the base from these stories and real facts, Republic Production House made “Bobbili Yuddham” with Sitaram as Producer and Director. It was released on 4th December 1964. Acting stalwarts like Sr.NTR, Bhanumathi, Sitaram, SVR, Jamuna and Rajanala acted in it. They wanted to cast ANR for the role of Vengal Rayudu, but as he was not available the producer cum director for the film- Sitaram had to act in the role. Sr.NTR and Bhanumathi acted phenomenally in the film and Jamuna’s beauty added to the value of the film. SVR’s entry as Tandra Paparayudu in the second half mesmerized the audience. S.Rajeshwara Rao scored music for the film and it was a musical hit. Songs like ‘Sri Kara Karunala Vaala Venugopala’, ‘Ooyalalu Ooginadoyi Manasu’ (Bhanumathi), ‘Mutyala Chemma Chekka’ (P.Suseela), ‘Ninu Chera Manasayera’, ‘Andala Ranive’, ‘Muripinche Andale’ (Ghantasala,P.Suseela) enthrall the audience even till date.
With the same storyline Dasari Narayana Rao directed Tandra Paparayudu and it was released in color in 1986. Krishnam Raju, Jayaprada, Jayasudha, Mohan Babu, J.V.Somayajulu, Kota Srinivasa Rao acted in the film. It is interesting to note that S.Rajeshwara Rao scored the music for this version as well. The song ‘’Abhinandana Mandara Maala” sung by K.J.Yesudas and P.Suseela became quite popular too.
