Bhale Thammudu (1969) – Titbits

Not many are aware that many of NTR’s films are based on Bollywood’s hits. That he acted in remakes of Amitabh starrer Zanjeer (Nippulanti Manishi), Don (Yugandhar) is a fact known to many. But did you know that this great actor also acted in remakes of Hindi films of the 60s. Bhale Tammudu was one such movie.

Bhale Tammudu was a remake of Shammi Kapoor starrer China Town. The later had Shakeela and Helen as its leading women. Bhale Tammudu came to screens on 18th September, 1969. Directed by B A Subbarao, this film was produced by Atluri Pundarikakshayya. Subbarao was the director who gave NTR his first lead role in Palletori Pilla (1950).

In Bhale Tammudu, NTR was paired with K R Vijaya, while Girija was the second lead. Bollywood’s evergreen item bomb Aruna Irani forayed into Telugu films with this movie.

This film’s music was a huge phenomenon by itself. TV Raju who was a close friend of NTR scored the music, though he borrowed three songs from the original. All songs were sung by Mohammad Rafi in Telugu and were penned by C Narayana Reddy. This was Rafi’s first Telugu film wherein he sang all songs. Before that he sang a song for one Telugu movie. 

Nede Ee Nade Karuninche Nannu Chelikade was the popular number in this film. This song was later remixed in Balakrishna starrer Allari Pidugu by music director Manisharma. Yentha Vaaru Gaani (Telugu version of ‘Baar Baar Deko, Hazar Baar Dekho’ ) was also a hit number.

Gautham Menon used this line as a title for a Ajith starrer movie (Yentha Vaadu Ganie). And this film was also base for Naga Chaitanya starrer Tadakha.