Drsuruchipuri at 19:57, 13 March 2026

2026-03-13T19:57:59Z

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{{For|the famous composer|Annamacharya}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Annamayya
| image = Annamayya_(film).jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| writer = '''Screenplay''': K. Raghavendra Rao '''Story''' & '''Dialogues''': [[J. K. Bharavi]]
| producer = [[V. Doraswamy Raju]]
| director = [[K. Raghavendra Rao]]
| starring = [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna Akkineni]] [[Mohan Babu]] [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] [[Ramya Krishna]] [[Roja Selvamani|Roja]] [[Bhanupriya]] [[Kasthuri (actress)|Kasthuri]]
| music = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| cinematography = [[A. Vincent]] [[Ajayan Vincent]] {{small|('''Special''' '''Effects''')}}
| editing = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| studio = [[VMC Productions]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1997|05|22}}
| runtime = 147 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
}}
'''''Annamayya''''' is a 1997 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Hagiography|hagiographical film]] directed by [[K. Raghavendra Rao]] and produced by [[V. Doraswamy Raju]] under the [[VMC Productions]] banner. The film portrays the life of the 15th century composer [[Annamacharya]], played by [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna Akkineni]] who features alongside an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Mohan Babu]], [[Suman (actor)|Suman]], [[Ramya Krishna]], [[Bhanupriya]], [[Roja Selvamani|Roja]], and [[Kasthuri (actress)|Kasthuri]]. The film has score and soundtrack composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]]. Upon release, the film received positive reviews and won eight [[Nandi Awards]], three [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]] and two [[National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |title=జమీన్ రైతు |language=Telugu |work=Zaminryot |url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1997/Jun/6-Jun-1997.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913151600/http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1997/Jun/6-Jun-1997.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2016 |date=6 June 1997 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinegoer.com/annamayya.htm|title=CineGoer.com - Box-Office Records And Collections - Two Successive Silver Jubilees|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127222107/http://www.cinegoer.com/annamayya.htm|archive-date=27 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://telugucinemacharitra.blogspot.ca/2011/01/andhra-pradesh-state-nandi-film.html|title=తెలుగుసినిమా చరిత్ర: Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Film Awards(1997-2000)|date=7 January 2011}}</ref> The film was featured in the Indian panorama mainstream section at the [[29th International Film Festival of India|29th IFFI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=29IIFA.pdf|title=Directorate of Film Festival|access-date=30 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115026/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=29IIFA.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Plot==
{{external media
| width = 210px
| float = left
| video1 = {{YouTube|NOFpbJkrFX4|Annamayya}}.
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[[Vishnu]] listens to requests from his wife [[Lakshmi]], that there weren't many people singing songs in praise of the Lord. In response, the Lord sends his sword [[Nandaka]], to be born as [[Annamacharya]] (Annamayya) to a childless couple - Narayana Suri and Lakkamba in [[Tallapaka, India|Tallapaka]] village, [[Kadapa District]]. Growing up as a normal young man, Annamayya loves his 2 cousins Timakka & Akkalamma who thinks that they are the most beautiful creations of God.

Lord Vishnu appears in front of Annamayya in disguise and accepts a challenge from him to show someone more beautiful than his cousins - God in the form of Lord Venkateswara in a temple in his village. Upon discovering the beauty of the Lord, Annamayya is lost in a different world and ends up making a pilgrimage to [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] without planning or informing his parents. As he finds pilgrims entering the holy hills (Saptagiri- seven hills), he embarks on his journey towards Him. But, he is lost and is helped by Goddess Lakshmi herself in the form of an old lady by informs him that his footwear was preventing his progress. Also weakened by [[fasting]], Annamayya accepts [[Laddu]] - a Prasadam from the food consecrated by the Lord himself. Upon reaching [[Tirumala]], he is enthralled by the beauty of God and settles there to write and sing hymns in praise of the Lord.

Meanwhile, Annamayya's parents get worried regarding Annamayya's whereabouts. Then, the Lord [[Venkateshwara]], hearing the prayers of Lakkavaamba (Annamayya's mother), himself comes in the disguise of a Hunter along with his consorts and tells them that Annamayya lives in [[Tirumala]]. Then, Annamayya's parents, cousins, aunt, uncle, and his 2 friends come to [[Tirumala]] and watch him worship the Lord.

When Annamayya is asked to marry his 2 cousins, he refuses saying that his life is dedicated to the service of the Lord and marriage would become a hindrance to it. But, he is then convinced by the Lord himself who has now taken the form of a [[Brahmin]]. The Lord personally conducts the wedding of Annamayya with his cousins - Timakka and Akkalamma. After the birth of the children, Annamayya settles in Tirumala leaving his children in the care of his parents. Through encounters with the local administrator (Tanikella Bharani), he comes in contact with the ruler of the country - Saluva Narasimha (Mohan Babu), who becomes a fan of his songs and makes him the court poet. On hearing a ''Sringara Sankeertan'', the King and Queen (Roja) request that Annamayya sing a Sankeertan in their praise as well, something Annamayya rejects as he would sing only for the Lord and not for any human being. Jailed for not heeding the King, Annamayya invokes the Lord in the form of ''[[Narasimha]]'' (human-lion), and to the surprise of the King, jailors, and everyone - the iron rods burst into flames and release Annamayya.

Realizing that their husband was born for humanity and Lord's service, his wives give up their lives freeing Annamayya of any earthly attachment. Annamayya, realizing the divine order, takes to writing poems and Sankirtans and reaches old age. Priests and Brahmins unhappy with his social inclusion of lower caste people in the temple try to destroy his writings. When Annamayya decides to sacrifice his life because all his works were lost, a significant portion of his work is saved by Lord's grace from the fire. Saluva Narasimha and Annamayya's sons convert his work from palm to copper inscriptions thus preserving his works for eternity. On completion and dedication of the work in the temple sanctum sanctorum, the Lord and his consorts appear one last time, in their divine form. The Lord grants salvation and Annamayya's soul returns as Nandaka.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]] as [[Annamayya]]
* [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] as [[Lord Venkateshwara]] (Voice Dubbed By [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]])
* [[Mohan Babu]] as [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya|Saluva Narasimha Rayalu]]
* [[Bhanupriya]] as [[Alamelu|Goddess Padmavati]]
* [[Ramya Krishna]] as [[Timmakka]] (Voice dubbed by [[Roja Ramani]])
* [[Kasthuri (actress)|Kasthuri]] as Akkalamma (Voice dubbed by Shilpa)
* [[Roja Selvamani|Roja]] as Saluva Narasimha Rayalu's wife (Voice dubbed by Roja Ramani)
* Sri Kanya as [[Bhudevi|Goddess Bhoodevi]] (Voice dubbed by Shilpa)
* [[M. Balayya]] as Narayana Suri
* [[Shubha (actress)|Subha]] as Lakkamamba
* [[Kota Srinivasa Rao]]
* [[Brahmanandam]] as Pandit
* [[Babu Mohan]]
* [[Tanikella Bharani]]
* [[Mallikarjuna Rao (actor)|Mallikarjuna Rao]]
* [[Amanchi Venkata Subrahmanyam|AVS]]
* [[Gundu Hanumantha Rao]]
* [[Chitti Babu Punyamurthula|Chitti Babu]]
* [[Ananth Babu]]
* [[Suthi Velu]]
* [[Jenny (actor)|Jenny]]
* "Fight Master" Raju
* Siva Parvathi
{{colend}}

==Reception==

Upon its release, the film became a cult classic and remains one of the most celebrated Telugu movies ever made. Although certain aspects of [[Annamacharya|Shri Tallapaka Annamacharya's]] life story were modified, these creative liberties ultimately contributed to the film’s widespread appeal and commercial success.<ref>Annamayya film Review in IMDB.com</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Annamayya
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1997
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Soundtrack Stereo
| length = 65:51
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| producer = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| prev_title = [[Devaraagam]]
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = [[Surya Putrulu]]
| next_year = 1997
}}

Music released on [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] Audio company. The audio was initially released in two volumes (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) in the [[Audio cassette]] format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aptalkies.com/movie.php?id=685|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140513171700/http://www.aptalkies.com/movie.php?id=685|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 May 2014|title=Annamayya (1997) Telugu Movie Review, Cast and Crew, Posters, Wallpapers, Audio covers, Song books, Full Movie, Video Songs, Lyrics, Story}}</ref> The film album is the highest sold Telugu music album till date.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/keeravani-sriramadasu.html |title=Keeravani on Sri Ramadasu songs - Telugu and Hindi film music director |access-date=12 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302083555/http://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/keeravani-sriramadasu.html |archive-date=2 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most of the tracks which demanded main lead voices were recorded by S. P. Balasubrahmaniyum & Chitra, who were then household singers of Telugu film industry & also were acclaimed for making this album immortal with their golden voices. The rest other singers like M. M. Keeravani, Mano, Sujatha, Srilekha, Purna Chander, Anuradha Sriram & Renuka recorded almost all the backing vocals in the entire album. Many krithis of Annamaachaarya were brought back to life again through this album, say Nigama Nigamantha Krithi sung by SPB & Chitra still holds a special place in every Telugu film lover's hearts.

{{track listing
| headline = Telugu Track listing
| all_music = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| total_length = 65:51
| length_credits = yes
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Vinaro Bhagyamu
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Srilekha Parthasarathy|Srilekha]], [[M. M. Keeravani]], [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Anuradha Sriram]], Anand, [[Gangadhara Sastry|Gangadhar]], Renuka, Purnachandar, Anand Bhattacharya
| lyrics1 = [[Annamacharya|Annamayya Keerthana]]
| length1 = 3:32
| title2 = Telugu Padaniki
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan, Renuka
| lyrics2 = [[Veturi]]
| length2 = 3:56
| title3 = Ele Ele Maradala
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan, Anuradha Sriram
| lyrics3 = Veturi
| length3 = 4:26
| title4 = Padhaharu Kalalaku
| extra4 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| lyrics4 = [[J. K. Bharavi]]
| length4 = 2:16
| title5 = Kalaganti Kalaganti
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics5 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length5 = 2:53
| title6 = Adhivo Alladivo
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics6 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length6 = 3:57
| title7 = Podagantimayya
| extra7 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics7 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length7 = 4:10
| title8 = Vinnapalu Vinavale
| extra8 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[K. S. Chithra]], Renuka, Srilekha
| lyrics8 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length8 = 4:08
| title9 = Sobhaname Sobhaname
| extra9 = Mano
| lyrics9 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length9 = 1:32
| title10 = Moosina Muthyalake
| extra10 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, Sujatha Mohan
| lyrics10 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length10 = 3:22
| title11 = Asmadeeya
| extra11 = K. S. Chithra, [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| lyrics11 = Veturi
| length11 = 3:57
| title12 = Kondalalo Nelakonna
| extra12 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics12 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length12 = 1:31
| title13 = Emoko
| extra13 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics13 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length13 = 4:22
| title14 = Palanethrala
| extra14 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics14 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length14 = 1:26
| title15 = Nigama Nigamantha
| extra15 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| lyrics15 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length15 = 3:59
| title16 = Govindaa Sritha
| extra16 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M. M. Keeravani, Anand Bhattacharya, Anuradha Sriram
| lyrics16 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length16 = 8:02
| title17 = Nanati Bathuku
| extra17 = Mano
| lyrics17 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length17 = 1:06
| title18 = Dachuko Nee Padaalaku
| extra18 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. P. Sailaja]]
| lyrics18 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length18 = 0:46
| title19 = Antharyami
| extra19 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
| lyrics19 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length19 = 4:15
| title20 = Brahma Kadigina Padamu
| extra20 = K. S. Chithra, M. M. Keeravani, Poorna Chandar, Anuradha Sriram, Sujatha Mohan, Radhika
| lyrics20 = Annamayya Keerthana
| length20 = 2:05
}}

==Box-office==
The film turned out to be a Blockbuster with a 100-day run in 42 centres.<ref>[https://idlebrain.com/celeb/bio-data/bio-nag.html Telugu cinema - Nagarjuna - bio data]</ref> The film had a 176-day run in 2 centres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinegoer.com/nagarjuna175.htm |title=CineGoer.com - Box-Office Records And Collections - Nagarjuna's 175-Day Centres List|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223040803/http://www.cinegoer.com/nagarjuna175.htm |date=23 February 2007|work=Cinegoer|archive-date=23 February 2007}}</ref> The film was a big hit in Chennai & Bangalore too.<ref>[https://www.rediff.com/movies/sep/05nag.htm#05anna6 Rediff On The Net, Movies: Nagarjuna plays a religious poet in Annamayya]</ref>

The film was dubbed into Tamil as ''Annamacharya'', into Malayalam as ''Annamacharya'' and in Hindi as ''Tirupathi Sri Balaji''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sify.com/movies/telugu/fullstory.php?id=14302904 |title=`Annamayya` in Hindi! - Sify.com |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=31 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204431/http://sify.com/movies/telugu/fullstory.php?id=14302904 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totaltollywood.com/articles/nag3.html |title=TotalTollywood - Destination Telugu Cinema - One stop for Telugu Movies and Music|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104172723/http://www.totaltollywood.com/articles/nag3.html |date=4 January 2007|archive-date=4 January 2007|work=Total Tollywood}}</ref>

==Awards==
;[[45th National Film Awards]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction|Best Music Direction]] - [[M. M. Keeravani]]
* [[National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)|Special Mention (actor)]] - [[Akkineni Nagarjuna|Nagarjuna]]

;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu|Best Film – Telugu]] - [[V. Doraswamy Raju]] Raju<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestFilmsWinners |title = 45th Filmfare South Best Films Winners : Santosh : Free Download & St… |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170205065518/https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestFilmsWinners |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director – Telugu]] - [[K. Raghavendra Rao]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestDirectorAwards |title = 45th Filmfare South Best Director Awards : Santosh : Free Download & … |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170205072547/https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestDirectorAwards |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu|Best Actor – Telugu]] - Nagarjuna

;[[Nandi Awards]] - 1997<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020 | language=Telugu}}</ref>
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film - Gold]] - V. Doraswamy Raju
* [[Nandi Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - K. Raghavendra Rao
* [[Nandi Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Nagarjuna
* [[Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist|Best Male Dubbing Artist]] - [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
* [[Nandi Award for Best Costume Designer|Best Costume Designer]] - Thota Babu Rao
* [[Nandi Award for Best Makeup Artist|Best Makeup Artist]] - T. Mallikarjuna Rao
* [[Nandi Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]] - V. Bhaskara Raju
* [[Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematographer]] - [[A. Vincent]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0249361|Annamayya}}

{{K. Raghavendra Rao|state=collapsed }}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Annamayya (Film)}}
[[Category:1997 films]]
[[Category:1997 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Raghavendra Rao]]
[[Category:Indian musical films]]
[[Category:Indian epic films]]
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional films]]
[[Category:1990s biographical films]]
[[Category:1997 musical films]]
[[Category:Indian supernatural films]]
[[Category:Paranormal films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about composers]]
[[Category:Films set in the 15th century]]
[[Category:Films about the caste system in India]]
[[Category:Biographical films about religious leaders]]
[[Category:Hindu mythological films]]
[[Category:Films based on Indian folklore]]
[[Category:Indian mythology in popular culture]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tirupati]]
[[Category:Films set in Tirupati]]

Annamayya film - Revision history

Drsuruchipuri at 19:57, 13 March 2026