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{{short description|1964 film by Adurthi Subba Rao}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Dagudu Moothalu
| image = Dagudu Moothalu.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| screenplay = Adurthi Subba Rao
| story = [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]]
| producer = D. B. Narayana
| director = [[Adurthi Subba Rao]]
| starring = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]<br />[[B. Saroja Devi]]
| music = [[K. V. Mahadevan]]
| cinematography = P. L. Roy
| editing = T. Krishna
| studio = D. B. N. Productions
| distributor = Navayuga Films
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1964|8|21}}
| runtime = 139 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Dagudu Moothalu''''' ({{trans|Hide and seek}})<ref>{{Cite book |last=Narwekar |first=Sanjit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UYUjAQAAIAAJ&q=Dagudu+Moothulu+hide+seek |title=Directory of Indian film-makers and films |publisher=Flicks Books |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-948911-40-8 |page=319 |author-link=Sanjit Narwekar}}</ref> is a 1964 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[comedy film]] produced by D. B. Narayana and directed by [[Adurthi Subba Rao]], who also wrote the screenplay. Based on a story by [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]], it stars [[N. T. Rama Rao]] and [[B. Saroja Devi]]. In ''Dagudu Moothalu'', the distant relatives of an ailing man attempt to usurp his wealth, while making sure that his grandson, the rightful heir, does not inherit the said wealth.

Ramana took plot details of the 1936 American film ''[[Mr. Deeds Goes to Town]]'' – the title character inheriting a huge property and subsequently being branding a lunatic by miscreants who are after his wealth – but then wrote a story creating new characters and situations, ''Dagudu Moothalu''. The film was released on 21 August 1964, and became a commercial success. It was later remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Avan Pithana?]]'' (1966) and in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Jwaar Bhata]]'' (1973).

== Plot ==
Vishwasundara Rao is an affluent, but ailing gentleman. He deserts his son who marries without the former's consent. By the time Vishwasundara Rao realises what he did, he loses his son and daughter-in-law. The couple's son Sundarayya is raised as an orphan despite being the grandson of a rich family. He earns his living by establishing a coffee hotel in the same town as his grandfather.

Vishwasundara Rao's distant relatives, Bhushanam and Sooramma, plot to usurp his wealth while under the guise of serving him. Bhushanam supports Sooramma's plan to make Viswasundara Rao adopt her son Paparao on the condition that she perform his daughter Ammadu's marriage with Paparao.

Subbulu, a young woman, escapes from her house to avoid an [[Forced marriage|unwanted wedding]]. She takes shelter in Sundarayya's house, and both fall in love. After some days, Subbulu gets a job to take care of Vishwasundarayya in his bungalow. She finds photos of Sundarayya's parents in the bedroom and realises that Sundarayya is the grandson of Vishwasundara Rao. She brings the grandfather-grandson together. Vishwasundara Rao sadly dies after looking at his grandson.

With their plans having been botched, Bhushanam decides to frame Sundarayya as a lunatic. However, the truth soon comes out, and Sooramma, Bhushanam and his aide Siddhanthi are convicted for their actions. Sundarayya marries Subbulu, and Paparao marries Ammadu.

== Cast ==
*[[N. T. Rama Rao]] as Sundara Rao Jr. "Sundarayya"
*[[B. Saroja Devi]] as Subba Lakshmi "Subbulu"
*[[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as Viswasundara Rao<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Ramana Reddy]] as Bhushanam<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Padmanabham (actor)|Padmanabham]] as Papayi<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Allu Ramalingaiah]] as Siddhanthi Gavarayya<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Suryakantham (actress)|Suryakantham]] as Sooramma<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Sharada (actress)|Sharada]] as Ammadu<ref name="BFTP" />
*[[Raavi Kondala Rao]] as the family doctor
*[[Radha Kumari]] as Bhushanam's wife<ref name="BFTP" />

== Production ==

=== Development ===
In 1962, producer D. B. Narayana of D. B. N. Productions assigned [[Mullapudi Venkata Ramana]] to write the story and dialogues for his next production, which would star [[N. T. Rama Rao]]. Ramana took plot details of the 1936 American film ''[[Mr. Deeds Goes to Town]]'' – the title character inheriting a huge property and subsequently being branding a lunatic by miscreants who are after his wealth – and wrote a story creating new characters and situations, ''Dagudu Moothalu''. [[Adurthi Subba Rao]] was hired to direct, and wrote the screenplay based on Ramana's story.<ref name="BFTP" /> Cinematography was handled by P. L. Roy, and editing by T. Krishna.<ref name="indiancine.ma" />

=== Casting and filming ===
N. T. Rama Rao was cast as the male lead Sundarayya, and ''Dagudu Moothalu'' was his first film under Adurthi's direction.<ref name="BFTP" /> He was paid a remuneration of {{INRConvert|40000||lk=|year=1964}}.<ref name="unveiled" /> [[B. Saroja Devi]] was cast as the female lead Subbulu,<ref name="BFTP" /> and was paid {{INRConvert|80000||lk=|year=1964}}.<ref name="unveiled" /> [[Raavi Kondala Rao]] played the family doctor, thereby making his entry as a professional actor.<ref name="BFTP" /> During the shoot, Saroja Devi had a [[ligament]] tear; because of this, the sets which were constructed for filming the songs "Mella Mella Mellaga" and "Adagaka Icchina Manase" in [[Vauhini Studios]] had to be dismantled, leading to escalated costs and production delays. Distraught, Adurti rushed to Saroja Devi's Bangalore home, and was ready to replace her with [[Krishna Kumari (actress)|Krishna Kumari]], but realised her condition was worse than they had imagined. The songs were eventually filmed around [[Lal Bagh]], [[Ulsoor Lake]] and [[Cubbon Park]].<ref name="unveiled" />

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[K. V. Mahadevan]].<ref name="songbook">{{Cite book |url=https://indiancine.ma/documents/CFK/info |title=Dhagudu Muthalu |publisher=D. B. N. Productions |year=1964 |language=te |type=songbook}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Divvi Divvi Divvittam
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 = [[Aarudhra]]
| music1 =
| extra1 = [[Pithapuram Nageswara Rao]], Swarnalatha
| length1 = 3:26
| title2 = Andhalam Yekkaadammaa
| note2 =
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 = [[Aatreya (playwright)|Aatreya]]
| music2 =
| extra2 = [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]], [[P. Susheela]]
| length2 = 3:31
| title3 = Mella Mella Mellag
| note3 =
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 = Aatreya
| music3 =
| extra3 = Ghantasala, P. Susheela
| length3 = 4:42
| title4 = Devudane Vadu Unnada
| note4 =
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 = Aatreya
| music4 =
| extra4 = Ghantasala, P. Susheela
| length4 = 3:36
| title5 = Goronka Gootike
| note5 =
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 = [[Daasarathi Krishnamacharyulu|Dasarathi]]
| music5 =
| extra5 = Ghantasala
| length5 = 3:07
| title6 = Goranka Kendhuko
| note6 =
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 = Dasarathi
| music6 =
| extra6 = P. Susheela
| length6 = 3:21
| title7 = Yenkocchindhoi Maamaa
| note7 =
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 = Aarudhra
| music7 =
| extra7 = P. Susheela
| length7 = 3:36
| title8 = Adagaka Ichina
| note8 =
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 = Aatreya
| music8 =
| extra8 = Ghantasala, P. Susheela
| length8 = 3:30
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Dagudu Moothalu'' was released on 21 August 1964, with Navayuga Films acquiring the distribution rights.<ref name="unveiled" /> The film was commercially successful,<ref name="BFTP" /> and was later remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Avan Pithana?]]'' (1966) and in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Jwaar Bhata]]'' (1973).<ref name="unveiled" />

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="BFTP">{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=3 June 2017 |title=Dagudu Moothalu (1964) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/blast-from-the-past-dagudu-moothalu-1964/article18713343.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181119044020/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/blast-from-the-past-dagudu-moothalu-1964/article18713343.ece# |archive-date=19 November 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="unveiled">{{Cite news |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivathsan |date=20 August 2015 |title=Daagudu Moothalu: The 'hidden' treasures unveiled |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/daagudu-moothalu-the-hidden-treasures-unveiled/article7561719.ece |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206140748/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/daagudu-moothalu-the-hidden-treasures-unveiled/article7561719.ece# |archive-date=6 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="indiancine.ma">{{Cite web |title=Dhagudu Muthalu |url=https://indiancine.ma/LBN/info |access-date=16 November 2018 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0263247}}
* {{CITWF title|77554}}
{{Adurthi Subba Rao}}

[[Category:1960s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1964 comedy films]]
[[Category:1964 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Adurthi Subba Rao]]
[[Category:Indian comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films scored by K. V. Mahadevan]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]

Dagudu Moothalu - Revision history

>JJMC89 bot III at 08:40, 5 April 2021