LayneMatos1 at 14:16, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T14:16:28Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kurukshetram
| image = Kurukshetram poster.JPG
| caption =
| director = [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]]
| producer = A. S. R. Anjaneyulu
| writer = [[Samudrala Jr.]]<br/>{{small|(screenplay)}}
<br/>[[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]] {{small|(dialogues)}}
| starring = {{ubl|[[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]]| [[Sobhan Babu]]|[[Krishnam Raju]]|[[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]]|[[Vijaya Nirmala]]}}
| music = [[S. Rajeswara Rao]]
| cinematography = P. L. Roy
| editing = Kotagiri Gopala Rao
| studio = Madhavi Padmalaya Combines
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|1977|01|14|df=yes}}
| runtime = 168 min.
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Kurukshetram''''' is a 1977 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Hindu mythological film]] directed by [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]]. The film features an [[ensemble cast]] that includes [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]], [[Sobhan Babu]], [[Krishnam Raju]], [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]], and [[Vijaya Nirmala]]. It was produced by A. S. R. Anjaneyulu, with Krishna serving as the presenter. The screenplay was written by [[Samudrala Jr.]], while the dialogues were penned by [[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]]. Notable supporting roles were played by [[Kaikala Satyanarayana]], [[Anjali Devi]], [[Jaya Prada|Jayaprada]], [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]], and [[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]]. The music was composed by [[S. Rajeswara Rao|Saluri Rajeswara Rao]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=45 ఏళ్ళ ‘కురుక్షేత్రము’ |url=https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/45-years-of-kurukshetra-movie-45-120598.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=NTV |language=te-IN}}</ref>

The film was shot in various locations, including [[Mysore]] and [[Rajasthan]], and is notable for its elaborate sets and innovative production techniques, particularly for its time. Despite underperforming at the Telugu box office, ''Kurukshetram'' found success with its Hindi dubbed version. The film is recognized for its technical superiority and craftsmanship.<ref name=":1" />

== Plot ==
The film depicts a series of key events from the [[Mahabharata]], beginning with the division of the kingdom. It progresses through significant moments, including the marriage of [[Subhadra]] and [[Arjuna]], the slaying of [[Jarasandha]], the [[Rajasuya|Rajasuya Yagna]], the infamous dice game, the subsequent exile of the Pandavas, and culminates in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

==Cast==
{{cast listing|*[[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] as [[Arjuna]]
*[[Sobhan Babu]] as [[Krishna]]
*[[Krishnam Raju]] as [[Karna]]
*[[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]] as [[Draupadi]]
*[[Kaikala Satyanarayana]] as [[Duryodhana]]
*[[Vijaya Nirmala]] as [[Subhadra]]
*[[Anjali Devi]] as [[Kunti]]
*[[Jaya Prada]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]]
*[[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as [[Bhishma]]
*[[Nagabhushanam (actor)|Nagabhushanam]] as [[Sakuni]]
*[[Rao Gopal Rao]] as [[Shalya|Salya]]
*[[Kantha Rao]] as [[Drupada]]
*[[Mannava Balayya|M. Balayya]] as [[Yudhishthira|Dharma Raju]]
*[[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]] as [[Abhimanyu]]
*Randhawa as [[Bhima]]
*[[Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry]] as [[Indra]]
*[[Giri Babu]] as [[Dushasana|Dussasana]]
*[[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]] as [[Dhrutarashtra]]
*[[Ramakrishna (Telugu actor)|Rama Krishna]] as [[Balarama]]
*[[Chandrakala]] as [[Rukmini]]
*[[Latha (actress)|Latha]] as [[Satyabhama]]
*[[Mohan Babu]] as [[Sisupala]]
*Tyagaraju as [[Jayadratha|Saindhava]]
*[[P. J. Sarma]] as [[Kripa|Krupacharya]]}}
*Jyothi Lakshmi as dancer in Mayasabha

==Production==

=== Development ===
''Kurukshetram'' and ''[[Daana Veera Soora Karna]]'' were produced around the same time. [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] began the production of ''Kurukshetram'' in parallel with [[N. T. Rama Rao]]'s ''Daana Veera Soora Karna''.<ref name="dvsk">{{cite web |last=Chinarayana |first=Pulagam |date=17 January 2017 |editor-last=Sri |editor2-last=NaChaKi |title=Daana Veera Soora Karna - Retrospective |url=https://archive.telugucinema.com/daana-veera-soora-karna-retrospective |access-date=13 July 2023 |work=[[TeluguCinema.com]]}}</ref> He co-produced the film with A. S. R. Anjaneyulu, who had previously produced ''[[Pandava Vanavasam]]'' (1965). The film was directed by [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]], with [[K. S. R. Das]] overseeing the war sequences. [[Samudrala Jr.]] wrote the screenplay, while [[Tripuraneni Maharadhi]] wrote the dialogues.<ref name=":1" /> Despite being a long-time associate of N. T. Rama Rao, Kameswara Rao’s decision to direct ''Kurukshetram'' caused a strain in their relationship.<ref name=":2" />

=== Casting ===
In ''Kurukshetram'', Krishna portrayed [[Arjuna]], while [[Sobhan Babu]] played [[Krishna]], and [[Krishnam Raju]] took on the role of [[Karna]]. [[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]] appeared as [[Duryodhana]], with [[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]] as [[Abhimanyu]], and Randhava, son of renowned wrestler [[Dara Singh]], as [[Bhima]].<ref name=":1" /> [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] portrayed [[Bhishma]]. Only a few actors like Satyanarayana, Gummadi, [[Dhulipala]], and [[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]], appeared in both ''Kurukshetram'' and ''Daana Veera Soora Karna''.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chinthakindhi Ramu |title=ఎన్టీఆర్ పెట్టిన కండీషన్‌ను బ్రేక్ చేసిన కైకాల సత్యనారాయణ... ‘దాన వీర శూర కర్ణ’ సమయంలో... |url=https://telugu.asianetnews.com/gallery/entertainment/kaikala-satyanarayana-when-kaikala-satyanarayana-breaks-sr-nt-rama-rao-condition-during-daana-veera-soora-karna-r2vooh |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=[[Asianet News Network]] |language=te}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Unlike ''Daana Veera Soora Karna'', which was filmed entirely at [[Ramakrishna Cine Studios]], ''Kurukshetram'' featured elaborate sets and was shot in various locations, including [[Mysore]] and [[Rajasthan]], and [[Kurukshetra]] in [[Haryana]]. For the war scenes, Krishna took the crew along with elephants, horses, camels, and chariots to Kurukshetra. At a time when [[Computer-generated imagery|computer-generated graphics]] were not available, Krishna's innovative production techniques were considered groundbreaking in the Telugu film industry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=Krishna, who rode risks to superstardom |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/krishna-who-rode-risks-to-superstardom-101668534141261.html |access-date=15 October 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Music==
The music for ''Kurukshetram'' was composed by [[S. Rajeswara Rao|Saluri Rajeswara Rao]], featuring lyrics by renowned writers such as [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]], [[C. Narayana Reddy]], [[Daasarathi|Dasaradhi]], [[Veturi]], and [[Aarudra]]. Verses from [[Tirupati Venkata Kavulu]], [[Jandhyala Papayya Sastry|Karunasri]], [[Samudrala Jr.]], and Joshua were also included. The film notably featured recitations from the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' by [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]], which were secured by [[Padmalaya Studios]] after his death.<ref name="dvsk" /> Notable songs from the soundtrack include "Mrogindi Kalyana Veena" and "Dharmakshetram Idhi Kurukshetram."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=R |first=M. S. |date=2024-09-23 |title=దానవీరశూర కర్ణుడు గెలిస్తే... ‘కురుక్షేత్రం’లో అర్జునుడు ఓడిపోయాడు... |url=https://muchata.com/kurukshetram/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Muchata |language=te}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_music =
| title1 = Dharma Kshetram
| lyrics1 = [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| title2 = Alukala Kulukula
| lyrics2 = [[Veturi]]
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[P. Susheela|P. Suseela]]
| title3 = Ide Mayasabha Mandiram
| lyrics3 = [[Samudrala Jr.|Jr. Samudrala]]
| extra3 = B. Vasantha, Vani Jairam
| title4 = Harivillu Divinunchi
| lyrics4 = [[Dasarathi]]
| extra4 = P. Suseela, [[V. Ramakrishna]]
| title5 = Mrogindi Kalyanaveena
| lyrics5 = [[C. Narayana Reddy]]
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Suseela
}}

== Reception ==
Despite underperforming at the Telugu box office, ''Kurukshetram'' received some appreciation in Bangalore,<ref name=":2" /> while its Hindi dubbed version achieved significant success.<ref name=":1" /> The film is recognized for its technical superiority and innovative production techniques, showcasing Krishna's dedication.<ref name=":0" /> However, critics felt that Krishna and Sobhan Babu's portrayals of Arjuna and Krishna did not resonate as strongly as N. T. Rama Rao's previous performances, which was seen as a disadvantage for ''Kurukshetram''. In contrast, Satyanarayana's portrayal of Duryodhana received praise, reminiscent of [[S. V. Ranga Rao]]'s powerful performances in similar roles. In retrospect, while ''Daana Veera Soora Karna'' became a blockbuster, ''Kurukshetram'' is noted for its ensemble cast and production quality.<ref name=":1" />

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|1865426}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Kamalakara Kameswara Rao}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata}}

[[Category:1977 films]]
[[Category:1977 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1977 Indian films]]
[[Category:Hindu mythological films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]]
[[Category:Films scored by S. Rajeswara Rao]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mysore]]
[[Category:Films based on the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Padmalaya Studios films]]

Kurukshetram 1977 film - Revision history

LayneMatos1 at 14:16, 20 March 2026