1965 Indian film
| Dorikithe Dongalu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | P. Subrahmanyam |
| Written by | Pinisetty (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | P. Subrahmanyam |
| Story by | K.A.R. Acharya |
| Produced by | D. L. Narayana |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Jamuna |
| Cinematography | K. S.Prasad Rajagopal Ravikant Nagaich |
| Edited by | S. S. Prakash |
| Music by | S. Rajeswara Rao |
| Production company | Chandamama Films |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 184 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Dorikithe Dongalu (transl. Thieves, if they are caught) is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language science fiction action film directed by P. Subrahmanyam. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jamuna. The music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film was produced by D. L. Narayana on the Chandamama Films banner. It is one of the earliest science fiction films in Indian cinema.
Plot
The film begins in a city gripped by rising crime rates, with Commissioner Prabhakar urging the public to cooperate in fighting the growing menace. Among the city's prominent citizens are Sudarsanam, Dr. Giridhar, and Lawyer Brahmayya, who are secretly masterminds behind the chaos, using their strength and scientific knowledge to orchestrate criminal activities.
The trio attempts to bribe a respected elderly scientist, Visweswarayya, but when he refuses, they retaliate by burning his eyes with acid and kidnapping his younger daughter, Anuradha. They also capture Sundaram, Prabhakar's son, who is a renowned scientist recently returned from studying abroad with the villains' support. In response to the escalating crisis, the government assigns a courageous secret agent, Nanda Rao, to bring the criminals to justice. Nanda Rao is revealed to be Prabhakar's estranged son from his first marriage, a fact unknown to many.
Meanwhile, Visweswarayya's older daughter, Madhavi, also arrives in the city as a detective. She and Nanda Rao disguise themselves as an elderly couple, Agneyam and Latha, in order to infiltrate the villains' operations. As part of their scheme, the villains orchestrate a plane crash with Sundaram's unwitting assistance. Prabhakar’s brother-in-law, Rama Rao, witnesses the crash, but the villains kill him and his family, sparing only their daughter, Karuna, who they kidnap.
Throughout the film, Visweswarayya and Sundaram work on various advanced inventions, including flying cars, ray guns, and methods for invisibility, which are used by the villains in their schemes. Nanda Rao and Madhavi, who develop a romantic relationship, eventually uncover the full extent of the villains' plans, including Sundaram's dark turn. Nanda Rao reveals his true identity to his father, and together they launch a secret mission to bring down the criminal masterminds and rescue the captives.
In the climactic confrontation, Nanda Rao defeats the villains, but Sundaram, in an act of redemption, sacrifices himself by destroying the laboratory with an explosion. The film concludes with Nanda Rao and Madhavi being honored by the government for their bravery in saving the city.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Nandan Rao / Agneyam
- Jamuna as Latha / Madhavi
- Rajanala as Sudarsanam
- Kantha Rao as Sundaram
- V. Nagayya as Minister
- Gummadi as Commissioner Prabhakar Rao
- Dhulipala as Visweswarayya
- Ramana Reddy as Anji
- Satyanarayana as Dr. Gangadharam
- Allu Ramalingaiah as Lawyer Brahmayya
- Malladi as Rama Rao
- Jagga Rao as Inspector Prakash
- Suryakantham as Santhamma
- Rajasree as Appalamma and Rosy (dual role)
- Sarada as Karuna
- Jayanthi as Anuradha
Music
| Dorikithe Dongalu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by S. Rajeswara Rao | ||||
| Released | 1965 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 30:58 | |||
| Producer | S. Rajeswara Rao | |||
| S. Rajeswara Rao chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
| S. No. | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sri Venkatesa Eesa" | Aarudhra | M. Balamuralikrishna, P. Susheela, Bangalore Latha | 3:28 |
| 2 | "Evariki Teliyadule Intula Sangati" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala | 3:41 |
| 3 | "Ennisarlu Cheppalayya" | Aarudhra | Swarnalatha, V. Satya Rao | 2:51 |
| 4 | "Mavayya Chikkavayya" | Dasaradhi | S. Janaki | 3:51 |
| 5 | "Evariki Teliyadule Yuvakula Sangati" | C. Narayana Reddy | P. Susheela | 2:47 |
| 6 | "Evarannaravi Kannulani" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:19 |
| 7 | "Naa Kanti Velugu" | Aarudhra | S. Janaki | 3:28 |
| 8 | "Egurutunnadi Yavvanamu" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:44 |
| 9 | "Evare Naa Cheli" | Dasaradhi | P. Susheela, S. Janaki | 3:49 |
References
- "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: దొరికితే దొంగలు" [Film review: Dorikithe Dongalu]. Andhra Jyothi (in Telugu). 5 March 1965. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: దొరికితే దొంగలు" [Film review: Dorikithe Dongalu]. Andhra Prabha (in Telugu). 7 March 1965. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- "Dorikithe Dongalu (1965)-Song_Booklet". indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2020.