# Raju Peda

Raju Peda (transl. The prince and the pauper) is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film directed and produced by B. A. Subba Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao and Master Sudhakar, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is based on Mark Twain’s 1881 novel, The Prince and the Pauper and was later remade into the Hindi film Raja Aur Runk (1968) and dubbed into Tamil as Aandi Petra Selvan (1957).

## Plot

The film opens in a kingdom where two boys, Narendra Dev and Narisigadu, are born as doppelgangers. Narendra Dev is the heir to Emperor Surendra Dev, while Narisigadu is born to the impoverished Poligadu, a beggar and thief. Twelve years later, Emperor Surendra Dev falls gravely ill and transfers royal authority to his son, aware that his brother-in-law, Vikram, is scheming to seize the throne. Meanwhile, Narisigadu lives with his mother, Achamma, and sister, Malli, in dire poverty. Poligadu forces Narisigadu to beg and prevents him from attending school, prompting Narisigadu to run away.
One day, while wandering near the palace, Narisigadu meets Narendra, who invites him inside. Narendra, aware of their identical appearance, hides the royal assent and suggests they temporarily swap places. Mistaken for Narisigadu, Narendra is expelled from the palace, while Narisigadu is assumed to be the prince. As Narendra experiences the hardships of common life, Narisigadu's strange behavior in the palace is attributed to memory loss. Emperor Surendra Dev repeatedly asks for the royal assent, but Narisigadu, unaware of its location, is unable to produce it.
Narendra eventually ends up at Narisigadu's home, where he faces mistreatment from Poligadu. He escapes and meets Sudhir, a noble soldier who is in love with Malli. Though initially skeptical of Narendra's claims of royalty, Sudhir agrees to help him.
After Emperor Surendra Dev passes away, the prince's charge is given to the loyal Vijaya Varma. Meanwhile, Poligadu and his gang plot to rob the royal treasury, with Narendra joining them in order to gain access to the court. Narendra confronts Narisigadu, accusing him of usurping his position, but Narisigadu humbly admits the truth. Overhearing this, Vikram plans to assassinate the prince, using his ally, Subedar, to carry out the scheme. Subedar captures Narendra, but Poligadu and Sudhir intervene, thwarting the plot.
Just before the coronation, Poligadu and Sudhir arrive with Narendra, shocking the court with the identical appearances of the two boys. Vikram tries to discredit Narendra, but he correctly answers the nobles' questions and reveals the location of the missing royal assent. Vikram attempts to kill Narendra, but Narisigadu defends him, and Poligadu ultimately stops Vikram.
In the end, Narendra is crowned king and rewards Narisigadu with an honorable rank, restoring his family's dignity. The film concludes with Narendra's crowning ceremony.

## Cast

* N. T. Rama Rao as Poligadu
* Lakshmirajyam as Achamma
* S. V. Ranga Rao as Maharaju Surendra Dev
* Relangi as Sudhir
* R. Nageswara Rao as Vikram
* Dr. Sivaramakrishnayya as Bhugolam Panthulu
* V. C. Kamaraju as Vijay
* Lakshmaiah Chowdary as Subedhar
* Chelamaiah Chowdary as Raja Guruvu
* Jaya Rami Reddy as Bhaskar
* Lakshman Rao as Prabhakar
* Ammaji as Malli
* T. D. Kusalakumari as dancer
* Master Sudhakar as Narendra Dev & Naarigadu (dual role)

## Soundtrack
### Telugu

The music of the film was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Lyrics were by Tapi Dharma Rao, Aatreya and Kosaraju. Playback singers are Ghantasala, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Jikki, K. Rani, P. Susheela and T. Sathyavathi.
| No. | Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Duration (mm:ss) |
| 1 | "Amma Amma Enta Haayiga Pilichade" | Jikki | Tapi Dharma Rao | 02:38 |
| 2 | "Yuvarajuvule... Chinni Nanna Challagundali" | Jikki & T. Sathyavathi | Aatreya | 04:51 |
| 3 | "Ghoramuraa Vidhi.... Veduka Kosam" | Ghantasala | Tapi Dharma Rao | 03:11 |
| 4 | "Jay Jay.... Jebulo Bomma" | Ghantasala | Kosaraju | 02:55 |
| 5 | "Kallu Terachi Kanara Satyam" | Jikki | Kosaraju | 02:13 |
| 6 | "Marindi Marindi Mana Rajakeeyame Marindi" | K. Rani | Kosaraju | 02:04 |
| 7 | "Nariga Nayana Enta Vedakina Kanaranida" | Jikki & P. Susheela | Kosaraju | 02:37 |
| 8 | "Srimantulu Dheemantulu Indarunnare" | Jikki | Tapi Dharma Rao | 02:31 |
| 9 | "Malli Pilli Banginapalli Malli Rave" | | Tapi Dharma Rao | |
| 10 | "Jambhaari Pratimaana Vaibhava (Padyam)" | Madhavapeddi Satyam | Tapi Dharma Rao | |

### Tamil

Music for the Tamil version was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and the lyrics were penned by Kuyilan and Puratchidasan. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, S. C. Krishnan, Jikki, P. Leela, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, M. S. Rajeswari, T. Sathyavathi and Kamala.
| No. | Song | Singer/s | Lyricist | Duration (m:ss) |
| 1 | "Ammaa Ammaa" | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | Puratchidasan | 02:42 |
| 2 | "Jaya Veerarilum Miga Theerane" | Jikki & T. Sathyavathi | Puratchidasan | 04:51 |
| 3 | "Aandi Petra.... Vindhai Endre" | T. M. Soundararajan | Kuyilan | 03:03 |
| 4 | "Jay Jay.... Jeppilor Bommai" | S. C. Krishnan | Kuyilan | 02:55 |
| 5 | "Kannai Thirandhu Kaanadaa" | Jikki | Kuyilan | 03:06 |
| 6 | "Vaarungal Vaarungal" | P. Leela | Puratchidasan | 02:04 |
| 7 | "Kannanai Kaanane Kaanane" | Jikki & T. Sathyavathi | Puratchidasan | 02:37 |
| 8 | "Seemaangalum Komaangalum" | Jikki | Kuyilan | 02:53 |

## Awards

* This film was one of N. T. Rama Rao's finest performances, for which he was presented the Rashtrapati Award.