# Vetagadu

Vetagadu (transl. Hunter) is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Sridevi, with music composed by Chakravarthy. The film was remade in Hindi as Nishana (1980). Both films were made under the same banner and by the same director.

## Plot

The film begins in a forest, Abhayaranyam, where Ananda Bhupathi belongs to a royal family and constructs a palace. Bhupathi dynasty possesses an antique heritage charm, the Raj Kamal Necklace, which his wife, Gayatri Devi, always wears. It allures their malice Diwanji Sivanandam, who purports to be trustworthy. So, he abducts Gayatri Devi. In that chaos, Kalyana Gajapati, a friend of Bhupathi, seeks to save her but is brutally killed. In between, Gayatri Devi hands over the necklace to a tribal, asks him to decorate it for their goddess, and maintains secrecy until her return. Diwanji misplaces Gayatri Devi and incriminates Gajapati as he requests the necklace. Thereby, rivalry arises. Bhupathi attributes the misfortune to the new building, orders to ruin it, and quits. Years roll by, and Raja, a valiant son of Gajapati, is fascinated by hunting and moves to the forest. On the way, a charming Roja, the daughter of Bhupathi, acquaints him, which initiates a squabble that turns into a crush. Besides, at "Abhayaranyam," Diwanji conducts several crimes with his son Hari undercover in the screwed palace, rumored as a demonic house. Every night, Raja listens to a sad song from the castle, which is supposed to be Gayatri Devi's voice. So, twice, he enters the house and encounters the evil deeds of the black guards. Meanwhile, Raja & Roja come back and meet Bhupathi. Whereat, Diwanji arrives and reveals Raja's identity when enraged Bhupathi knocks him out. Being cognizant of the past, Raja pledges to prove his father guiltless. Hence, he returns to the forest after rescuing a tribal girl whose father honors him. At that point, Raja identifies the "Raj Kamal Necklace" on their deity's neck and solicits for reality; then, he divulges the entire story. Hera, Raja gamely breaks out the mystery of Gayatri Devi's existence under seizing in the palace. At last, Raja ceases Diwanji and proves his father's innocence when Bhupathi pleads pardon and fairly submits the necklace to the goddess. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Raja & Roja.

## Cast

* N. T. Rama Rao as Raja
* Sridevi as Roja
* Rao Gopal Rao as Sivanandam
* Satyanarayana as Hari
* Allu Ramalingaiah as Kanda
* Jaggayya as Ananda Bhupati
* Kanta Rao as Kalyana Gajapati
* Nagesh as Ponnu Swamy
* Chalapathi Rao as Tribal leader
* Chidatala Appa Rao as Godugu
* Pandari Bai as Ayah
* Pushpalata as Gayatri Devi
* Mamata as Dhillu
* Jayamalini in item number

## Production

The producers were not convinced with K. Raghavendra Rao's choice of the female lead being Sridevi because she was "very young". After Rao convinced N. T. Rama Rao, Sridevi was cast.

## Soundtrack

The music was composed by Chakravarthy. Lyrics were written by Veturi. The song "Aaku Chaatu" became hugely popular and was remixed in Allari Ramudu.
| S. no | Song | Singers | Length |
| 1 | "Aaku Chaatu Pinde Tadise" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:50 |
| 2 | "Bangaru Baathuguddu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,P. Susheela | 3:27 |
| 3 | "Puttintollu Tharimesaaru" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:32 |
| 4 | "Jaablitho Cheppanaa" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:28 |
| 5 | "Konda Meedha Chandamaama" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 6:31 |
| 6 | "Ososi Pillakodipetta" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 4:29 |
| 7 | "Idhi Puvullu Pooyani" | S. Janaki | 3:24 |