It’s time to revisit the old classic ‘ Oh, God!’, with the news of ‘Oh my god’ remake in Telugu grabbing headlines. Refreshingly, it does not feature any lead stars of that time, and ‘God’ appears in an avuncular old man avatar, just another face in the crowd.
‘Oh, God’! is a 1977 film starring George Burns and John Denver. The story centers on a supermarket manager Jerry Landers (Denver), chosen by God (Burns) to spread his message. Right from their first meeting when Jerry is having his shower to the last scene where God assures him about his sanity, the movie holds your interest like no other.
What’s really refreshing about the movie is that it doesn’t pontificate or play to galleries like films of the genre of ‘Oh My God’ do. Instead the movie is an interesting play on a ‘what if’ scenario and takes us on a journey with an unlikely combination of characters. The movie also gives us plenty to ponder about.
In short, it might not be ‘mass’y enough for remakes in several languages, but it is just about right for a movie lover who expects quality entertainment with a bit of enlightenment thrown in to the mix.
There are several good dialogues from the movie, and this one is my favorite, when an exasperated Jerry Landers questions why he was chosen to spread the message.
Jerry Landers : I don’t even go to any church!
God: Neither do I.
Here is a nice video on Youtube compiled by a fan.
ANR garu is a part of our family’s legacy. My grandfather introduced his movies, and my father took it forward. He would figure a lot in our conversations and interestingly as I grew more movies-aware, the topics were about his off-screen persona rather than his on-screen avatars. (His morning walks with with his friends in Banjara Hills; His outside appearances without make-up; His affinity for literature; his trademark dress etc.) For a star of his stature, this is a rare feat and a very few like Mr.Rajnikanth managed it.
When my father began his TV career, he would interact with ANR every now and then. He actually had to request ANR to make an exception and allow him to shoot in the Annapurna studios, which was meant for movie kind of budgets. He would be amazed by ANR’s vision and his simplicity when it came to supporting fellow creative artists and entrepreneurs. (You will find a few videos from the serial that were shot in the sets erected in Annapurna Studios http://www.youtube.com/agastyasastry)
My father would often talk about the ‘effort’ ANR in portraying the character, all the while, aware about his limits and strengths. He is probably the best any playback singer could ask for. A few examples here, often quoted by my father, where he matched the out-of-the-world singing of the legend ‘Ghantasala’
Rasikaraja from ‘Jayabheri’ (iPad users click here )
Paduta teeyaga from ‘Mooga mansulu’ (iPad users click here )
Carulo Shikarukelle from ‘Todikodallu’ (iPad users click here )
It will be next to impossible to summarize all my conversations with my father or extol the greatness of the legend ANR. So, am listing a few movies that stayed with me over the years.
Premabhishekam: It was the first ANR movie I remember watching in the theater (in Sudarshan, Hyderabad). I can never forget the whistles for his dances and the teary eyes of the audience towards the end. (A lady behind our row, was crying and cursing Sridevi, at the same time.)
Iddaru Mithrulu: One of the best double role films ever and an effortless portrayal by ANR. The poster with two ANRs shaking hands with each was a sensation in those days.
Jayabheri : Everything is classy about the film and ANR tops the list.
Mahakavi Kalidasu: ANR’s depiction of the transformation from an illiterate to a renowned poet is seen to be believed. Special mention about his scenes where he does not recognize his wife.
Iddaru Iddare: Though this movie did not do well at box-office, ANR’s performance stands out, so does a song with his son Nagarjuna.
Missamma: It is very tough for a leading hero to perform in a comic role, and ANR does it with elan. (In the later years, Megastar Chiranjeevi matched this feat with ‘Chantabbai’)
Mayabazar : As a part of an ensemble cast, he holds his own.
Sudigundalu: A film that was produced by ANR and the great director Adurti Subba Rao. In the character of an old judge turned lawyer, he carries the film on his shoulders and delivers a power packed performance.
But my all time favorite is this lesser known, or may be less talked about film, called ‘Pranadata’, one of the best works of director Mohan Gandhi.
I can go on and on about ANR and my father, so will sign off for now. ANR garu will surely be missed, but his songs and movies will continue to entertain, enlighten and enrich our lives.
”Yevadu” sets out to be a commercial entertainer and unabashedly goes about its objective. It is this clarity in execution, a few decent commercial elements and the presence of two leading stars works for the film.
The film reminds you of several old films like ”Mass”, “Chatrapathi”, “Athanokkade”, “Rangam”, “Deva” etc but the set up of the movie in the first half and the lead to the second half holds the audience’s interest. But once the second half gets into motion, movie treads a much beaten and convoluted path when the real ”Ram Charan” makes his claim on the movie. Couple of good songs provide much needed relief and Ram Charan dances like a dream in ”Freedom” song. Acting wise he doesn’t have much to do, other than believing in the routine scenes and provide his screen presence, which he does.
Rest of the star cast provide adequate support, with a decent ensemble of veterans like Sai Kumar, Jayasudha, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Brahmanandam, L.B.Sriram, Murali Sharma and newbies like Shashank, the guy who played Ramcharan’s friend etc. DSP’s music is decent and with each film he is making his mark with the background score.
In many ways the movie is meant for Ram Charan fans, and the presence of Allu Arjun is is an added bonus, who lives on beyond his small role for most of the movie’s first half. As Dil Raju mentioned in a recent press meet, it is very rare for a film that is delayed to have a positive start at the box-office, and ”Yevadu” breaks this jinx. The fact that it has dated content already helped his cause?:) If it were based on a theme of topical interest there would have been a risk of getting outdated :)? The movie was promoted aggressively, more so, in comparison to the other films and that might have helped as well. The extent of “Yevadu” success would be known in couple of weeks, but for now it has the cash registers of single screens ringing.
Side note: Wondering in how many films did we see ‘basti’ being used to portray heroism. Here is my partial list.–Laawaris (1981), Nayakudu (1987), Yamudiki mogudu (1988), Angaar (1992), Chatrapathi (2005), Andhrawala (2004) Businessman (2012). But ”Nayakudu” still retains the top spot in my mind 🙂
