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  • Cast Vijaya Shanti, Chris
  • BannerPravasandhra Chitra
  • Editor Gautham Raju
  • Cinematography --
  • Music
  • Producer Gummuluri Sastry, Meer Abdulla
  • Director
  • Audio release date NA

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Direction
Story
Cinematography
Music
Editing

Padamati Sandhya Ragam story at a glance

There has been a flock of Indians during 80s finding a heap of fortune in USA with jobs and aspiring careers. Jandhyala’s Padamati Sandhya Ragam is one unique film which deals with a love story between a girl from an orthodox Telugu family and a happy go lucky American guy. The film not only speaks about the universality of love but also about the universality of human race in the bigger picture.

The film begins with the demise of Adinarayana Rao(Gummuluri Sastry)  and Sandhya (Vijayashanthi) along with her husband Chris (Thomas Jane) attending the funeral. Apparently Sandhya’s daughter is raised by her grandfather and she develops hatred on her father- for marrying her mother against her grandfather’s wish.  It is when Sandhya feels the importance of telling the story of her past and that is where the film goes to flashback!

Adinarayana Rao along with his wife and daughter Sandhya arrive in USA and it is shown right from the first frame that he is very stubborn individual. The best thing is to see the stubborn nature in a hilarious manner- thanks to Jandhyala’s excellent dialogue writing and narration skills. Adinarayana Rao’s brother looks after them and settles them in a comfortable position in USA. It is when Sandhya gets to know her neighbor Chris. Chris is a warm individual who instantly falls for Sandhya. But as Sandhya doesn’t know English at all- the real trouble starts for him to learn Telugu and communicate his feelings towards her!

At the same time, there is another neighbor of Sandhya, named Reynold (Shivamani) who is very passionate about drumming. He also starts liking Sandhya and makes several failed attempts to learn Telugu and proposes her. The rest of the film deals with how Sandhya and Chris get together- fighting religious and regional obstacles in an entertaining manner!

Padamati Sandhya Ragam is one wonderful film which every Telugu NRI can relate to. Even the Telugu people back from home develop an instant liking for the film – for the beautiful way it was etched by Jandhyala.

  • Trade

    Gummuluri Sastry, who is an NRI acted as Sandhya’s father in the film. He is excellent and highly convincing as the typical stubborn and angry father of a Telugu Rural Household! His mannerisms are a treat to watch throughout the film. His character has so many different shades! Vijayashanthi delivers a fine performance as the likeable girl next door with great screen presence. Thomas Jane, a Hollywood actor acted in his only Telugu film with excellent ease. The way he renders the Telugu lines in American accent is so funny and admiring to watch! The legendary drummer Sivamani acted as the black American drummer and it was a cakewalk for him, as he works in the same profession in real life. His dialogue delivery is highly commendable with the American slang!

    Seshagiri Rao, another NRI also acted in the film as the troubled ice cream owner whose son Ganapathi (Vijay) who is a food freak. The comedy between the father and son is another trademark Jandhyala treat.
  • Highlights

    • The film was made with great production values which make it quite convincing throughout the progress.
    • S.P.Balasubrahmanyam composed the music for the film. The fusion track of “Pibare Rama Rasam” featuring grand piano and violin is one of the very first fusion songs in Telugu Cinema. The songs recording also happened in USA. The song “Life is Shabby” sung by Reynold was excellently rendered by SPB in American accent.
    • The film got the Filmfare Award for the best film category for that year and Nandi award for Jandhyala in best story category.
  • Sidelights

    • Apparently the role of Sandhya’s father was to be acted by Sutthi Veera Bhadra rao but due to visa problem he had to stay back. He gave voice for the role instead. His voice itself made such a wonderful impact on the stubborn father character!
    • When Jandhyala’s team was residing in USA for the purpose of shooting, there was one situation when they used incense for puja and the fire alarm people came off in a hurry! Finding the scene interesting, Jandhyala used the same in the film in a hilarious manner!
    • Popular Comedian Potti Prasad dubbed for Seshagiri Rao and Subhalekha Sudhakar for Ganapathi. The laughs they generated with just voice is another fantastic aspect for the film
    • Jandhyala himself dubbed for the role of Adinarayana Rao’s brother.
    • Popular dubbing artist and actor Saritha dubbed for Vijayashanthi and dubbing Janaki rendered her voice for her mother.
    • The film’s team had a great time travelling all the way to USA for the filming, and the whole flight was filled up with the film’s cast and crew! It was one of those great examples where a film’s team stays more like a family than just for professional gain.
    • There was a plan to make a sequel to this film few years ago but it got shelved due to the lack of progress in the story.

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