| Keelu Gurram | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Raja Saheb of Mirzapur |
| Written by | Tapi Dharma Rao (story / script / songs) Sadasivabrahmam (uncredited) |
| Screenplay by | Ch Narayana Murthy |
| Produced by | Raja Saheb of Mirzapur |
| Starring | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Anjali Devi |
| Cinematography | D. L. Narayana |
| Edited by | R. M. Venu Gopal |
| Music by | Ghantasala |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 172 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Keelu Gurram (transl. Magical horse) is a 1949 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram under the Sobhanachala Pictures banner.[1] It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala. The film marks the debut of Ghantasala as a composer who would later become a noted composer and playback singer.[2]
Fascinated by the commercial success of folklore films, Raja of Mirzapuram asked his writers to come up with a similar subject. Tapi Dharma Rao assisted by the noted story-teller Sadasivabrahmam (uncredited) wrote the story of the film which is inspired by Kasi Majili Kathalu.[3] Chitrapu Narayanamurthy, who had earlier directed all of Raja's productions wrote the screenplay. Narayanamurthy also ghost directed most of the scenes for the Raja.[3]
The film released on 19 February 1949. Keelu Gurram was a big hit and celebrated a 148-day run at Maruthi Talkies in Vijayawada and hundred-day run at 10 other centres.[3][4] It was also the first Telugu film dubbed into Tamil.[3] After Balaraju (1948), Keelugurram established Nageswara Rao as the much sought-after hero.[3]
- ^ Rama Rao, S. V. Naati 101 Chitralu. Kinnera Publications. pp. 42–43.
- ^ Eenadu Daily, Eenadu Sunday – 28 April 2013, 100 years of Indian Cinema, Early Tollywood, Page 9
- ^ a b c d e Narasimham, M. L. "Keelugurram (1949)". The Hindu. Kasturi and Sons. Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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