Nammina Bantu

Nammina Bantu
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Adurthi Subba Rao
Written by	Sunkara Satyanarayana Tapi Dharma Rao (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Adurthi Subba Rao
Story by	Sunkara Satyanarayana
Produced by	Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary
Starring	Akkineni Nageswara Rao Savitri
Cinematography	B. S. Jagirdhar
Edited by	A. Sanjeevi
Music by	S. Rajeswara Rao Master Venu
Production company	Sambhu Films
Distributed by	Navayuga Films
Release date	7 January 1960 (1960-01-07)
Running time	161 minutes
Country	India
Languages	Telugu Tamil

Nammina Bantu (transl. Trusted servant) is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Savitri, with music jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and Master Venu. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri (transl. The Proletariat's success), under the same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Upon release Nammina Bantu received critical acclaim.^[1] The film was featured at the 8th San Sebastián International Film Festival.^[2] The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.^[3]

Telugu version

The film begins with a distressed peasant, Chandrayya, who checks in a village along with his daughter Lakshmi and an ox. He meets an evil landlord, Bhujanga Rao, to seek land on the lease. He promises to give two acres of fertile land after yielding his Mango orchards and provides another sick ox. Chandrayya names them Ramalakshmanulu. Prasad, the staunch of Bhujanga Rao, shares a bond with his master beyond that of a servant and takes care of his daughter Sarala as his sibling. In parallel, as a glimpse, Devayya, Bhujanga Rao's nephew, returns home and falls for Sarala. After a while, Chandrayya successfully yields the mango orchard when Bhujanga Rao deceits him by endowing a dry land. Chandrayya decides to dig a well when Sarala also repents from her father's breach, so she supports them with Devayya's aid. After crossing many hurdles, Chandrayya acquires triumph, but a motor is necessary to dig the water, which requires a considerable amount. Then, as usual, bullock cart races are conducted, which Prasad wins every year, so Lakshmi determines to participate with Ramalakshmanulu for the prize amount. Here, Sarala pleads with Prasad to lose the bet, which he denies, as a trusty workhorse and cannot mortgage the prestige of his sovereign. During the race, Prasad attempts the best shot, but Lakshmi wins. Bhujanga Rao accuses Prasad therein, and he quits his service. Peeved by this, Bhujanga Rao is intrigued by destroying the motor, which Prasad obstructs and gets injured. Now Lakshmi comprehends Prasad's integrity, and they crush. After that, Prasad collaborates with the peasants and performs cooperative farming, which irks Bhujanga Rao and ploys to thwart. At last, in the final battle, Bhujanga Rao falls into a bog, and Prasad struggles to extricate him but fails. Before dying, he entrusts Sarala's responsibility to Prasad. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriages of Prasad & Lakshmi and Devayya & Sarala.

Tamil version

The film begins with Paramasiva, a distressed peasant, checking in a village with his daughter Lakshmi and an ox. He meets Sowcar Shivam, a cruel & crafty person, to seek land on the lease. Shivam promises to give 2 acres of fertile land after yielding his mango orchards. He also provides another sick ox, and Paramasiva names them Ramakshamanulu. Kannan, a loyal, trustworthy servant of Shivam whose word is an ordinance to him, shares a bond beyond a servant and takes care of Bhujangarao's daughter Chandra as his sister. Meanwhile, as a glimpse, Ranga Shivam's nephew returns to the village, giving up his education and falls for Chandra. After some time, Paramasiva successfully yields the mango orchard when Shivam deceits him by endowing a dry land. Right now, Paramasiva decides to dig a well at the site shown by Ramudu; Chandra also repents her father's breach, so she supports them with the help of Ranga. After crossing many hurdles, Paramasiva acquires the triumph, but a motor is necessary to bring out the water, which requires a considerable amount. Then, as usual, bullock cart races are conducted, and Kannan wins every year, so Lakshmi decides to participate with Ramalakshmanulu for the prize amount. Here, Chandra pleads with Kannan to lose the bet when he replies that he is ready to sacrifice his life but not the prestige of his sovereign. During the time of the race, Kannan attempts the best shot, but Lakshmi holds the victory. At present, Shivam accuses & humiliates Kannan as he intentionally did the deed. As a result, he leaves his service. Peeved by this, Shivam is intrigued by destroying the motor when Kannan obstructs and injures him. Now Lakshmi realizes Kannan's honesty, and they start loving each other. After that, on the advice of Ranga, Kannan collaborates with all the peasants and performs cooperative farming, which irks Shivam and ploys to thwart their plans. At last, in the final battle, Shivam falls into a bog. Kannan struggles to extricate him but fails, and before dying, he entrusts Chandra's responsibility to Kannan. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Kannan & Lakshmi and Ranga & Chandra.

Telugu version

Tamil version

Music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. Music released on Audio Company. All the tunes for all the songs for both languages are the same.

Nammina Bantu

Lyrics were written by Kosaraju. Playback singers are Ghantasala, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Jikki, P. Susheela, P. Leela, T. V. Rathnam and Swarnalatha.

Pattaliyin Vetri

Lyrics by Udumalai Narayana Kavi and Ka. Mu. Sheriff. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Ghantasala, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, Jikki, P. Susheela, P. Leela, T. V. Rathnam & Swarnalatha.

Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary, who himself was a landlord decided to produce a film based on the theme of exploitation of farmers by landlords written by socialist writer Sunkara Sathyanarayana for his debut production. Adurthi Subbarao was signed on to direct the film, while Sunkara and Tapi Dharma Rao wrote the dialogues. B. S. Jagirdar and Akkineni Sanjeevi worked as cinematographers and editors respectively. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri.^[1]

Nageswara Rao and Savitri were selected to portray the lead pair. S. V. Rangarao was first offered the landlord's role, but Rangarao preferred the character of downtrodden farmer Chandrayya's character as he found it more challenging. Dagubati Ramanaidu, who went on to become a popular producer in Telugu cinema worked as one of the partners in the film. The film also happened to be his debut film as an actor. He acted as the body double for Nageswara Rao, driving the bullock cart in long shot scenes, besides donning the district collector's role.^[1]

National Film Awards

• 1959: President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu^[3]

• Nammina Bantu at IMDb
• Paattaaliyin Vetri Tamil Titles on YouTube