{{Short description|1979 Telugu film by K. Raghavendra Rao}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox film | name = Vetagadu | image = Vetagaadu.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | producer = M. Arjuna Raju <br /> K. Sivarama Raju | director = K. Raghavendra Rao | writer = Jandhyala<br />{{small|(story / dialogues)}} | screenplay = | starring = N. T. Rama Rao<br />Sridevi | music = Chakravarthy | cinematography = K. S. Prakash | editing = Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao | studio = Roja Movies | released = {{Film date|df=y|1979|7|5}} | runtime = 149 mins | country = India | language = Telugu }}

'''''Vetagadu''''' ({{translation|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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-10|title='Durgamati': 4 reasons why remake culture is a boon for Bollywood|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/durgamati-4-reasons-why-remake-culture-is-a-boon-for-bollywood-925675.html|access-date=2020-12-25|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

== 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 == {{cast listing| *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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=kavirayani|first=suresh|date=2018-02-26|title=Colleagues remember Sridevi's 'astounding talent'|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/260218/colleagues-remember-sridevis-astounding-talent.html|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack == {{Infobox album | name = Vetagadu | type = Soundtrack | artist = Chakravarthy | cover = | alt = | released = 1979 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = Filmi | length = 28:41 | label = SAREGAMA Music | producer = Chakravarthy | prev_title = Driver Ramudu | prev_year = 1979 | next_title = Burripallem Bullodu | next_year = 1979 }}

The music was composed by Chakravarthy. Lyrics were written by Veturi.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vetagadu (1979)-Song_Booklet|url=https://indiancine.ma/|access-date=2020-12-25|website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> The song "Aaku Chaatu" became hugely popular and was remixed in ''Allari Ramudu''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tollywood-stars-dance-to-daddys-tunes/articleshow/17599269.cms|title=Tollywood stars dance to daddy's tunes|last=Kavirayani|first=Suresh|work=The Times of India|date=13 December 2012|access-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118144945/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tollywood-stars-dance-to-daddys-tunes/articleshow/17599269.cms|archive-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> {|class="wikitable" |- !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 |}

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title|0187581}} {{K. Raghavendra Rao}} {{Jandhyala Subramanya Sastry}}

Category:Indian action films Category:1979 action films Category:1979 films Category:1979 Telugu-language films Category:1979 Indian films Category:1970s masala films Category:Telugu films remade in other languages Category:Films directed by K. Raghavendra Rao Category:Films scored by K. Chakravarthy Category:Films set in forests