Premabhishekam

About the film

Premabhishekam (transl. Anointing of Love) is a 1981 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. This film is inspired by the 1964 Hollywood movie Send Me No Flowers. It is produced by Annapurna Studios, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayasudha, Sridevi, Murali Mohan, Mohan Babu and musical composition by Chakravarthy.

Released on 18 February 1981, Premabhishekam was a success grossing over ₹4.5 crore at the box office. It had a theatrical run of 527 days and became the first film to complete a 75-week run in Andhra Pradesh. The film won four Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. It was later remade in Tamil as Vazhvey Maayam (1982) and in Hindi as Prem Tapasya (1983).

Plot

Rajesh, a naughty guy, falls for the charming Devi. Their acquaintance begins with squabbles. She misconstrues him as a flirt, denies his proposal, and mortifies him. Anyhow, Devi senses Rajesh's wholesome love with soul and reciprocates. Now, the elders decide to knit them when Devi's brother, Dr. Chakravarthy, detects that Rajesh is terminally ill with cancer, so he bars the nuptial. Knowing it, Rajesh & Devi plan to bond secretly. During that time, Rajesh also discovers his illness from Dr. Venkateswarulu and that his bestie, Prasad, loves Devi. Ergo affirms that he wants to estrange her by pretending to be debauched to her. So, Rajesh makes a play with a prostitute, Jayanthi, to develop hatred. Devi is devastated, tries to contact him, and proclaims his intent to seek vengeance for her humiliation. Being mindful of it, furious Devi opts to splice Prasad in reply to Rajesh. Parallelly, Jayanthi adores Rajesh, pleads with him to wed her since she desires to be his wife for a while. Rajesh accepts her requests and begins his last journey. Soon after the wedding, Devi collapses, aware of the fact, and rushes to meet. Finally, the movie ends with Rajesh blessing the newlywed couple and breathing his last happily.

Production

Dasari Narayana Rao wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogues in addition to lyrics. The film has editing by B. Krishnam Raju and cinematography by P. S. Selvaraj. Nageswara Rao's sons, Venkat Akkineni and Nagarjuna Akkineni, produced the film under Annapurna Studios. The film's shoot began on 20 September 1980 on Nageswara Rao's birthday. The film was entirely shot in Hyderabad except for songs "Kottappa Kondu" and "Vandanam" which were shot at Madras (now Chennai).

Soundtrack

Music composed by Chakravarthy. Lyrics were written by Dasari Narayana Rao. Music released on SEA Records Audio Company. The song "Nee Kallu" was reused in the film's Tamil remake Vaazhvey Maayam as "Mazhaikaala Megam".

Box office

The film has completed 100 days directly in 25 centres. The film has completed 175 days directly in 16 centres and also ran for 365 days in some theatres in the Telugu states.

The film ran for 750 days in 2 centers in Andhra Pradesh and 75 weeks in Bangalore.

Awards

Best Male Playback Singer - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Filmfare Award for Best Director - Telugu - Dasari Narayana Rao - Won

Filmfare Special Jury Award - Jayasudha -Won

Key details