Jayam Manadera (transl. Victory is Ours) is a 2000 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by N. Shankar and produced by D. Suresh Babu under the Suresh Productions banner. It stars Venkatesh, Bhanupriya and Soundarya, with music composed by Vandemataram Srinivas. The film was successful at the box office. The film won two Nandi Awards and one Filmfare Award. The film was also remade in Tamil as Manikanda and in Bengali Bangladesh as Dhongsho.
Contents
Plot
Abhiram is a fun-loving man who stays with his parents in London. Eight people win the Thums Up contest which gives them an opportunity to tour Europe. Uma is one of the contest winners. Abhiram likes Uma and acts as their tour companion during their stay in Europe. A shy Uma could not express her love towards him, so she leaves a message in his answering machine. But Abhiram could not listen to the message at the right time. Hence, Uma presumes that Abhiram does not love her and returns to India with her companions. But Abhiram hears the message after Uma left, and calls her. But it's too late for him, as Uma's father arranges his daughter's marriage with Jasjit, the brother of the main villain.
Meanwhile, Jasjit and his gang of goons are searching for a persona named Mahadeva Naidu. When Subramanyam's father sees the photograph of Abhiram, he feels frightened and approaches Narasimha Naidu. Narasimha wants to eliminate Mahadeva Naidu. When Abhiram discovers that Uma may be forcibly married to another man, he goes to her village to elope with her. Just when he reaches the railway station, a gang that is after his life chases him and Uma, but the couple evade the goons and flee. They are saved by Bhavani (Jhansi) in the nick of time. She takes him to a hideout where a group of people are hiding.
They explain to him about his past. He is the son of Mahadeva Naidu (also Venkatesh), who was the savior of the Dalits and downtrodden people of Karamchedu. He liberated the Dalits in that area and he was killed by the villains, who are none other than his relatives. Rudrama Naidu (son) and Jhansi (daughter) are taken away by Mahadeva Naidu's lieutenants so that they can be saved. Mahadeva Naidu swears that his son Rudrama Naidu would come back to destroy the villains and save the poor people. Rudrama Naidu, who was raised as Abhiraam, learns about his past and the rest of the film is about his revenge.
Production
The film began production under the name Rudrama Naidu. The film was shot in Europe for 25 days while two songs were shot in United States and the filming was also held at Vedavati river of Anantapur and Godavari. Soft drink company Thumbs Up served as the film's brand ambassador.
Soundtrack
Music composed by Vandemataram Srinivas. Music released on Aditya Music Company. Kumar Sanu and Jaspinder Narula made their singing debuts in Telugu with this film.
Release and reception
The film released with 114 prints in 149 centres.
Jeevi of Idlebrain wrote "First half of the film is ok. But the second half of the film is boring and as we reach the climax, elevating elements are peak. One of the outstanding movies Venky has chosen at this point of his career".
Indiainfo wrote "Venkatesh strikes again. Last year his film Kalisundam..raa not only became super hit but fetched him awards including Nandi also. This time on the occasion of Vijaya dasami venky offers a new film Jayam Manade Raa . Like all of his recent films Jayam Manade Raa is a film with different style. Good screenplay and foot tapping music made Jayam Manade Raa worth watching".
Box office
The film collected a distributors' share of Rs. 12 crore in its lifetime theatrical run, and a distributors' share of Rs. 3.04 crore in its opening week.
Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Best Actor - Telugu - Venkatesh (2000).
Nandi Awards - 2000
Best Villain - Jaya Prakash Reddy
Best Supporting Actress - Jhansi