In
the early 1950, raising stars like NTR and ANR are making the hey.
At that time people thought that it was Nagaiah turn to bid adieu.
During that period Nagaiah made a film on 'Our India Films' banner.
He directed and acted in this film, 'Naa Illu'. His favorite cameraman
MA Rehman was roped in. This film was based on a story by Devulapalli
Krishna Sastri. TR Raja Kumari, Girija, Vedavathi, Chaya Kumari
, Rama Sarma, Lingamurthy Darai Swamy were the other actors in that
film. 'Naa Illu' is a bilingual film. It was also produced in Tamil
as 'En Veedu' simultaneously. That's the reason why TN Rajakumari
was chosen for the role of heroine.
Just like the Nagaiah's films, 'Naa Illu' too is a musical film.
'Adigadigo' is the highlight song of the film. It was based on Saranga
Raagam. 'Naa Illu' best describes the Nagaiah taste of good
music. Without upsetting the tradition, he used to make a fusion
of Hindustani and Karnatic music. Nagaiah is the first south Indian
music director to induce non-regional music. There are two Hindi
songs in 'Naa Illu'. These two songs are story based ones. Hero
Nagaiah goes to Bombay in this film. He made Meena Kapoor sing to
songs, 'Pushponka Rani' and 'Main Haste Gaate Chali' to have the
nativity. Vidya in this film is a Bombay dancer. So Nagaiah included
a couple of Hindi songs to justify it.
The
story of 'Naa Illu is based on how rich people cheat naive people.
Nagaiah narrated it in an investigative approach. This film revolve
around the kids of Sivaram, who want to become musicians and singers.
Nagaiah donned the role of an ideal man. He gave up his romantic
image in this film.
In 1953, Kutumba Rao wrote in the magazine 'Kinema', "In this
film Nagaiah introduced two characters 'Radio Akkayya' and 'Radio
Annayya'. He named few other characters as Pardha Saradhi, Dwaram
Venkata Swamy Naidu. This shows his unending love towards the field
of music". When Nagaiah' character goes to Jail on the charges
of assassination, his wife refuses to accept him. Even in the real
life Nagaiah was cheated as a producer by his managers.
'Naa Illu' bombed at box-office. Since Nagaiah was financially sound
at that time, he opted for another film called RamaDasu'. Even that
film went for a toss>
'Naa Illu' is one of the most memorable films from the past.
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