Aha Naa Pellanta (1987 film)

'Aha! Naa Pellanta!!' is a 1987 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film written and directed by Jandhyala, and produced by D. Ramanaidu under his banner Suresh Productions. The film stars Rajendra Prasad and Rajani while Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nutan Prasad, and Brahmanandam play supporting roles. The film has music composed by Ramesh Naidu. An adaptation of Adivishnu's novel Satyam Gaari Illu, the film's title is based on a song from the epic fantasy film Mayabazar (1957). The film released on 27 November 1987.

''Aha! Naa Pellanta!!'' is considered one of the best comedy films of all time in Telugu cinema. Kota Srinivasa Rao's character as a miser and his mannerism "Naakenti?" became famous. Brahmanandam's role as 'Ara Gundu' received wide appreciation from both critics and audience and it became his breakthrough role.

Made on a budget of ₹16 lakh, the film grossed over ₹5 crore at the box office and became a blockbuster. Producer D. Ramanaidu mentioned that the profits from the film helped him in the establishment of Ramanaidu Studios. The film was remade in Kannada as Challenge Gopalakrishna (1990).

Plot
The film begins with Krishna Murthy, the son of industrialist Kasthuri Satyanarayana, who harries everyone with his Autobiography. The father & son lead an ecstatic lifestyle in friendship with pretty squeals. Once, Krishna Murthy walks to his mate's wedding, acquaints a cute girl, Padma, and Cupid strikes them. Satyanarayana worries about Krishnamurthy's marriage, and he imagines every girl as a veritable pair with his stanch Appanna. Indeed, Satyanarayana & his wife Rajyam made a love match for which all ostracized them. So, he promised to give their son's nuptial with all's consent before she leaves her breath. Krishna Murthy fears conveying his love to his father because he may kill himself. So, he attempts to write anonymous letters, forward photographs, etc., which Appanna thwarts.

After a troublesome delay, Krishna Murthy triumphs, which panics Satyanarayana. Whereat, he inquires that Padma is the daughter of Lakshmipati, a highly stingy in the adjacent village. Accordingly, the father & son challenge that Krishna Murthy will knit Padma getting Lakshmipati's approval in 3 months without Satyanarayana's identity. Currently, he sets foot in their village. Aragundu Govindu, who suffers as Lakshmipati's bounded labor, hears the conversation between turtle doves and aids them. Krishna Murthy dwells as a tenant in Lakshmipati's portion and heartfelt union with neighbor Subba Rao & family.

Now, a comic tale starts. Krishna Murthy receives Lakshmipati’s applause by forging greater tightwad. Aside from this, Lakshmipati fixes Padma's alliance with wealthy Kukuteswara Rao, who accompanies his two glutton brothers and Krishna Murthy wittily deters them. Parallelly, as a glimpse, Lakshmipati's son Sundaram loves Subba Rao's sibling Sita, which constructs a status barrier. However, Krishna Murthy dealt with the issue by allowing the bid amount. Elated with the turn of events, Lakshmipati announces Padma's matrimony with Krishna Murthy.

Meanwhile, Satyanarayana arrives as he avoids falling behind the bet and creates rifts. Hence, Krishna Murthy plans to couple up Padma with Sundaram’s wedlock. At that moment, Lakshmipati's avarice calls off the two with the falsehood that Subba Rao shall not grant the dowry. Plus, he mortifies & batters Krishna Murthy when enraged Satyanarayana revolts and showcases Lakshmipati's actual shade. A futile Krishna Murthy proceeds with his father, but he seeks a last chance midway since there are four more days. Thus, he moves several pawns by organizing four conjugal matches to Padma involving Kukuteswara Rao, too. They all bid on the bride price, and cheapskate Lakshmipati accepts the highest auction.

Additionally, Krishna Murthy protests Lakshmipati via Subba Rao's colleagues who noise him by operating buses. Then, he accepts the invitation to join them also. Just before the splice, the four bridegrooms clash when Padma admonishes her father. Hereupon, Lakshmipati dies out of remorse and declares that he will bestow his totality on the poor. At last, he pleads pardon to Krishna Murthy and offers Padma's hand. Satyanarayana appears therein, hailing his son's victory with his original identity. Finally, the movie ends comically, Lakshmipati passing away, and he reincarnated as Krishna Murthy & Padma's progeny, a new miser.

Cast

 * Rajendra Prasad as Krishna Murthy
 * Rajani as Padma
 * Kota Srinivasa Rao as Lakshmipati
 * Nutan Prasad as Satyanarayana
 * Rallapalli as Appanna
 * Bramhanandam as Govindu Ara Gundu
 * Suthi Veerabhadra Rao as Collector Venkat Rao
 * Suthi Velu as Pinaasi Sangham Head
 * Subhalekha Sudhakar as Kukkuteswara Rao
 * Babu Mohan as a member of RTC bus union
 * Vidyasagar as Subba Rao
 * Gundu Hanumantha Rao as Bridegroom's father
 * Ashok Kumar as Kaviraju, Hotel manager
 * Chitti Babu as Chitti, Krishna Murthy's mate
 * Jenny as Hotel server
 * Telangana Shakuntala as Hostel warden
 * Sumithra as Rajyam
 * Dubbing Janaki as Janaki
 * Sandhya as Sita
 * Jhansi
 * Vishwas as Sundaram
 * Kuyili as a special appearance as jogging girl
 * Savitri as a special appearance as Sasirekha from Mayabazar in the song "Aha Na Pellanta"
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as a special appearance as Ghatotkacha from Mayabazar in the song "Aha Na Pellanta"

Soundtrack
Music composed by Ramesh Naidu. Music released on AVM Audio Company.

Reception
Griddaluru Gopalrao of Zamin Ryot, writing his review on 4 December 1987, appreciated the way Jandhyala imbibed humour in the film's dialogues, "Though the comedy scenes are far from reality at times, they are very close in making the audience laugh [ sic]," Gopalrao added.

Legacy
Jahnavi Reddy of The News Minute, wrote that the film is noted for its dialogues and unique insults, which came to be used commonly in conversations. "While more recent films and their dialogues are frequently woven into conversations, there has been a big change in the kind of Telugu used in these popular dialogue," she added.