Raju Peda

Raju Peda is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao and Master Sudhakar, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on Mark Twain’s 1881 novel, The Prince and the Pauper and was later remade into the Hindi film Raja Aur Runk (1968) and dubbed into Tamil as Aandi Petra Selvan (1957).

Plot
The film begins in a kingdom with the birth of 2 doppelgangers. First is Narendra Dev as an heir of Empire Surendra Dev, and next is Narisigadu to beggar & thief Poligadu in the slam. After 12 years, Surendra Dev gets terminally ill, hence delegates the royal assent to the prince, conscious that his spiteful brother-in-law Vikram ploys to usurp the crown. Narisigadu resides with his mother, Achamma, & sibling, Malli, with an impoverished lifestyle. Loaf Poligadu vexes him, who bars his schooling and warns him to beg. Thus, he flees and loiters around the palace gates that Narendra spots and invites him. At that point, Narendra silently hides the Royal Assent. Next, the two discern their uncanny resemblance and swap when the guards drive away Narendra under misinterpretation. From there, the prince faces hardship and comprehends the grief of his public. Parallelly, the Emperor & royal attends are astonished by Narsigadu's weird behavior and options it as memory loss. Surendra Dev repeatedly asks him for the missing Royal Assent, but he knows nothing about it. Narendra eventually lands at Narsigadu's residence, where he shows his autocratic rule, and Poligadu subjects him to the torments. Narendra manages to escape and meets Sudhir, a noble soldier in a crush with Malli. Although Sudhir is unconvinced by Narendra's claims of royalty, he humors & shelters him.

Meanwhile, Surendra Dev passes away, assigning the prince's charge to his stanch, Vijaya Varma. Besides, Poligadu & his barrow gang scheme to heist the treasury when Narendra also joins & aids them in intruding into the court. Here, Narendra accuses Narigadu of snatching his rank, but he humbly bows down, stating the fact. Overhearing it, Vikram wiles to assassinate the prince via his acolyte, Subedar, clutches Narisigadu by threat and ruses a mock coronation. Subedar abducts Narendra when ready to kill Poligadu & Sudhir grasp and thwart the plan. Just before the coronation, Poligadu & Sudhir arrive with Narendra when all are shocked at their resemblance, but Vikram makes nobles refuse to believe him. Ergo, Narendra provides the ideal answers to their question and proclaims the whereabouts of the missing Royal Assent. Then, Vikram seeks to slay Narendra, and Narisigadu guards him. Forthwith, Poligadu ceases Vikram. At last, Narendra rewards Narisigadu with honorable rank and his family's right to sit in his presence. Finally, the movie ends happily with Narendra's crowing ceremony.

Cast

 * N. T. Rama Rao as Poligadu
 * Lakshmirajyam as Achamma
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Maharaju Surendra Dev
 * Relangi as Sudhir
 * R. Nageswara Rao as Vikram
 * Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah as Bhugolam Panthulu
 * V. C. Kamaraju as Vijay
 * Lakshmaiah Chowdary as Subedhar
 * Chelamaiah Chowdary as Raja Guruvu
 * Jaya Rami Reddy as Bhaskar
 * Lakshman Rao as Prabhakar
 * Ammaji as Malli
 * T. D. Kusalakumari as dancer
 * Master Sudhakar as Narendra Dev & Naarigadu (dual role)

Telugu
The music of the film was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Lyrics were by Tapi Dharma Rao, Aatreya and Kosaraju. Playback singers are Ghantasala, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Jikki, K. Rani, P. Susheela and T. Sathyavathi.

Tamil
Music for the Tamil version was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and the lyrics were penned by Kuyilan and Puratchidasan. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, S. C. Krishnan, Jikki, P. Leela, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, M. S. Rajeswari, T. Sathyavathi and Kamala.

Awards

 * This film was one of N. T. Rama Rao's finest performances, for which he was presented the Rashtrapati Award.