Samudram (1999 film)

 Samudram is a 1999 Indian Telugu-language action film, produced by J.Bhagavan, D. V. V. Danayya under the Sri Balaji Art Creations banner and directed by Krishna Vamsi. It stars Jagapati Babu, Sakshi Shivanand, Srihari, Prakash Raj and Ravi Teja, with music composed by Shashi Preetam. The film won three state Nandi Awards.

Plot
The film begins with a murder convict, Sagar, moving toward the Vizag Central Jail. He attempts to escape but is grabbed, tormented, and kept in solitary confinement, where he flashbacks. Sagar is an easy-going youngster who lives with his widowed mother, sister Chanti, girlfriend Rajyalakshmi, and friends.

Besides, Chepala Krishna is a thug pilot smuggling to partake in politics. Chepala Nani, his younger brother, is a hoodlum who pains the locals. Sagar has brawled with him since childhood and hinders his wrongs. Meanwhile, C.I. Srihari, a stout-hearted cop newly deputed to the region, encounters Chepala Krishna's criminal acts & settlements with the aid of trustworthy S.I. Krishnam Raju. Moreover, shortly before, Krishna is approaching to nominate as MLA Srihari apprehends in a petty case. By ensuring he cannot contest any election in the coming five years. It begrudges Krishna & Nani and seeks vengeance.

Likewise, Sagar fixes Chanti's alliance, and everything comes out right. On the day of the engagement, Sagar proceeds to collect the jewelry. Simultaneously, Srihari falsified the illicit trafficking of Nani when he chases him with the team. As a flabbergast, Krishnam Raju turns out to be a traitor who backstabs Srihari by mingling with Chepala Krishna. Adversely, Sagar, passing on the path, views the evil episode and rushes to protect Srihari, but it is too late. The malefactors incriminate Sagar, consort the proofs, and alter the postmortem report. The judiciary sentences Sagar to life, declaring him guilty.

Afterward, Nuka Raju is a humble constable who has recently transferred and avid admirer of the late Srihari. Once Nani attempts to molest Chanti amidst the chaos, Sagar's mother is injured and hospitalized. Due to this, they permit Sagar to see his mother, and Nuka Raju oversees him when he skips giving a slip. Presently, Sagar destroys Chapala Krishna's domain, and they are completely mystified as the balloon goes up. Parallelly, Nuka Raju has to pay suspension for that ache, and he sets his eyes on Sagar. During the trial, he detects something fishy about Srihari's death and opens the formal. Sagar befits diehard knaves and abducts Nani & Krishnam Raju. Step-by-step, Nuka Raju blabs the truth and acquires the postmortem report by fusing with Sagar. Accordingly, Krishna onslaughts on them when Nuka Raju secures the postmortem report holding endangered. At last, Sagar ceases the baddies, acquits non-guilty, and requests Nuka Raju to espouse Chanti. Finally, the movie ends happily.

Soundtrack
Music composed by Shashi Preetam.

Production
Initially, the film was planned with Nagarjuna Akkineni in the lead role and titled Anyayam. During location scouting, a person approached Krishna Vamsi and compared his film Gulabi with Ram Gopal Varma's style. Basing on that comparison, Krishna Vamsi immediately cancelled the project and made Ninne Pelladata instead.

Reception
Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote that "A best recommended film for those all movie buffs who want to experience the nuances of shot making". In a negative review, a critic from Sify wrote that "Except Srihari in a brief role none have much to offer by way of acting. In fact right from the hero to the villain Bharani, all are victims of a poor script. The musical score by Sasi Preetham is loud. A film worth dumping in the sea".

Awards

 * Nandi Awards
 * Best Villain – Tanikella Bharani
 * Best Audiographer – Madhusudhana Reddy
 * Best Editor - Shankar