Movie Stories
Rangeli Raja Story
The film begins with the mysterious slaughtering of [[Rao Bahadur]] Jaganatha Rao, which incriminates his stanch aide Ramadasu. So, he flees with Jaganatha Rao’s wealth to safeguard it, covering his identity as Hanumantha Rao. At the same time, he is seeking Jaganatha Rao’s wife, Parvathamma, and son, Raja, to return their belongings. Believing that Ramadasu is the murderer, Parvathamma hides behind her sibling Narasimham. Ramadasu has two daughters, Jaya and Vijaya. Once, Jaya is lifted by a thief, leading to his wife Lakshmi’s demise. Years roll by, and Raja grows up jovial but steps forward for vengeance, being aware of his father’s assassination. Parallelly, a notorious criminal wing, whose chieftain is under a veil, entrusts Raja’s pursuit to his son Kumar. Raja lands in town and befriends a vagabond, Chandram, who aids him in his hunt. Ramadasu, still in search of Jaganatha Rao’s family, crosses paths again. Raja gets acquainted with Vijaya, and they fall in love. Meanwhile, Jaya—Ramadasu’s lost daughter—is a petty thief who endears Chandram. Ahead, Kumar is behind Raja, but he gamely counterattacks while Chandram tactically intrudes with them.
As per his vow, Ramadasu opposes Raja and Vijaya’s love affair, wanting to couple her only with Jaganatha Rao’s son. Simultaneously, before his last breath, Jaya’s foster father proclaims her birth secret. Chandram discerns her parentage, realizing she is Ramadasu’s child, and notifies the Supreme. Unfortunately, Raja is captured by Kumar while the Supreme mandates to seize Parvathamma too, which Kumar does. As a flabbergast, the Supreme is unmasked as Narasimham—the true killer of Jaganatha Rao—which startles Parvathamma and Raja. At present, Narasimham forges Kumar as Jaganatha Rao’s heir by threatening Parvathamma and Raja, and they reach Ramadasu to procure the riches. Forthwith, Ramadasu arranges Kumar and Vijaya’s alliance. Surprisingly, Chandram reveals himself as a CBI Officer, rescues Raja, and arrives at the venue. At last, Raja defeats the villains, and Ramadasu regains Jaya. Finally, the movie ends happily.

Director: C. S. Rao
Cast (highlights): Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Kanchana; with Gummadi, Chalam, Kaikala Satyanarayana
Genre: Action drama
Notability: Rajyam Productions (C. Lakshmi Rajyam et al.); music by Ghantasala; released 17 Dec 1971; ~168 min; cinematography by Kamal Ghosh.
Critical Reception: Mainstream adventure noted for Ghantasala’s songs; a standard commercial vehicle of the period.
ANR Related Movie Stories
-
List of ANR Movie Stories