Raju Peda


Raju Peda is a 1954 Telugu-language Indian film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao under the B.A.S. Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao, Master Sudhakar in the lead roles and music composed by Saluri 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 and dubbed into Tamil as Aandi Petra Selvan.

Plot

Two identical boys are born on the same day to King Surendra Dev and to a thief Poligadu. Twelve years later, the sick King decides to crown the Prince Narendra Dev. His lookalike Narigadu tortured by his father for refusing to beg, leaves home without informing his mother Achi and sister Malli. He is caught by the palace guards, but is saved by the Prince. They exchange clothes and find that they look identical. Narigadu falls asleep on the Prince’s bed. Mistaking him for Narigadu, the guards throw the prince out. Thus they accidentally exchange places.
Soon the prince leaves Poligadu’s house. Sudhir, a valiant soldier who is in love with Malli, takes care of him. Meanwhile, the king dies. The army commander Vikram Dev plots to usurp the kingdom. He learns the truth about Narigadu and compels him to act as the prince. He also plots to kill the real prince, but Poligadu and Sudhir thwart his plan. In the fight that follows, Poligadu kills Vikram. Narendra Dev is crowned as the king. He orders Poligadu and his family to stay with him in the palace.

Cast

;Telugu
The music of the film was composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao.
;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, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, Jikki, M. S. Rajeswari, Sathiyawathi and P. Leela.

Awards