C. Aswini Dutt

{{Infobox person

| name = C. Aswini Dutt

| image = Chalasani Aswani Dutt by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| caption = Dutt at San Diego Comic-Con in 2023

| birth_name = Chalasani Aswani Dutt

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|09|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

| occupation = Film producer

| organization = Vyjayanthi Movies

| spouse = Vinaya Kumari

| children = 3 including Swapna Dutt, Priyanka Dutt

| party = Telugu Desam Party

| awards = National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu - Mahanati (2018)

}}

Chalasani Aswini Dutt (also spelled Aswani Dutt; born 15 September 1950) is an Indian film producer primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema.{{Cite web |last=Jonnalagedda |first=Pranita |date=2016-12-19 |title=Dil Raju, Ashwini Dutt for Mahesh Babu |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/191216/dil-raju-ashwini-dutt-for-mahesh-babu.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210203118/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/191216/dil-raju-ashwini-dutt-for-mahesh-babu.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2016-12-30 |title=Director Vamshi Paidipally lands in soup for Mahesh Babu’s next |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/director-vamshi-paidipally-lands-in-soup-for-mahesh-babus-next-4451519/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202735/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/director-vamshi-paidipally-lands-in-soup-for-mahesh-babus-next-4451519/ |url-status=live }} He is the founder of Vyjayanthi Movies, a major film production company established in 1974. Over a career spanning five decades, Aswini Dutt has produced over 40 films, predominantly in Telugu, along with a few in other languages.{{Cite web |last= |date=2 December 2004 |title=Aswini Dutt - Producer of Vyjayanthi banner - Interview by Jeevi |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview-aswinidutt.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Idlebrain.com |quote=Aswini Dutt, who is been[sic] one of the most consistent and successful film producer during spanning period over 27 years .... |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903181414/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview-aswinidutt.html |url-status=live }} He is especially known for producing high-budget films featuring major stars.{{Cite news |last=Mary |first=S. B. Vijaya |date=2020-05-07 |title=Celebrating 30 years of the Chiranjeevi-Sridevi Telugu blockbuster ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |access-date=2022-09-03 |issn=0971-751X |quote=Vyjayanthi Movies, known for big budget and lavish productions had a successful run, till it hit a rough patch with Shakti in 2011. |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013080042/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |url-status=live }}

He also contested for the Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency in the year 2004 General Elections as a Telugu Desam Party candidate.

Early and personal life

Aswini Dutt was born into a well-to-do family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a contractor and the sole distributor for Kalinga Pipes in the state for many years. He completed his graduation.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2002 |title=Interview with Aswini Dutt by Jeevi |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt1.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Idlebrain.com |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903181416/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt1.html |url-status=live }} Jandhyala, who would later go on to become a noted film director and screenwriter, was Aswini Dutt's childhood friend. They were classmates from fourth standard till their graduation and lived in neighbouring houses.{{Citation |title=Producer C. Aswani Dutt {{!}}{{!}} Cheppalani Vundhi {{!}} 18th September 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORVQfP44IUA |language=en |access-date=2022-09-03 |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803203458/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORVQfP44IUA&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} From 2:05 to 3:02{{Cite news |last=Mary |first=S. B. Vijaya |date=2020-05-07 |title=Celebrating 30 years of the Chiranjeevi-Sridevi Telugu blockbuster ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |access-date=2022-09-03 |issn=0971-751X |quote=The late Jandhyala, who Ashwini Dutt informs, was his classmate from Kindergarten to SSLC, worked wonders with his trademark humour in the dialogues. |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013080042/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |url-status=live }}

He has three daughters {{Em dash}} Priyanka Dutt, Swapna Dutt and Sravanthi Dutt. Priyanka is married to film director Nag Ashwin who previously directed the film Yevade Subramanyam (2015) for Vyjayanthi Movies.{{Cite web |date=7 December 2015 |title=Ashwini Dutt's daughter Priyanka Dutt marries director Nag Ashwin |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ashwini-dutt-s-daughter-priyanka-dutt-marries-director-nag-ashwin-2152884 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=DNA India |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903192726/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ashwini-dutt-s-daughter-priyanka-dutt-marries-director-nag-ashwin-2152884 |url-status=live }}

Film career

Dutt started his film career as an executive producer for the black-and-white film O Seetha Katha (1974) directed by K. Viswanath.{{Cite news |last=Mary |first=S. B. Vijaya |date=2020-05-07 |title=Celebrating 30 years of the Chiranjeevi-Sridevi Telugu blockbuster 'Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari' |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |access-date=2020-08-09 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013080042/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/celebrating-30-years-of-the-chiranjeevi-sridevi-telugu-blockbuster-jagadeka-veerudu-athiloka-sundari/article31524731.ece |url-status=live }} He wanted to produce a film with his favourite actor N. T. Rama Rao and approached him.{{Citation |title=First story about the inception of Vyjayanthi Movies presented by Rana {{!}} #VintageVyjayanthi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3EUeTYFnqA |language=en |access-date=2022-09-04 |archive-date=18 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118113337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3EUeTYFnqA |url-status=live }} Named by Rama Rao after the garland which is in Lord Krishna’s neck, Vyjayanthi Movies commenced production, under the proprietorship of Aswini Dutt.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-24 |title=Story Behind 'Vyjayanthi' Name Finally Revealed |url=https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/story-behind-ashwini-dutt-vyjayanthi-movies-name/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=Mirchi9 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629105502/https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/story-behind-ashwini-dutt-vyjayanthi-movies-name/ |url-status=live }} The logo of the production house contains the image of Rama Rao as Lord Sri Krishna, with a Sankha in his hand and Earth behind him.{{Citation |first= |title=A beautiful story of Legendary NTR on his birthday {{!}} Vintage Vyjayanthi |date=28 May 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYtK5_3YZGs |publisher=Vyjayanthi Network |language=en |access-date=2022-09-12 |archive-date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430115350/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYtK5_3YZGs&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }} The first film produced under Vyjayanthi Movies banner was Eduruleni Manishi (1975) starring Rama Rao and Vanisri.

The production house went on to make films with the biggest stars of Telugu cinema: N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, Jr. NTR, Prabhas. They also worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Dulquer Salman.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2002 |title=Interview with Aswini Dutt by Jeevi |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903181416/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt1.html |archive-date=3 September 2022 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Idlebrain.com |quote=Aswini Dutt, the man behind Telugu Cinema's one of the prestigious banners - Vyjayanthi Movies, is a senior most producer of Telugu film industry. He has produced blockbusters with all the stars of Telugu Cinema ranging from NTR to Taraka Rathnaa.}}{{Cite web |date=6 August 2003 |title=Interview with Aswini Dutt by Jeevi |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt2.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Idlebrain.com |quote=Aswini Dutt, the man behind Telugu Cinema's one of the prestigious banners - Vyjayanthi Movies, is a senior most producer of Telugu film industry. He has produced blockbusters with all the stars of Telugu Cinema ranging from NTR to NTR. |archive-date=18 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118113337/https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_aswinidutt2.html |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Journey Of Vyjayanthi Movies in Tollywood From 1974 To Till Now |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDHdfdzqqM |language=en |access-date=2022-09-04 |archive-date=18 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118113329/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDHdfdzqqM&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }} Many of the films produced by Vyjayanthi Movies were directed by K. Bapayya and K. Raghavendra Rao.

Vyjayanthi Movies also has subsidiary banners {{Em dash}} Three Angels Studio, Swapna Cinema run by Aswini Dutt's daughters Swapna Dutt and Priyanka Dutt. Of late, his daughters take care of the production part of the films produced by their production house, while the music is handled Aswini Dutt.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-28 |title=Interview : Ashwini Dutt – Dulquer did a convincing job in Sita Ramam |url=https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/interview-ashwini-dutt-dulquer-did-a-convincing-job-in-sita-ramam.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=123Telugu.com |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903181406/https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/interview-ashwini-dutt-dulquer-did-a-convincing-job-in-sita-ramam.html |url-status=live }}

Vyjayanthi Movies had a successful run until it hit a rough patch with Sakthi in 2011. After this, Aswini Dutt took a seven-year hiatus. He produced Mahanati in 2018 which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

Dutt mentions Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) as his most favourite among all the films that he produced.

Shelved projects

After the success of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Aswini Dutt sought to produce a fantasy film with a focus on CGI. He initiated a project titled Bhooloka Veerudu, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, with Chiranjeevi in the lead role. However, after completing two schedules, the team realized that the film lacked a proper storyline, leading to its eventual shelving.

In another instance, Ram Gopal Varma pitched a story to Aswini Dutt, which he and Chiranjeevi both found appealing. At the time, Varma was working on Daud, and with the possibility of delays due to Sanjay Dutt's legal issues, Varma decided to present the story to Dutt and Chiranjeevi. Aswini Dutt then began the project under Varma's direction.{{Cite web |date=21 November 1997 |title=అశ్వనీదత్ చిత్రానికి దర్శకుడు మారాడు! |url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1997/Nov/21-Nov-1997.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111010335/http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1997/Nov/21-Nov-1997.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2022 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Zamin Ryot |page=9 |language=te}} However, after Sanjay Dutt was released, the production of Daud resumed, and Dutt realized that the storylines of both films were strikingly similar. Uncomfortable with the overlap, he chose to stall the project.