Raja Vikramarka (1990 film)

Raja Vikramarka is the prince of Skanda Dweepam, a small kingdom. As he is a prince, he is not allowed to live his own free life. His father Raja Bhupathi arranges his marriage with another kingdom's princess. She turns out to be nothing more than a sycophant, one without a brain or spine of her own. Vikramarka leaves the kingdom along with his trusted friend, Jockie, to live his own life.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2019 |title=Birthday Special! Brahmanandam: Tracing the journey of the popular comedian in Tollywood so far |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/birthday-special-brahmanandam-tracing-the-journey-of-the-popular-comedian-in-tollywood-so-far/photostory/67790174.cms |access-date=7 October 2019 |website=The Times of India}} In the modern big city, he finds a friend and works as a mechanic, during which time he saves a woman Rekha from two attempts on her life. Her uncle Vishwanatham hires him as her bodyguard. Viswanatham later reveals to him that he was in fact the assassin trying to kill her for her money. To thwart his plot, Vikramarka agrees to handle the murder attempts, while at the same time trying to save her. After being thrown out of the house, Viswanatham, along with his allies Kanaka Rao and Raja Kotappa join forces to kill Vikramarka and his parents. Vikramarka saves the day and rules as king of his land.

{{Cast listing|

• Chiranjeevi as Raja Vikramarka, a prince
• Radhika as Maya
• Amala as Rekha
• Rao Gopal Rao as Viswanatham, Rekha's uncle and an assassin
• Kaikala Satyanarayana as Raja Bhupathi
• Kota Srinivasa Rao as Raja Kotappa
• Allu Rama Lingaiah as Joginatham
• Brahmanandam as Janaki / Jockey
• Gollapudi Maruti Rao as Kanaka Rao
• Sudhakar as Kireeti
• King Kong as Tarjan
• K. R. Vijaya as Queen
• Annapurna as Savitri
• Sri Lakshmi as Mangala
• Srilatha
• Sandhya
• Narayana Rao as Ganapathi
• Hari Prasad as Hari
• Prasad Babu as Thangavelu
• Manik Irani as Billa
• Nalinikanth
• Arun Kumar
• Vijay Kumar
• Jaggarao
• Ashok Kumar
• Anjaneyulu
• Seshagiri Rao
• Madhava Rao

}}

The production of Raja Vikramarka began on August 7, 1989, in Bangalore. The film marked the only collaboration between Chiranjeevi and Amala, with Radhika also playing a lead role. Rajinikanth, who was in Bangalore at the time, attended the launch as the chief guest and gave the inaugural clap for the film.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-10 |title=‘రాజా విక్రమార్క’ వెనుక అంత కథుంది! |url=https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2022/oldies/there-is-a-story-behind-raja-vikramarkangtschitrajyothy-32306.html |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Chitra Jyothy |publisher=Andhra Jyothy |language=te}}

During the production of Raja Vikramarka, Chiranjeevi committed to his debut Hindi film, Pratibandh (1990), leading to overlapping schedules. Producer Amaranatha Reddy reassured him and adjusted the timelines, allowing Chiranjeevi to complete Pratibandh during the dates originally allocated for Raja Vikramarka. Interestingly, the Raja Vikramarka's director, Ravi Raja Pinisetty, also directed Pratibandh.

The production faced further delays due to various factors. Amala traveled to the United States, while Radhika left for London during the filming. As a result, the film, which began in 1989, took 13 months to complete and release.

Raja Vikramarka is a remake of the 1989 Bengali film Asha O Bhalobasha, which itself is based on a story by Shaktipada Rajguru.{{Cite news |title=Remakes of Bengali films |url=https://www.quora.com/Which-movies-were-first-made-in-Bengali-and-then-adapted-or-remade-by-Bollywood}} A particular scene from the film was reportedly inspired by the 1988 American film Coming to America.{{Cite web |date=23 August 2021 |title=Chiranjeevi's hottest romantic scenes on silver screen. See here |url=https://news24online.com/news/entertainment/when-chiranjeevi-set-screen-fire/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |website=News 24}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Raja Vikramarka

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Raj–Koti

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 1990

| recorded = 1990

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Film soundtrack

| length = {{Duration|m=|s=}}

| label = Aditya Music

| producer = Raj–Koti

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

The soundtrack was composed by the duo Raj–Koti, their 100th soundtrack as composers.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2021 |title=Kartikeya's new film titled Raja Vikramarka |url=https://telugucinema.com/news/kartikeyas-new-film-titled-raja-vikramarka |access-date=14 September 2021 |website=Telugu Cinema}} The album consists of six songs. Lyrics for all songs were penned by Veturi.{{Cite web |title=Raja Vikramarka |url=https://gaana.com/album/raja-vikramarka |access-date=14 September 2021 |website=Gaana}}

{{track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 31:35

| title1 = Erraroi

| lyrics1 = Veturi

| extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| length1 = 4:48

| title2 = Ellelo

| lyrics2 = Veturi

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

| length2 = 5:05

| title3 = Gagana Kirana

| lyrics3 = Veturi

| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, Radhika

| length3 = 6:04

| title4 = Aanatinundi

| lyrics4 = Veturi

| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela

| length4 = 4:52

| title5 = Naginivo

| lyrics5 = Veturi

| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra,

| length5 = 5:27

| title6 = Bhala Changu Bhala

| lyrics6 = Veturi

| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra

| length6 = 6:35

}}

Despite its grand scale, innovative backdrop, and significant budget, Raja Vikramarka did not achieve the anticipated success at the box office.

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|id=0246184}}

{{Ravi Raja Pinisetty}}

Category:1990 films

Category:1990s Telugu-language films

Category:Telugu remakes of Bengali films

Category:1990s Indian films

Category:Films directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty

Category:Films scored by Raj–Koti