Ravi Teja was an assistant director on ‘Ninne Pelladatha’, reveals Manju Bhargavi

Before the fame, the box-office successes and the title of Mass Maharaja, Ravi Teja was a young assistant director working behind the camera.

Veteran actress Manju Bhargavi has now recalled those early days, revealing an interesting connection between the actor and the 1996 Telugu blockbuster 'Ninne Pelladatha' (1996).

In an interview with Sakshi TV's Flashback, Bhargavi revisited her association with some of the most memorable films of her career, including 'Yamaleela' (1994) and 'Ninne Pelladatha'.

Among the many memories she shared was that of a tall young man who was part of the assistant direction team during the making of the latter film. That young man, she revealed, was Teja, who has since established himself as one of Telugu cinema's prominent leading actors.

The revelation offers a glimpse into a lesser-known phase of Teja's career, when he was still working behind the camera, years before becoming a familiar face on the big screen.

A train journey, a lively film unit and memories of 'Ninne Pelladatha'

For Bhargavi, the memories of 'Ninne Pelladatha' are as much about the people involved as they are about the film itself.

Recalling the shooting experience, she spoke warmly about director Krishna Vamsi, describing him as someone who never maintained a formal distance from the cast and crew.

‘He mingled freely with everyone, creating an atmosphere in which the entire unit felt like a family’, she said.

One particular incident that stayed with her was a train journey from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam.

The cast and crew travelled together, turning the compartment into a lively space filled with chatter and laughter. Bhargavi recalled how the team enjoyed the journey, with the camaraderie extending beyond the film sets.

Crediting the director's approach to filmmaking, she described the experience as enjoyable and memorable.

Released on October 4, 1996, 'Ninne Pelladatha' featured Nagarjuna and Tabu in the lead roles, with Bhargavi appearing in an important supporting role.

Produced by Nagarjuna under the Annapurna Studios banner, the romantic family drama became a major success.

The film also earned national recognition, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for 1996. Its treatment of contemporary family relationships was specifically recognised in the award citation.

With music composed by Sandeep Chowta, the film remains an important title in Krishna Vamsi's filmography.

Bhargavi's recollections now offer another interesting detail from its making, particularly Teja's early association with the project.

From 'Shankarabharanam' (1980) to 'Yamaleela' (1994)

The conversation also took Bhargavi back to another significant chapter of her career, her return to Telugu cinema with 'Yamaleela' (1994).

Having earned recognition for her performance in K Viswanath's acclaimed musical drama 'Shankarabharanam', the actress returned to the Telugu film industry with a substantial role in the SV Krishna Reddy-directed fantasy comedy, nearly 15 years later.

Starring Ali in the lead role alongside Indraja, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Brahmanandam and Bhargavi, 'Yamaleela' became one of the notable commercial successes of its time.

The film revolved around Suraj, played by Ali, a young man determined to restore his family's lost ancestral palace to make his mother happy.

His fortunes take an unexpected turn when he comes across a magical book that can predict future events.

The book, which belongs to Chitragupta, brings Lord Yama and his companion to Earth in search of it, setting the stage for the film's fantasy-driven comedy.

For Bhargavi, the decision to join the film was an easy one. Recalling how she was approached for the project, she said Krishna Reddy had specifically wanted her for the mother's character.

The director reportedly told her that she was the only person he had in mind for the role. Impressed by the subject and the confidence he placed in her, she agreed to the project immediately.

Bhargavi also revealed that the filmmaker had visualised her in the character while writing the story.

She described the mother's role as central to the narrative, with the film's emotional progression closely tied to her character.

The actress said the emotional aspects of the role resonated with audiences and remained an important part of the film's appeal.

The tremendous response to 'Yamaleela' left her immensely satisfied, she recalled, adding that she felt proud of having been associated with the project.

From the success of 'Yamaleela' to the memorable experience of working on 'Ninne Pelladatha', Bhargavi's recollections offer a window into Telugu cinema of the 1990s.

They also bring to light an interesting footnote in the career of Teja, who was once among the young technicians working behind the scenes before emerging as a leading star.