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Devi (1999 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Devi' is a 1999 Indian Telugu-language fantasy film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna and produced by M. S. Raju. The film stars Prema as the title character alongside Vanitha, Shiju, Abu Salim and Bhanuchander. Sowkar Janaki and Babu Mohan play supporting roles. The plot follows Devi, a Nagini who descents to Earth and faces the evil Dantra. Vanitha, Shiju and Salim make their debuts in Telugu cinema. The music was composed by debutant Devi Sri Prasad. The film was released on 12 March 1999 and became successful at the box office.
Plot
Devi, a Nagini from the Nagaloka comes to Earth on the day of an eclipse with her friends to perform special pooja. Naginis must return before the eclipse starts, otherwise, they lose their power until the eclipse completes. However, Devi is distracted by Dantra, an evil Naga who had been punished by Nagadeva earlier and was sent to Naraka as a punishment. Dantra imprisons Devi with fire during the eclipse while her other friends return to Nagaloka before the eclipse.
Devi is saved by Suseela's father who is killed by Dantra in the process. Devi decides to save Suseela from her relatives as an act of reciprocation. She plans to marry Suseela with her cousin Raghava but they are unaware of their relationship. Raghava and Suseela fall in love. Devi patches the broken relationship between their families and they get married.
Nagadeva appears before Devi and commands her to return to the Nagaloka. Devi refuses as she intends to stay back to protect Suseela. She promises Nagadeva that she would return once Suseela gives birth to a child because the child would be a Godly blessed one which saves Sussela from Dantra. Nagadeva accepts and gives her power which can even bring back the lost life. Vijay, Raghava's younger brother loves Devi but she avoids him.
In the meantime, Suseela becomes pregnant and everyone is happy. Dantra, with the help of another evil, imprisons Devi for a while and attacks Suseela. Suseela falls from the stairs and loses the child. Devi with the help of Nagadeva's power brings the child. Suseela gives birth and on its naming ceremony, Dantra confronts Devi that the child was born on inauspicious timing therefore, Raghava's life is under threat. Devi postpones her departure to the Nagaloka as a result.
In order to save Raghava, Devi makes Sussela perform pooja for the eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi (Ashta Lakshmi). They bless Sussela to have a long life with her husband. Devi appears before them and informs them about Dantra's curse. They offer Devi a solution. When someone performs a pooja for Shakti in Himalayas, she will protect her from all the evils. As humans can't survive in the heights of the Himalayas for long, Devi decides to perform the pooja on behalf of Suseela. However, Ashta Lakshmi tell her that she is not eligible for the task, as only a member of Suseela's family can perform the pooja. They vanish.
Devi asks Suseela to perform pooja in her home for nine days continuously and leaves. Devi marries Vijay hurriedly and leaves for the Himalayas without his knowledge. Vijay shares his joy with his family but no one believes him. He goes in search of Devi. Devi is about to complete her pooja but on the final day (which happens to be a day of the solar eclipse), before Shakti arrives in front of her, Dantra imprisons Vijay and compels Devi to come out of the temple. The eclipse starts and Devi loses her power. She reveals herself to Vijay who helps her to reach the temple.
Devi performs the final pooja. Dantra disguises himself as Raghava and arrives at Suseela's home. He asks her to come to bed but she resists. Vijay and Raghava (Dantra) confront each other. Devi sacrifices her life and Sakthidevi appears. She helps Devi to kill Dantra and Raghava is saved by his friend. Nagadeva arrives and Devi bids adieu and leaves. Vijay feels for Devi. Suddenly, Nagadeva appears again and gives back Devi to him as she is not an unmarried Nagini anymore.
Cast
*Prema as Devi, The Snake Princess
*Vanitha as Suseela, Vijay's sister-in-law
*Shiju as Vijay
*Abu Salim as Dantra
*Bhanuchander as Raghava, Vijay's elder brother
*Sowkar Janaki as Vijay's grand mother
*Babu Mohan as Servant
*Master Mahendra as Young Dantra
*Kota Shankar Rao
*Krishnaveni Veni
Production
M. S. Raju who was reeling under the failure of 'Street Fighter' decided to make a devotional film with a new star cast. He cast Kannada actress Prema and Malayalam actor Shiju in the main roles. Abu Salim, a police officer from Mangalore was selected for the negative role, while Vanitha, daughter of actor Vijayakumar was selected to play an important character.
Soundtrack
The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad making his debut at the age of 19 and he is the youngest music composer as a debutant after Yuvan Shankar Raja who made his first film at the age of 16.
Release
The film was dubbed into Hindi and Tamil. All the three versions became successful at the box office.
Awards
*1999: Nandi Award for Best Child Actor - Master Mahendra won
References
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