25 Years of Ninne Pelladatha: Director Krishna Vamsi looks back at the iconic entertainer with Nagarjuna, Tabu

Ninne Pelladatha, the much-celebrated family entertainer, starring Nagarjuna, Tabu, Lakshmi, Ahuthi Prasad, Chandra Mohan and others in lead roles, celebrates its 25th release anniversary today. Produced by the lead actor Nagarjuna himself, the film was a Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun-equivalent in Telugu cinema, directed by Krishna Vamsi and had music by Sandeep Chowtha. The landmark film went on to receive the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu in 1996 and registered impressive numbers at the theatrical window too. 

Commemorating the occasion, the film director shared his experiences of making Ninne Pelladatha on Facebook. "25 grand n sweet years .... I am blessed to b d main part of this iconic film .... Once in a life time experience.... Hundred percent credit goes to king NAGARJUNAGARU .... He allowed,comforted ,controlled,corrected n supported in d conception n execution of this film ... Bigggg thank u sir ...... ThQ tabu ThQ laxmigaru thank u all other artistes ... ThQ late prasad ThQ samdeep chowtha ,ThQ Sankar,ThQ peketirangagaru ThQ nidhiprasad,ThQ padmasri sastrygaru ThQ all co technicians .,ThQ Telugu audience 💓💓💓💓💓💓💓.. ThQ UNIVERSE," he shared.

It's the first film that starred Nagarjuna and Tabu as a lead pair and their on-chemistry received rave reviews at the time of release. Nagarjuna was associated with the term 'Greeku Veerudu' ever since, named after a popular song from the film. Kannuloni Roopame, Yeto Vellipoyindi, Nathora Thamashalalo and Ninne Pelladesthanantu were among the other hit tracks from the film's memorable album. Ninne Pelladatha is a perfect cocktail of humour, action, drama and great music that revolved around two cousins Seenu and Pandu falling in love.

Giri Babu, Brahmaji, Banerjee, Ravi Teja, Ramaraju, Chitti, CVL Narasimha Rao, Kadambari Kiran, Jeeva, Uttej, Prudhviraj, Rama Prabha and Manju Bhargavi played supporting roles in Ninne Pelladatha. The film was later dubbed into Tamil as Unnaiye Kalyanam Pannikiren and remade as Preethsod Thappa with V Ravichandran and Shilpa Shetty, both of which were superhits.

(The film is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar)