Star Hero Took 14 Hours For One Scene

Generally a lot has been spoken about dedication and commitment of the older generation in the film industry. Dasari Narayana Rao was on a high with 9 successive hits in the year 1975. He decided to take his tenth with all new comers. He readied the film story Swargam Narakam and finalized the star cast. 

He selected stage artist Uma and assistant director Bhaktavatsalam Naidu and decided to introduce them with screen names Uma and Mohan Babu and started the shooting. In one scene, Mohan Babu should come down from the temple steps lighting a cigarette and delivering dialogues. 

Entire unit thought that the scene would be completed in an hour and started the shooting around 9.30AM.  Mohan Babu however experienced tensions and troubles and couldn’t get the sync right while delivering dialogues or lighting the cigarette. He took numerous takes and when many thought Mohan Babu got everything right, Dasari used to ask for another take. Till night 11.30 PM, it continued and Dasari spent more than 14 hours for perfection.

Actually Dasari selected Bosu Babu for the lead role. He happened to be the popular distributor Lakshmi Films person. But he developed cold feet on the first day shoot itself and left the venue. So the role went to Mohan Babu who was second in the shortlisted actors.  Dasari who spent so many hours for one scene got the desired result.

Though the film which was shot in black and white got released along with Super Star Krishna’s colorful film Devudu Laanti Manishi, it turned out to be a blockbuster. While Mohan Babu turned collection king, Annapurna settled as a top character actress.