Takkari Donga

''Takkari Donga'' () is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language Western film directed and produced by Jayanth C. Paranjee. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Lisa Ray, Bipasha Basu, and Rahul Dev in pivotal roles. The film follows a fearless outlaw who offers to safeguard the daughter of his accomplice in return for a map to a secret diamond mine. However, his quest is compromised after a bandit gets wind of the secret map.

The film was mostly shot in the United States. Upon release, ''Takkari Donga'' received mixed reviews and was a box office flop. It won five state Nandi Awards including Best Audiographer, Best Cinematographer, and Best Fight Master.

Plot

The film starts with the slain bandit Shaka killing his own elder brother for information related to diamond valley, who is also known to rancher Veeru Dada. In the encounter, Veeru jumps off into a river from a cliff. After 18 years in Gajner, Rajasthan, we have Veeru with an amputated leg, giving info to Raja, a mischievous, and tough outlaw who loots banks in style. Raja gives Veeru a share of 50% for all his tip-offs. Raja becomes more daring as the price tag on his head increases by thousands. There is another mischievous thief, Panasa. She and her uncle follow Raja so she can dupe him and escape with all the looted money. As things go on a frolicking way between Panasa and Raja, Shaka is searching for Veeru. Veeru realizes Shaka will kill him soon.

Hence, Veeru offers a large diamond to Raja and asks him to take his daughter Bhuvana to his brother Dharma's place via a dangerous route. Enroute, there are some romantic encounters, and they fall in love. Raja sees a house that emotionally disturbs him. When Bhuvana asks about it he reveals that it is his childhood house and his father and sister were killed by an unknown masked person and he became a thief on the journey of finding him. When Bhuvana asks how will he identify the killer, he tells her there is a scar on the killer's hand by which he can identify him.

Later, when they go to Dharma's place, Dharma is killed. Raja goes to a nearby shop to arrange a funeral for Dharma. But it is Shaka who is disguised as the shop owner. When Shaka arrives he sees a map in Bhuvana's hand. He forcibly tries to take it and in excitement he said that for that map he killed his brother, Bhuvana's father, Dharma and that map is the way to diamond valley. Meanwhile, a fight ensues in which the map is burnt. Then Shaka ties Raja to a tree and forcibly takes Bhuvana as only she knows the route to that hidden diamond treasury.

Meanwhile, Raja releases himself and went to Shaka. A fight takes place. Later, Shaka reveals he knows who killed Raja's father and he will give details about him only when Raja helps him cross the dangerous terrain to reach diamond valley with hidden treasure. Raja agrees. With the help of Raja, Shaka finds the path to the hidden treasure. While Shaka is taking the diamonds, Raja notices the scar on Shaka's hand by which he realizes it is Shaka who killed his father and sister. Raja kills Shaka and reunites with Bhuvana.

Cast

Production

The film was launched on 8 October 2000 at Ramanaidu Studios. Principal photography began on 3 January 2001. Major portions were filmed in the Colorado Plateau region of the United States, including Monument Valley and Arches National Park. The climax fight sequence was shot in Chalakudy, Kerala.

The film was initially titled ''Magadheera'' (Someone Special), with ''Veera'' (The Warrior) also considered. Before finalising the title, the website '' Idlebrain.com'' held a contest inviting suggestions for the film’s title. However, director Jayant C. Paranji was not satisfied with the suggestions.

Music

The soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma and the lyrics were written by Bhuvana Chandra, Vennelakanti, Chandra Bose and Kula Sekhar.
* Theme - Instrumental
* "Nalugurikee" - Shankar Mahadevan, Lyrics by Chandrabose
* "Aleba Aleba" - K. K, Kalpana, Lyrics by Bhuvana Chandra
* "Hey Mama" - Tippu, Kalpana, Lyrics by Vennalakanti
* "Bagundammo" - SPB Charan, Usha, Lyrics by Kula Sekhar
* "Chukkallu Chandhrudee" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Prasanna, Lyrics by Bhuvana Chandra

Reception

A critic from ''Deccan Chronicle'' wrote, "A smooth, technically brilliant movie after a considerable time in Telugu, ''Takkari Donga'' is entertaining and, in spite of its stereotypical pitfalls, is certainly a refreshing break from the deluge of routine love stories". A critic from ''The Hindu'' said, "Though it is not new for the Telugu film makers to make cowboy films, this film scores in technical quality, with cinematographer Jayanan Vincent leading in his department. The visual is set against a kind of dusty hue throughout its run, reflecting the wild West". A critic from ''The Times of India'' stated, "If you don't mind half a dozen songs slackening the pace of the film ''Takkari Donga'' is a complete entertainer".

Jeevi of '' Idlebrain.com'' wrote, "''Takkari Donga'' is a sweet and sensible film". ''Andhra Today'' wrote, "Jayanth as producer and director takes the audience through a thrilling journey as in the great westerns. His impressive style, choice of locations, setting and action sequences will amaze the Tollywood audience. The meticulousness and dexterity of both the director and the cameraman are evident in almost every frame of the movie. While the variety is interesting and will mesmerize the audience temporarily the movie suffers from a very weak storyline and may not hold the audience in a spell".

Dubbed versions

The film was dubbed into Hindi as ''Choron Ka Chor'' by Goldmines Telefilms in 2014 and into Tamil as ''Vetri Veeran''.

Awards

;Nandi Awards
* Best Audiographer - P. Madhusudhan Reddy (in Telugu)
* Special Jury Award - Mahesh Babu
* Best Fight Master - Vijayan
* Best Cinematographer - Jayanan Vincent
* Best Child Actor - Koushik Babu

References

External links

*

{{Jayanth C. Paranjee, state=collapsed

2000s Telugu-language films
2002 films
2002 Western (genre) films
2000s Western (genre) comedy films
2002 action comedy films
Indian action comedy films
Indian Western (genre) films
Indian Western (genre) comedy films
Films shot in New Mexico
Films shot in San Francisco
Films shot in Texas
Films shot in Utah
Films shot in Arizona
Films set in Rajasthan
Films shot in Rajasthan
Films about treasure hunting
Films scored by Mani Sharma
Films shot in Colorado
Films shot in the United States
Foreign films set in the United States
Films directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee