Chiranjeevi and Sridevi's socio-fantasy Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, directed by K Raghavendra Rao and produced by C Ashwini Dutt, completes 30 years today

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30 years of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari: 20+ lesser known facts about Chiranjeevi and Sridevi's film

Murali Krishna CH

Updated:9th May, 2020 at 5:26 PM

The film released on May 9, 1990, shattered records and became the highest-grossing Telugu film of the time, braving the then devastating floods in Coastal Andhra

Actor Sridevi twice evinced interest to produce a film starring Chiru and herself, but her attempts turned futile

Later, Ashwini Dutt approached Raghavendra Rao and expressed interest to do a film with this combination, while they were on the way to Tirumala.

Writer Srinivas Chakravarthy came up with the story of Lord Indra's daughter, Indraja (Sridevi), who loses her ring during her visit to Himayalas and cannot return to Indraloka without it

Her lookout for the ring leads her to Raju (Chiranjeevi), a tourist guide, who is also the guardian of four orphans

Dutt and Raghavendra Rao entrusted writers Jandhyala, Satyanand, Yamdamoori Veerendranath, and Crazy Mohan with the responsibility to develop the plot line with commercial elements

Chiru spent about 25 days with the writers and figured out his look for the part, while Sridevi styled her own costumes in Mumbai. Chiru and Sridevi gave call sheets for 110 and 85 days respectively

The film also revived the fortunes of K Raghavendra Rao, who was going through a lean patch. It had 100-day runs in 29 centres (slab record) and a 200-day run in Apsara theatre, Vijayawada

Initially, the team conceived the idea that the hero meets his love interest in moon. But, Chiru reportedly suggested having the backdrop of Manasarovar

All the songs were chartbusters. Especially, Abbani Teeyani debba has become an all-time favourite of the movie buffs -- thanks to some amazing dance moves from choreographer Sundaram master

It was remade in Hindi as Dhak Dhak Karne Laga in Beta (1992). Another song Yamaho was a remake from Ilaiyaraaja's own composition Madurai Marikozhundhu from Tamil film Enga Ooru Pattukaran(1987)

Cinematographer Ajay Vincent brilliantly pulled off polythene covers as snow hills in Andhaalalo Mahodayam song. Veturi Sundararama Murthy got a single card (all songs)

In one of his interviews, Dutt stated that KV Reddy's directorial Jagadeka Veeruni Katha starring NT Rama Rao was an inspiration for Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari

Jandhyala, who worked as one of the scriptwriters of the film, also penned humourous dialogues. The comedy sequences between Allu Ramalingaiah and Tamil actor Janagaraj enticed the audience too

Chiranjeevi was running 104 degrees temperature fever while filming Dhinakkuthaa kasakkuro. He sponged his body with ice and completed the shoot, allowing Sridevi to fly abroad for another shoot

Actor Amrish Puri was seen as a sorcerer, Mahadrashta in the film. He dubbed his lines thus lending credibility to his character

Three child actors in the film, Shalini (Tamil actor and Ajith Kumar's wife), Richard and Shamili, were real siblings and they did a commendable job attaining critical acclaim

The makers erected gigantic sets at Vijaya Vauhini Studios, Chennai, and did not use a single graphic shot

Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari was dubbed into Hindi (Aadmi Aur Apsara), Tamil (Kaadhal Devathai), and Malayalam (Hai Sundari)

The makers chose an open ending for the film with the ring being thrown into the ocean and a fish swallowing it hinting that there is a possibility for a sequel

This is Chiranjeevi's first film with Dutt's Vyjayanthi Movies banner, while Sridevi had previously worked for Aakhari Poratam starring Nagarjuna

Together, the actors have exuded sparkling chemistry and have become one of the favorite jodis of the Telugu audience.

Here are few other photos from the film and sets

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