M Dharmaraju M.A.(1994)
M Dharmaraju M.A. is a 1994 Indian Telugu-language political drama film directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty. The film stars Mohan Babu in a dual role as the title character M. Dharmaraju and his son Satyam. The supporting cast includes Rambha, Surabhi, Satyanarayana, and Sujatha. The story follows a lazy young man who rises to become a corrupt politician, only to be confronted by his honest police officer son. The film is a remake of the 1994 Tamil film Amaidhipadai. Mohan Babu's performance as the corrupt politician was widely praised. The film also marked the acting debut of comedian M. S. Narayana. Despite critical acclaim for the lead performance, the film failed at the box office. The music was composed by Raj–Koti, with lyrics by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1994
- Director
- Ravi Raja Pinisetty
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 27m
- Rating
- 4.7/10
Storyline
A lazy young man named M. Dharmaraju enters politics and becomes a powerful, corrupt politician. His son Satyam grows up to be an honest police officer. When Satyam discovers his father's crimes, he must choose between family loyalty and justice.
“When blood turns against blood.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for M Dharmaraju M.A.
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Narayana & Mallikarjuna Rao (8 films together), Mohan Babu & M. S. Narayana (5 films together), Mohan Babu & Kaikala Satyanarayana (5 films together), M. S. Narayana & Annapoorna (5 films together), Annapoorna & Kaikala Satyanarayana (5 films together), and Sujatha & Mohan Babu (4 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title character name 'Dharmaraju' is a direct reference to the mythological figure Yudhishthira from the Mahabharata, known for his righteousness.
- This was one of the few films where actor Rajasekhar played a role with such intense moral conflict and patricide as the central theme.
- The movie was part of a wave of 1990s Telugu films exploring dark family dramas and revenge, moving away from pure romance or action.
- Director Ravi Raja Pinisetty was known for successful action films, making this serious drama a slight departure from his usual style at the time.
- The film's climax, involving the son confronting his father, was noted for its high emotional drama and stark moral resolution.
- Actress Roja, who played the female lead, was a major star at the time, but her role here was secondary to the central father-son conflict.
- The synopsis reflects a recurring theme in Indian mythology and folklore, modernized into a contemporary family setting for the audience.