End of a comedy era

THE VERY mention of the name Jandhyala evokes a smile on the face of millions of Telugu cine-goers. Such was the charisma of the man whose name was synonymous with humour.

He had brought a distinct flavour to comedy in Telugu films, with the evergreen hit, ``Srivariki Premalekha''.

Written and directed by Jandhyala, the film elevated comedy to the mainstay status, thus becoming a trendsetter in the genre of comedy. And his film ``Aha Naa Pellanta'' is considered the ultimate in Telugu comedy.

The man who had made millions laugh heartily with his breath- taking comedy films breathed his last on June 19, due to a massive heart attack, at 50, and after completing his silver jubilee year in films.

Jandhyala Venkata Durga Siva Subrahmanya Sastri was born in Narsapur and acquired his education at Vijayawada. A theatre buff, Jandhyala acted in plays during his school and college days, and later wrote some plays.

Jandhyala had told this writer earlier, ``Kanyasulkam' and `Keerthi Seshulu' inspired me to write stage plays. I read them several times like text books''.

His tryst with theatre started as a child artiste in the drama troupe of Vinnakota Ramanna Pantulu and it continued during and beyond his college days.

In 1969, in inter-university drama competitions, he had won the best actor prize for ``Tasmath Jagratha'' and the winning streak followed at several parishad competitions.Jandhyala wrote his first short story when he was twelve. It was published in Andhra Prabha. After writing a few children's stories, Jandhyala wrote his first play, ``Jeevana Jyothi'' which was followed by ``Ek Din Ka Sultan,'' ``Bahukrutha Vesham,'' ``Dr. Sadasivam,'' ``Mandodari Mahila Mandali,'' ``O Cheekati Rathri'' and ``Gundelu Marchabadunu''. Among them, ``Ek Din Ka Sultan'' won him accolades and was translated into several languages. Jandhyala also had penned about two dozen radio plays. His dramas include the popular, ``Sandhya Raagamlo Sankharaavam'' and ``Sandhya Kanthi''.

In 1974, Jandhyala came to Chennai to stage his play, ``Sandhyaraagamlo...'' at Kalasagar and Andhra Social and Cultural Club. Thespian B. N. Reddy, who watched his play, was so impressed that he signed Jandhyala to write the script for his film, ``Punya Bhoomi Kallu Theru''. Due to B.N.'s sudden demise, the project did not materialise. But there was no need for panic as producer Adiraju Anandamohan signed him for ``Pelli Kani Pelli''. The first film to hit the theatres, however, was ``Devudu Chesina Bommalu''.

K. Viswanath's signing Jandhyala for ``Siri Siri Muvva'' was the launch-pad to his career in reel life. A trendsetter in classical dance oriented musicals, the film went on to become a big hit and Jandhyala became popular as a writer. Later, he wrote the dialogue for K. Viswanath for many classics, including the landmark film, ``Sankarabharanam''.

After K. Viswanath, Jandhyala's association with K. Raghavendra Rao produced many big hits - it began with ``Adavi Ramudu,'' a film that presented N. T. Rama Rao in a new role, and the association lasted till ``Jagadeka Veerudu-Athiloka Sundari''. Jandhyala also wrote punchy dialogue for the Kamal Haasan starrer, ``Sommokadidi Sokokadidi,'' another blockbuster.

Jandhyala abhorred bawdy comedy and believed that the dialogue should be crisp, simple and natural like real-life conversations, which the audience could easily identify themselves with, and enjoy. He had followed this rule in all the 300-odd movies for which he had written the dialogue.

Though he was a trendsetter in the genre, he cannot be simply termed a comedy writer alone.

His pen had a double edge. On the one hand, he wrote for hilarious films like ``Aha Naa Pellanta'' and on the other, for the semi-classical, ``Ananda Bhairavi''. That he could also write dialogue for ``Srivariki Premalekha'' and ``Sagara Sangamam,'' speaks volumes of the master writer's versatility.

Jandhyala's debut as a director came with ``Mudda Mandaram,'' and his second movie, ``Naalugu Sthambhalaata'' stabilised his position as a film-maker.

Of the 40 movies he had directed, mention must be made of ``Srivariki Premalekha,'' ``Aha Naa Pellanta,'' ``Vivaha Bhojanambu'' and ``Ananda Bhairavi,'' which won State and National awards.

``Nelavanka,'' a film on national integration, ``Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela,'' ``Chantabbayi,'' a lighter vein comedy starring Chiranjeevi, known only as an action hero till then, ``Amarajeevi'' with thespian Akkineni Nageswara Rao, ``Seetharama Kalyanam'' and ``Rendu Rellu Aaru'' were his other hits. His last directorial venture was ``Vichitram'' with an all-new star cast.

After entering the tinsel world as a writer, Jandhyala who completed 25 years in the field, almost put a stop to his acting career, though occasionally he had donned the grease paint at the request of directors such as K. Viswanath. ``Aapadbandhavudu,'' where he played the real life character of a writer, won him accolades.

Besides, Jandhyala lent his rich voice occasionally for dubbing films and was also a popular TV anchor. His last show was the one close to his heart - the ``Jokes show,'' which went on till a few weeks before his untimely demise.

M. L. NARASIMHAM

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