Half a century ago, in the scorching summer of 1975, the small town of Bezawada, now known as Vijayawada, was literally ablaze with temperatures reaching a sizzling 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Amid this intense heat, the film ‘Jeevanajyothi’ starring Sobhan Babu and directed by K. Viswanath was released. This sentimental family drama not only weathered the challenges of nature but also emerged as an unparalleled box office success, becoming a historic landmark in Indian cinema.
The film, released just 40 days before the imposition of the Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government, transcended the turmoil of nature and society to achieve an unprecedented triumph. Not only was it a silver jubilee super-hit, but it also became a rare film that year to achieve the highest box office collections. Producer D.V.S. Raju and the entire film unit left an indelible mark as a cherished cinematic legacy.
Interestingly, ‘Jeevanajyothi’ marked the first time that producer D.V.S. Raju, who had been regularly producing films with NTR, collaborated with a different leading actor, Sobhan Babu. Initially, Raju had planned to make the film with NTR, but due to certain aspects, such as the protagonist being a college student, NTR suggested making a different story and entrusting the lead role to the rising star Sobhan Babu.
The magical combination of director Viswanath and actor Sobhan Babu had already delivered a series of successful films like ‘Chelleli Kapuram,’ ‘Kalam Marindi,’ and ‘Sharada,’ all of which were awarded the prestigious state government’s Golden Nandi Awards. After a one-year gap, their collaboration in ‘Jeevanajyothi’ in 1975 not only triumphed at the box office but also won the Nandi Award for Best Film.
The film’s sentimental narrative and popular songs resonated deeply with the audience, making it a sensation across the nation. The evergreen melodies like ‘Muddu Ma Babu Niddarotunnadu’ and ‘Ekkadhekkai Daakkunnano’ became instant classics, captivating hearts and minds alike.
Interestingly, ‘Jeevanajyothi’ emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year, surpassing even the collections of NTR’s ‘Desa Oddarakulu’ and Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s ‘Prema Nagar.’ The film’s box office dominance was so profound that it set a new benchmark, taking over 50 days to complete its theatrical run in Hyderabad’s Vijayalakshmi Talkies and becoming the first Telugu film to celebrate a silver jubilee in the city.
The success of ‘Jeevanajyothi’ also paved the way for Sobhan Babu’s subsequent hits like ‘Sogadu’ the same year, which also had a 50-day run in 31 centers. However, the collections of ‘Jeevanajyothi’ surpassed even this remarkable feat, cementing its status as the true box office juggernaut of the era.
Beyond its commercial triumph, ‘Jeevanajyothi’ also garnered critical acclaim, winning the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Film and several other accolades, including the Filmfare Awards for Best Telugu Film, Best Director (K. Viswanath), Best Actor (Sobhan Babu), and Best Actress (Vanisri). The film’s universal appeal transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, with successful remakes in Hindi (‘Sanjog,’ 1985) and Kannada (‘Balina Jyothi,’ 1996), further solidifying its enduring legacy.
As ‘Jeevanajyothi’ completes 50 years since its release, its timeless charm, heartwarming storytelling, and the artistic brilliance of its creators continue to inspire and captivate audiences, cementing its place as a true cinematic masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
