Nammina Bantu

Nammina Bantu
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Adurthi Subba Rao
Produced by	Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary
Written by	Sunkara Satyanarayana Taapi (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Adurthi Subba Rao
Story by	Sunkara Satyanarayana
Starring	Akkineni Nageswara Rao Savitri
Music by	S. Rajeswara Rao Master Venu
Cinematography	B. S. Jagirdhar
Edited by	A. Sanjeevi
Production company	Sambhu Films
Distributed by	Navayuga Films
Release date	7 January 1960 (1960-01-07)
Running time	161 mins
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Nammina Bantu (English: Henchman) is a 1960 Telugu drama film, produced by Yarllagada Venkanna Chowdary on Sambhu Films and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri in the lead roles and music was jointly composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. The film is remade as Tamil film Pattaliyin Vetri both the films are made simultaneously under same banner and directed some of the scenes and artists are same in both the versions. Upon release the film received critical acclaim. The film was screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. Lyrics were written by Kosaraju. Music released on Audio Company.

Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary who himself was a landlord decided to produce a film based on the theme of exploitation of farmers by landlords written by socialist writer Sunkara Sathyanarayana for his debut production. Adurthi Subbarao was signed on to direct the film while Sunkara and Tapi Dharma Rao wrote the dialogues. B. S. Jagirdar and Akkineni Sanjeevi worked as cinematographer and editor respectively. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri.

Nageswara Rao and Savitri were selected to portray the lead pair. S. V. Rangarao was first offered the landlord’s role, but Rangarao preferred the character of downtrodden farmer Chandraiah’s character as he found it more challenging. Dagubati Ramanaidu who went on to become a popular producer in Telugu cinema worked as one of the partners in the film. The film was also happened to be his debut film as an actor. He acted as the body double for Nageswara Rao driving the bullock cart in long shot scenes besides donning the district collector’s role.