# Padutha Theeyaga (film)
**Padutha Theeyaga** (Telugu: పాడుతా తీయగా) is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language musical romantic drama film directed by Kranthi Kumar and starring Vineeth and [Heera Rajagopal](https://www.edgepedia.org/heera-rajagopal).[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) It was produced by [Ramoji Rao](https://www.edgepedia.org/ramoji-rao)'s Ushakiran Movies and released in theaters on 28 May 1998.[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) The film shares its name with the ETV singing competition *Padutha Theeyaga*, which began broadcasting on 16 May 1996 and became closely associated with its host, the playback singer [S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-balasubrahmanyam).[2](https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment/is-etv-to-shelve-padutha-theeyaga-program-jsp--qibpke)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | 28 May 1998, theatrical, Telugu language[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) |
| Director and writer | Kranthi Kumar (story, screenplay, and dialogues also his)[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) |
| Lead cast | Vineeth as Rushi, Heera Rajagopal as Uma; supporting cast includes Ravi Teja, M. S. Narayana, Tanikella Bharani, Sivaji Raja, Kallu Chidambaram, and Sivaji[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) |
| Production | Ushakiran Movies, produced by Ramoji Rao[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 21 minutes[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/padutha_teeyaga) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
The story follows Rushi, a singer, and his music troupe, who aspire to make it big musically.[7](https://web.archive.org/web/20020622014317/http:/www.andhratoday.com/movie/paadutha.htm) Filmy Focus summarizes it as a story about a group of young people who find solace in music and how a girl helps them realize their potential.[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga)
The romantic thread turns on a choice between love and career. After Rushi confides in Gautham Kumar about his feelings for Uma, Gautham Kumar gives him a choice between his career and Uma, and Rushi opts for his career. Uma then helps Rushi win the competition, after which Gautham Kumar agrees to let Rushi be with Uma.[7](https://web.archive.org/web/20020622014317/http:/www.andhratoday.com/movie/paadutha.htm)
## Production
Kranthi Kumar, who had been directing and producing Telugu films since the 1970s, handled the story, screenplay, and dialogues in addition to directing.[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) • [4](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/crew/kranthi-kumar)
## Music
The film features seven songs, released through the Mayuri Audio label, and the opening song is sung by the classical vocalist Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Mano, K. S. Chithra, and Parthasaradhi lent their voices to the songs.[1](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga)
The seven tracks listed for the soundtrack are:
1. "Mangala Vaadhyam"
2. "Navatharaaniki Namasthe"
3. "Paaduthaa Theeyagaa"
4. "Paata Naaku Naestham"
5. "Prema Puttindho"
6. "Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa"
7. "Thellavaare Vaela"
## Reception
Contemporary reviews divided over whether the music carried the film.
## The television program of the same name
The film's title echoes ETV's *Padutha Theeyaga*, a music-based reality show that began on 16 May 1996 and, according to a Telugu entertainment report, was the first music-based reality show in India.[2](https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment/is-etv-to-shelve-padutha-theeyaga-program-jsp--qibpke) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam hosted the program, and guests over the years included Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Saluri Rajeshwara Rao, K. Viswanath, [K. V. Mahadevan](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-v-mahadevan), [M. S. Viswanathan](https://www.edgepedia.org/m-s-viswanathan), [Ilaiyaraaja](https://www.edgepedia.org/ilaiyaraaja), K. Balachander, Keeravani, P. Susheela, and S. Janaki.[2](https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment/is-etv-to-shelve-padutha-theeyaga-program-jsp--qibpke) The show introduced many playback singers to the field; singers Parthu Nemani, Gopika Purnima, and Mallikarjun came from its very first 1996 series, with Parthu winning that first season.[5](https://telanganatoday.com/helping-talented-musicians-pursue-their-passion) In 2025 the show marked its Silver Jubilee with a series anchored by SP Charan and judged by M. M. Keeravani, Chandrabose, and Sunitha, produced by ETV.[6](https://www.gnapikaentertainments.com/news/pt25-news)
## References
1. [Padutha Teeyaga: Cast, Crew, Movie Review, Release Date, Filmy Focus](https://filmyfocus.com/movies/padutha-teeyaga)
2. [Is ETV to shelve Padutha Theeyaga program?, Asianet News Telugu](https://telugu.asianetnews.com/entertainment/is-etv-to-shelve-padutha-theeyaga-program-jsp--qibpke)
3. [Padutha Teeyaga, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/padutha_teeyaga)
4. [Kranthi Kumar filmography, Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/crew/kranthi-kumar)
5. [Helping talented musicians pursue their passion, Telangana Today](https://telanganatoday.com/helping-talented-musicians-pursue-their-passion)
6. [Padutha Theeyaga Celebrates Silver Jubilee with a Star-Studded Series, Gnapika Entertainments](https://www.gnapikaentertainments.com/news/pt25-news)
7. [Paadutha Teeyaga review, Andhra Today](https://web.archive.org/web/20020622014317/http:/www.andhratoday.com/movie/paadutha.htm)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Telugu films before 2000*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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