NT Rama Rao :: rare lobby cards & posters

The legendary actor and filmmaker NT Rama Rao, who was popularly known as NTR, starred in over 300 films, the majority of which were in Telugu. On the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, NTR was named as the Greatest Actor of All Time in a CNN survey garnering 53 per cent votes. In 1982, NTR established the Telugu Desam Party. During his eventful political career, he served three terms as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The breakthrough film that firmly set NTR on the path to eternal stardom was Patal Bhairavi. First released in 1951, this film was shot simultaneously in Telugu as well as in Tamil and went on to achieve a phenomenal cult status in Indian cinema. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, Patal Bhairavi was included in the "100 greatest Indian films of all time" in a CNN survey. Patal Bhairavi became a milestone in several ways; it was the first big budget film of Vijaya Productions that took a whole year in the making, it was the first Telugu film to run continuously for 175 days and the first Telugu film to have a direct run of 200 days. In 1952, it was the only South Indian film to be screened at the first International Film Festival of India held in Mumbai.

We are now pleased to offer a large collection of 21 original lobby cards of this iconic classic. These particular lobby cards were actually used for display in cinema halls in the early 1950s and are extremely rare and hard to find.

We are also pleased to offer two extremely rare, original, vintage posters of one of NTR's Hindi films — Alakh Niranjan — in which he played the role of Lord Vishnu.

The details are mentioned below and several images of these precious rarities are attached herewith for the perusal of those interested.

1 – 21] PATAL BHAIRAVI — set of twenty-one original lobby cards.

Year of release: 1951 — Extremely Rare & hard–to–find

Produced by: Vijaya Productions

Director: K. V. Reddy

Actors featured in these lobby cards: NT Rama Rao, SV Ranga Rao, K. Malathi et al.

Format: Original lobby cards — on thick, rigid 2 mm cardboard

Number of lobby cards with the red production label in the lower margin: Twelve

Size of the lobby cards with the production label: 26 cm x 30 cm (nine lobby cards); 25.5 cm x 28.5 cm (three lobby cards).

Number of photographic lobby cards (without the production label): Nine

Size of the photographic lobby cards: 24 cm x 29 cm (six lobby cards); 23.5 cm x 29 cm (three lobby cards).

Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. These vintage lobby cards were salvaged from a now-defunct cinema hall where this film was screened in the early 1950s. These particular lobby cards were extensively used for display across several screening venues. Hence, multiple residual marks of the drawing pins used to affix these lobby cards on the notice-boards of cinema halls can be seen around the four corners. Natural foxing/discoloration on the blank rear side owing to age and use. Some scuffing, primarily near the edges, in certain lobby cards as can be seen in the attached images. The edges of the third lobby card were partially taped owing to extensive usage, presumably by the exhibitors; image attached.

Note on Rarity: Such a large collection of twenty-one original lobby cards of this milestone film is singularly rare and precious. It is extremely hard to find, especially because these particular lobby cards were actually used for display in cinema halls in the early 1950s.

22 – 23] ALAKH NIRANJAN — two highly rare, original, vintage posters

Year of release: 1975
Director: Babubhai Mistry
Actors featured in the poster: N. T. Rama Rao, Vanisri, Ramakrishna
Medium: Printed paper poster (not framed).
Texture: Matte
Size: 20 inches x 30 inches
Condition: Excellent. Completely intact.

Please email us on kumarclassicbookpoint@gmail.com for cost and availability, or for any further queries in order to serve you better. Delivery in Mumbai is free.