Year: 1997
Runtime: 138 mins
Language: Telugu
Director: Kodi Ramakrishna
Dongaata (English: Blind Game) is a 1997 Telugu drama produced by Dr. K. L. Narayana under the Sri Durga Arts banner, presented by S. Gopal Reddy and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Jagapati Babu, Soundarya, Suresh and Rithu Shivpuri, with a musical score composed by Ramani Bharathwaj. It draws inspiration from the 1995 English‑language film French Kiss.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Dongaata yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Dongaata (1997), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a quiet village, a young woman named Subbalakshmi, Soundarya, is treated with a gentle kindness by her father who hopes to bind her future to her cousin Prakash Rao. Subbalakshmi is simple-hearted and trusting, and she grows up with the belief that family ties should be protected and honored. When Prakash Rao heads to the city to pursue higher studies, he gradually vanishes from her life, leaving her not only bereft but also tangled in uncertainty about the promises they once shared. To shield her father from the truth, Subbalakshmi decides to travel and search for him, concealing her departure under the pretense of a tour.
On the crowded train, fate drops a dangerous complication into her lap: a thief named Raju, Jagapati Babu, has stolen a diamond necklace and slyly hides it in Subbalakshmi’s bag to slip past the authorities. The necklace becomes a ticking clock in a story that otherwise seems to revolve around longing and mistaken loyalties. Meanwhile, ACP Vikram tracks Raju with the singular goal of recovering the stolen jewel, and the pursuit pulls Subbalakshmi into a web of threats and unlikely companionship. As the chase unfolds, Raju shadows Subbalakshmi as much to protect the bag as to keep a watchful eye on her, and his quiet acts of rescue guide her through a series of precarious traps.
What begins as a practical alliance soon hints at something warmer. Subbalakshmi finds herself drawn to the man who seems to appear whenever danger closes in, even as she remains devoted to her cousin—an attachment that complicates Raju’s growing feelings. The young woman learns that Prakash Rao’s ambitions are not what they seemed. In the glow and glare of city life, she discovers Prakash Rao’s intimacy with Lavanya, a wealthy tycoon who becomes entangled in the same plot for fortune and power. This, coupled with the truth that Prakash Rao is a swindler who exploited Subbalakshmi to climb higher, pushes Subbalakshmi toward a painful reckoning: Prakash Rao’s world is built on manipulation, and his pursuit of Lavanya’s wealth shows his true colors.
Yet Prakash Rao is not finished with his schemes. He crafts a deception that lures Subbalakshmi back into his orbit, and he sends her away just as Raju returns to stand by her side. On the road, Subbalakshmi encounters Prakash Rao’s ally Prasad, who reveals a darker truth about her supposed protector, exposing Prakash Rao’s diabolic shade. The weight of this revelation drives Subbalakshmi to the brink, and she contemplates ending her life, a moment that awakens a resolute resolve in Raju to set things right and defend her honor.
Their journey leads them to Jaipur, where Raju helps Subbalakshmi shed some of her old-world reticence and become more confident and modern. A surprising turn occurs when the necklace—hidden by Subbalakshmi to secure help—emerges in her hands, transforming the dynamic of their relationship and giving them a shared purpose: to disentangle the lies that bind them. As they forge a stronger bond, Lavanya—who had been wary—joins their circle, and the presence of Lavanya unsettles Prakash Rao even further. At the same time, Raju and Lavanya develop a genuine connection of their own, a bond that complicates the power dynamics of the entire scheme.
Prakash Rao faces a sharp turn when Subbalakshmi, now increasingly firm in her own sense of self, confronts him. He tries to poison the situation, threatening her and testing whether she will crumble, but ACP Vikram intervenes and saves her, underscoring the protective role of law and order in this maelstrom. Subbalakshmi, grateful yet emboldened, hands the necklace to Vikram and voices the truth about her feelings for Raju, even as she hesitates to admit them openly. In a dramatic twist, Lavanya comes to see Prakash Rao’s true nature with clarity, and she cuts him off from any further scheming.
With Prakash Rao finally exposed, he presses his advantage one last time, attempting to reclaim Subbalakshmi’s trust, only to be rejected and sent back toward his own devices. The journey to heal has already set Subbalakshmi on a different path, one that leads her back toward her village, where the world she once knew awaits. But the story does not end there. Armed with new conviction, Raju learns of Subbalakshmi’s true feelings through ACP Vikram and rushes to the railway station to declare his love for her. In a moment of quiet conviction, the couple confesses what has long been held in their hearts, and the film closes on a hopeful note with their union, standing together against the shadows of deceit and doubt.
Throughout the tale, the bond between Subbalakshmi and Raju deepens against a backdrop of family expectations, urban temptations, and the ever-shifting calculus of trust. Their relationship evolves from cautious mutual aid into a decision to face the world as partners, choosing honesty over fear, and loyalty over circumstance. The supporting characters—Prakash Rao’s opportunism, Lavanya’s evolving loyalties, and the steadfast presence of ACP Vikram—all play crucial roles in revealing the true values at stake: love, integrity, and the courage to stand up for what one believes is right.
Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:22
Don't stop at just watching — explore Dongaata in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dongaata is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Dongaata with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Dongaata. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.