Aditya 369 is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language science fiction film written and directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. It is considered to be the first time travel film made in Indian cinema. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna and Mohini while Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, and Suthivelu play supporting roles. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and Jandhyala wrote the dialogues. The film was produced by S. Anitha Krishna on Sridevi Movies banner with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam as the presenter. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim and was a commercial success. It received two Nandi Awards. Aditya 369 is considered a landmark film in the science fiction genre in Indian cinema. The film explored dystopian and post-apocalyptic themes in a satirical manner.
Inspired by the H. G. Wells' novel The Time Machine (1895) which he read as a student, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao started working on a script in which the protagonist travels to the past and the future. He opted for Sri Krishnadevaraya's reign for the past period. After researching at the American Library in Madras about the future, he finished the script.
Made on a budget of 1.52 crore, principal photography of the film took about 110 days. Sets related to Krishnadevaraya's era were built at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. Filming also took place at VGP Golden Beach and Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Madras. Forest scenes were shot at Talakona in Andhra Pradesh. Three cinematographers worked for the film and shot different time periods. P. C. Sreeram shot the scenes related to present-day but he opted out due to ill-health. V. S. R. Swamy and Kabir Lal performed rest of the cinematography. It was dubbed into Hindi as Mission 369 and into Tamil as Apoorva Sakthi 369.
Plot
The film begins in 1991, Prof. Ramdas a scientist strives hard with enormous experiments and invents the time machine. Raja Varma, a high-profile thief has a peculiar hobby of stealing antique pieces from world-renowned museums. He desires to possess a 16th-century diamond of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Salar Jung Museum. So, he plots by conniving with the curator when some school children visit for an excursion in which a naughty kid Kishore misplaces and spends the night in the museum. He witnesses the robbery committed by Raja Varma’s henchmen Vasu & Dasu when he is guarded by a gallant Krishna Kumar and admits him to the hospital.
Krishna Kumar loves Hema, the daughter of Prof. Ramadas who considers her father’s experiment futile. Once Krishna Kumar visits their house, Ramadas presents his time machine but it breaks down. Later, Krishna Kumar becomes cordial with Kishore who constantly says about the theft which no one believes. In the interim, Kishore is acquainted with Ramadas via Hema and acquires knowledge of the time machine. One night, he secretly visits Ramadas's residence joins the remaining children in the hospital, and starts the time machine. Being cognizant of it, Krishna Kumar & Hema rescue them but get struck and it takes off. Parallelly, as an anecdote, a police constable hunting a thief is also trapped in the machine.
Now they reach 1526 the reign of the emperor Krishnadevaraya where Krishna Kumar saves a dancer in the royal court Simhanandini from a raid who invites them to the fort. Whereat, they come across various historical characters. Simhanandini introduces them to the emperor who offers them hospitality. After a while, Krishna Kumar catches sight of the stolen diamond in the prayer room of the emperor which belongs to their ancestors and they adore it. Krishnadevaraya proclaims that it has divine power which reflects on eve of Karthika Punnami. Moreover, it prophesied that the diamond would be stolen twice, during Krishnadevaraya's rule and again after 500 years. Fascinated by it, they stay back to witness the event.
Meanwhile, Simhanandini lusts Krishna Kumar but he turns her down. Further, Krishnadevaraya is worried because of the arrival of Narsa Kavi when Krishna Kumar predicts victory is over and supports Tenali Ramakrishna to triumph. The delighted Emperor decides to honor him when begrudged Simhanandini pauses it by accusing Krishna Kumar as the deceiver. After a heated argument, the emperor organizes a dance competition between Hema & Simhanandini in which Hema wins and Simhanandini is dethroned. At that point, Krishnadevaraya grants to bestow anything when they request to view the diamond's effect on Karthika Punnami. Thusly, he gives them the guest of honor, and Krishna Kumar & Hema are enthralled when the diamond radiates seven colors of the rainbow because of the moonlight.