A remake of the South African film Lost in the Desert (1969), it stars S. V. Ranga Rao, Nagesh, Master Ramu and Devika.

His family consults their doctor to obtain the best possible treatment for him and they decide to send him to Switzerland with Gopi's uncle Pathy as their pilot.

During the journey, Pathy suffers a sudden heart attack, and the plane crashes in Thar Desert.

Gopi, with only his dog Tommy accompanying him, has to face several obstacles and finally survives to reunite with his family.

After the success of Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971), which was shot mostly in deserts, its producer Atluri Purnachandra Rao wanted his next venture to also be desert-based.

[4] Papam Pasivadu was publicised through publicity pamphlets of the film being thrown from helicopters in various towns, a first for Telugu cinema.