''Saptapadi'' () is a 1981 Indian

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode ...

-language

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super- ...

written and directed by

K. Viswanath Kasinadhuni Viswanath (born 19 February 1930) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema. He is recipient of five National Film Awards, seven state Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, ...

. The film garnered the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. The film is not only about the seven steps that one takes to become a part of the institution of marriage and a ritualistic exercise that completes the act of shedding the bachelorhood and entering a more stable state but talks about an individual's journey breaking away from the shackles from the conservatism to finding a path of understanding, encompassing and enlightenment. The film was premiered at the

International Film Festival of India The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, currently in the state of Goa, on the western coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common p ...

, and the AISFM film festival. It was later remade in

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...

as Jaag Utha Insan in 1984, also directed by K Viswanath. The film won four Nandi Awards.

Plot

Saptapadi deals with the transformation of an individual so devoted to (mired in) the concept of rituals, that it takes an act of God (will be discussed shortly) for him to realize the true spirit behind the rituals and true meaning of the prayers. Yajulu is a man of great conviction. According to him rules and customs, that have been passed down generations thus standing the test of the time, are there for a reason and hence are immutable; traditions are trademarks of culture and customs, its signature. He does not mind losing his daughter for his principles. He is well into his twilight years which give him even more reason to not mend his ways. In his footsteps follows his Gaurinadha (grandchild from his son), gearing up to be head of a priest at the local temple. Yajulu's will prevails over Hema's (grandchild from his daughter) wish and Gauri and Hema end up being married. However, Hema is secretly in love with a flutist, who is not of her caste. The brilliance of Viswanath comes full fore at this point, when on the first night, Gauri witnesses Durga Devi in Hema, and walks out of the room completely shaken up. Gaurinadha, being an ardent devotee of the Devi, realizes that his wife is in love with another man, hence she is like a mother to him, nothing more, nothing less. This act of God triggers Yajulu's thought process to seriously question, for the first time in his life, the validity of his position on matters that involve caste, creed and religion, justifying the steps that Yajulu takes one a time, from the first one in trying to understand Hema's real interests till the last one when he sees her off with her love interest on the boat. The crux of the whole film is contained in a beautiful conversation that happens between the characters played by

Allu Rama Lingaiah Allu Ramalingaiah (1 October 1922 – 31 July 2004) was an Indian character actor, comedian, and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema. In 1990, He was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. In 1998, he r ...

and J.V. Somayajulu.

Cast

J. V. Somayajulu Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu (30 July 1920 or – 24 April 2004) was an Indian actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. In 1981, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu ...

as Yajulu * Allu Ramalingayya as Raju * J. V. Ramana Murthy as Avadhani, Yajulu's son *

Dubbing Janaki Dasari Janaki, known professionally as Dubbing Janaki, is an Indian actress and voice artist. She has appeared in several films and television shows in various South Indian languages. Early life Janaki was born in Peddapuram, East Godavari D ...

as Annapurna, Avadhani's wife * Ravikanth as Gowrinatha Sastry, Yajulu's grandson * Bhamidipati Sabita as Hema * Girish Pradhaan as Haribabu * Jhansi as Katyayani * Prameela Rani as Karuna * Sivaparvathi as Raju's daughter * Sakshi Ranga Rao as Chayanulu

Soundtrack

Awards

, - , 1981 ,

B. Bucchireddy ,

Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organization set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one o ...

, , - , 1981 , K. Viswanath ,

Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer The Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer was commissioned by the Nandi Awards committee in 1977. The winner is awarded a "Copper Nandi", a cash award of ₹10,000 and a commendation certificate. Most number of Awards were received by Srinu V ...

, (in

) , - , 1981 , G. G. Krishna rao ,

Nandi Award for Best Editor The Nandi Award for Best Editor winners since 1981:(in Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** T ...

, , - , 1981 , Kasthuri ,

Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer The Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer winners was commissioned since 1977: References {{DEFAULTSORT:Nandi Award For Best Cinematographer Cinematography Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γ� ...

, , - , 1981 ,

S. Janaki Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in ...

Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer The Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer was commissioned since 1977:(in Telugu) As of now K S Chithra and S Janaki won 11 & 10 awards respectively, followed by P. Susheela with 6 wins. Winners See also * List of music awards h ...

, , - , 1981 , Bucchireddy ,

Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu The Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Telugu films. The award was first given in 1964 for films released around 1963. Here is a list of the award winners a ...

, , -

References

External links

* {{Filmfare Best Telugu Film 1981 films Indian romantic drama films 1980s Telugu-language films Films directed by K. Viswanath Films scored by K. V. Mahadevan Films about Indian slavery Films about women in India Social realism in film Indian feminist films Films about Indian weddings Films about weddings in the United States Indian nonlinear narrative films Films about the caste system in India Films shot in Vijayawada Telugu films remade in other languages Best Film on National Integration National Film Award winners 1980s feminist films 1981 romantic drama films