Chakrapani (film)
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''Chakrapani'' is a 1954 Indian
Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India ** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language. * Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...
-language
comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...
, produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Pictures banner. It stars Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao with music composed and songs sung by Bhanumathi.


Plot

The film begins with a substantial rich miser Chakrapani aiming to accumulate 1 lakh to bestow to his great-grandson. After his son's death, he ensured his daughter-in-law Visalakshamma, grandson Jagannadham, and 3 granddaughters Santha, Malati, & Revati. Among them, Malati is the naughtiest and plays pranks on her grandfather, taking digs at his miserly ways. She instigates her brother to pick up a row with the older adult, which leads to Jagannath's exit. To spend less expenses on his granddaughters' weddings, Chakrapani gets a widower, Ananda Rao, for Santha and a dumb fellow for Malati. Then, grudgingly, Malati absconds while the meek Santha knits Ananda Rao. On the board, Malati is acquainted with a considerate couple, Mukunda Rao & Usha, who shelters her. Meanwhile, Venkatachalam, the younger of Usha, falls in love with her, and they espouse. Later, Mukunda Rao is transferred when Malati lets a portion to a tactical lady named Manorama. Venkatachalam joined an insurance company, which made him a frequent traveler. Anyhow, Chakrapani reaches his target when Revati notifies Malati that Santha is pregnant and has given birth to a baby girl. According to the guidance of Manorama, Malati counterfeits her grandfather's belief that she has delivered a boy. Ergo, Chakrapani arrives when Manorama heirs a child from the neighbors. To bring authenticity, Manorama's brother Saradhi is forged as Malati's husband since Chalam is on tour. In the interim, Chalam returns and is introduced as the cook. From there, the story takes several comic twists. Ultimately, Chakrapani is elated that his wealth is going to the rightful heir- his great-grandson, who is the estranged Jagannatham's son. Finally, Jagannadham declares that women have equal property rights, and he shares the amount with his sisters.


Cast

*
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the ...
as Malati *
Akkineni Nageswara Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1924 – 22 January 2014), known as ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer in Telugu cinema. Over his seven decade career, he became a prominent figures in the industry, and is among most influential ac ...
as Venkatachalam * C. S. R as Chakrapani *
Ramana Reddy Ramana Reddy (1 October 1921 – 11 November 1974) was an Indian character actor, comedian and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning 24 years, he acted in more than 200 movies. Ramana Reddy and Relang ...
as Ananda Rao *Amarnath as Saradhi *Dr. Sivaramakrishnayya as Mukunda Rao *Chandrasekhar as Jagannadham * Vangara as Kotayya *
Allu Ramalingaiah 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 rec ...
as Priest * Suryakantham as Manorama *Chayadevi as Usha * T. G. Kamala Devi as Shantha


Soundtrack

Music was composed by Bhanumathi. Lyrics were written by Ravuri Satyanarayana Rao. Music released on
His Master's Voice His Master's Voice is an entertainment trademark featuring a dog named Nipper, curiously peering into the horn of a wind-up gramophone. Painted by Francis Barraud in 1898, the image has since become a global symbol used across consumer elect ...


Production

A popular writer of the time, Ravuru had started his career with Krishnapatrika in Machilipatnam and later worked in the editorial section of Andhra Prabha. His column Ashamaashi, in which he wrote on serious subjects in a lighter vein, was very popular in those days. He came up with the story of Chakrapani, a penny-pincher, and his naughty granddaughter. This film was a satire on Tollywood veteran producer
Chakrapani Chakrapani may refer to: * Chakrapani, a name of the Hindu deity Vishnu, the chakra hand d(pani) People with the surname * Aluri Chakrapani Aluru Venkata Subbarao (5 August 1908 – 24 September 1975), popularly known by his pen name Chak ...
. Due to her rift with Chakrapani, Bhanumathi had left the lead role in the movie ''Missamma'' and later that role went to Savitri. By that time she was in the making of the film '' Vipranarayana'' (1954), in which ANR and Bhanumathi are playing lead roles. She postponed the shooting of ''Vipranarayana'' and began to work on this film and wanted to release the film before the release of ''Missamma''. It is the debut movie of Bhanumathi as Music Director.


Critical reception

An article published in ''The Hindu'' newspaper on the movie reviewed: " The entire narrative in the movie is full of wit, thanks to Ravuru's humorous dialogue and the fine performance by all major actors – ANR, Bhanumathi, CSR, Kamaladevi, Amarnath, Ramana Reddy, Suryakantham and others. As usual, Bhanumathi dominated the proceedings and came up with a career-best hilarious show, sustaining with ease the tempo throughout. ANR matched her with his comic timing and expressions. Apart from performances, excellent cinematography by P. S. Selvaraj, the musical score by Bhanumathi helped the film's box-office success. Her renditions – "Uyyala Jampalalooga Raavaya…," "Pakkala Nilabadi…," "Nanu Choosi Intha Jaali Yelanamma," and A. M. Raja's "O Priyuraala… O Jawaraala" needs mention. Addepalli Ramarao and the popular violinist of the time, Hari Achyutharama Sastry, provided the background score that enhanced the film's quality."


Legacy

When Bhanumathi reworked the story and made it as ''Athagaru Zindabad'' (director: P. Chandrasekhar Reddy) in 1988 as a tribute to her husband, her attempt did not meet with similar success.


References


External links

* {{IMDb title, 0259240, Chakrapani 1954 films 1950s Telugu-language films 1950s Indian films Films directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao Indian comedy-drama films 1954 comedy-drama films Indian black-and-white films Films scored by P. Bhanumathi