Swayamkrushi

''Swayamkrushi'' () is a 1987 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Viswanath. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti in main leads, with Sarvadaman D. Banerjee, and Sumalatha in other pivotal roles.

The film chronicles the life of a self-educated cobbler's journey from rags to riches. The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India, the Asia Pacific Film Festival; the film was dubbed into Russian and was screened at the special mention section at the Moscow International Film Festival. Chiranjeevi garnered the Indian Express Best Actor, and the Nandi Award for Best Actor award for his performance. Vijayashanti garnered the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film. It was dubbed into Hindi as ''Dharamyudh''.

Plot

Sambayya (Chiranjeevi), a humble cobbler, is devoted to raising his late sister's son, Chinna (played by Arjun/Sirish), while also supporting the education of the orphaned Sarada (Sumalatha), on whom he has a quiet crush and hopes to marry someday.

However, circumstances take a different turn when Sarada marries Bhaskar (Sarvadaman Banerjee). Ganga (Vijayashanti), who has long harboured feelings for Sambayya, undergoes a tubectomy to prove her commitment to being a devoted mother to Chinna, ensuring that her focus remains solely on their family. Meanwhile, Govind (Charan Raj), Sambayya's criminal brother-in-law who is Chinna's biological father, tries to steal Chinna from Sambayya. When Govind sets Sambayya's shop on fire, they get into a fight after which Govind is sentenced to prison for 9 years. Sambayya and Ganga marry and work together through hardships, starting a shoe business which flourishes and they become wealthy.

A few years later, Chinna grows up developing an ego due to Sambayya's riches. Sambayya teaches him to be humble. In one such situation, when Chinna abuses a young shoe polisher and spoils his clothes, Sambayya makes Chinna polish shoes on the street and earn money every day until he earns enough to buy the kid new clothes. Meanwhile, Sarada and Bhaskar have a broken marriage with frequent fights. Sarada scolds Bhaskar about his bad habits, for not being able to earn, and taking advantage of Sambayya for money. When Sambayya learns of Sarada and Bhaskar's trouble, he takes a distressed Sarada to his home. Meanwhile, Govind is released from prison and poisons Bhaskar's mind by divulging that Sambayya took Sarada home and that he used to love her. During a festival at Sambayya's house, Bhaskar creates a scene and claims that Sambayya and Sarada have an affair. Sambayya reforms Bhaskar and gives him a job in his company. Govind joins forces with Ganga's unscrupulous father and poisons Chinna's mind by misinterpreting Sambayya's disciplinary actions as brutality. Chinna begins to despise Sambayya.

Govind files for custody of Chinna. In court, the decision of custody is left to Chinna and he chooses to be with Govind, but wants Ganga as well. Affirming that he took Chinna just to have Sambayya meet his demands, Govind hands a cassette tape to Ganga, who watches it with the family. The tape shows Govind having Chinna get used to all vices. Govind asks for Sambayya's wealth in exchange for Chinna. When Sambayya signs off all his properties to Govind, Govind kicks Chinna out and Sambayya takes him home.

During Chinna's birthday celebration, Sambayya plays the same cassette tape, after which all the guests feel disgusted and leave. Sarada explains to a disheartened Chinna that Sambayya disciplined him because he is his well-wisher while Govind taught him bad habits to ruin him. Upon discovering that Govind is taking authority over all of Sambayya's assets, Bhaskar & Sarada along with the labour force revolt and overthrow Govind. Govind comes to his senses and reforms, giving Sambayya back his properties. However, Sambayya quits and returns to the streets. Chinna realises the truth and despises Govind. Sambayya resumes his earlier profession as a cobbler and is pleasantly surprised to see that Chinna is doing the same across the street, indicating that he has reformed and learned the value of hard work.

Cast

* Chiranjeevi as Sambasiva Rao aka Sambayya
* Vijayashanti as Ganga
* Sumalatha as Sarada
** Baby Bhavana as young Sarada
* Master Arjun as Chinna
* Charan Raj as Govind
* Sarvadaman Banerjee as Bhaskar
* J.V. Somayajulu as Sambayya's teacher
* Brahmanandam
* M. V. S. Haranatha Rao
* P. L. Narayana
* S. K. Misro as a cobbler cum Sambayya's manager
* Dubbing Janaki as Sarada's grandmother
* Samyuktha
* Master Suresh

Soundtrack

Soundtrack composed by Ramesh Naidu was released through Lahari Music label. Lyrics were written by C. Narayana Reddy and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry while a song written by Kshetrayya was also used in this film.

Awards

* Cinema Express Best Actor - Chiranjeevi
*Nandi Award for Best Actor - Chiranjeevi
* Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu - Vijayashanti

References

External links

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{{Kasinathuni Viswanath, state=collapsed

1987 drama films
Indian business films
Films directed by K. Viswanath
1980s Telugu-language films
1980s business films
Indian films based on actual events
1987 films
Films scored by Ramesh Naidu
Films about shoemakers
Cultural depictions of Meher Baba