Chilakamma Cheppindi

1977 155’ b&w Telugu d Eranki Sharma pc Gopikrishna Int. sc K. Balachander dial Ganesh Patro lyr Athreya, Veturi Sundara Ramamurthy c B.S. Lokanathan m M.S. Vishwanathan lp Narayana Rao, Rajnikant, Lakshmi Kant, P.L. Narayana, Sripriya, Sangeetha, Seetalatha, Lakshmi, Hemsunder

Melodrama about a village girl in the city. The heroine Malli (Sripriya) prompted by a fortune- teller, sets out to seek her fortune in the city. She is seduced by Madhu (Narayana Rao), who quickly abandons her when she becomes pregnant. Madhu’s man-hating sister Bharati (Sangeetha) initially helps her, but then abandons her when she falls in love with a neighbour. Eventually a chastened Malli finds happiness with Kasi (Rajanikant), a rural simpleton who loves her. Eranki Sharma’s debut was praised for its b&w photography and rustic songs.

Film