Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu
| Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kranthi Kumar |
| Screenplay by | Kranthi Kumar Ganesh Patro (dialogues) |
| Story by | VMC Unit |
| Based on | Navvina Kanneelle by Manasa |
| Produced by | V. Doraswamy Raju |
| Starring | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Meena |
| Cinematography | K. S. Hari |
| Edited by | A. Sreekar Prasad |
| Music by | M. M. Keeravani |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 131 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (transl. Seetharamayya's granddaughter) is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Kranthi Kumar, and produced by V. Doraswamy Raju under the VMC Productions banner. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Meena and Rohini Hattangadi with the music composed by M. M. Keeravani.[1] Kumar also wrote the screenplay, based on the novel Navvina Kanneelle by Manasa.[2] The plot follows Seetha (Meena) who arrives from the US to visit her grandparents, Seetharamayya (Rao) and Janakamma (Hattangadi) who are uninformed of her parents' accidental death.
It was featured in the 15th IFFI' 92 Indian Panorama section.[3] The film won three Filmfare Awards South, three Nandi Awards and four Cinema Express Awards. The film was remade in Malayalam as Sandhwanam (1991), in Kannada as Belli Modagalu (1992), and in Hindi as Udhaar Ki Zindagi (1994).
Plot
The film begins in a village adjacent to the river Godavari. The film revolves around Seetharamayya (Akkineni Nageswara Rao), a highly respected elder in his village. He lives a traditional, dignified life with his wife, Janakamma (Rohini Hattangadi), and commands respect from everyone around him. However, his personal life is scarred by a painful past — his only son had gone against his wishes by marrying a woman of his choice. This led to bitter family disputes and estrangement. Seetharamayya, feeling betrayed, cut off ties with his son.
Years later, the son and his wife die tragically in a car accident, leaving behind their daughter, Seetha (Meena). Having been raised in the United States, Seetha grows up unaware of the complexities and conflicts that had separated her from her grandparents. After finishing her studies, she decides to visit her grandparents in India, driven by love, curiosity, and a desire to reconnect with her roots.
When Seetha arrives, she is warmly welcomed by her grandmother, Janakamma, who is overjoyed to see her. However, Seetharamayya, still haunted by the memory of his son’s defiance, is hesitant and cold toward her at first. Despite his rigid exterior, Seetha’s innocence, affection, and respect slowly begin to soften his heart. She becomes a bridge between tradition and modernity, bringing joy and life back into the household.
The story takes an emotional turn when Seetha learns the truth about the strained relationship between her father and grandfather. She takes it upon herself to heal those wounds. Through her persistence, love, and sacrifices, she not only wins her grandfather’s affection but also restores harmony to the fractured family.
The climax is deeply moving — Seetharamayya finally accepts Seetha wholeheartedly, recognizing her as the beloved granddaughter who carries forward his family’s legacy. The reconciliation represents forgiveness, love, and the enduring strength of family bonds.
That there is no end to Indian Family Structure.
Cast
- Akkineni Nageshwara Rao as Seetharamayya
- Meena as Seeta
- Rohini Hattangadi as Janakamma
- Dasari Narayana Rao as Subbaraju
- Kota Srinivasa Rao as Veerabhadraiah
- Murali Mohan as Dr. Vivekam
- Tanikella Bharani as Govinda Rao
- Sudhakar as Pavan Kumar
- Sudarshan as Kaasi
- Narayana Rao as Lawyer Chakravarthy
- Raja as Dr. Srinivasa Murthy / Vaasu
- Chidatala Appa Rao
- Telangana Shakuntala
- Sudha Rani as Sumathi
- Srilatha as Shyamala
- Chandrika as Chinna Papa
- Saraswathi
- Master Amith as Banty
Production
The film was shot at Lolla village in Atreyapuram and also shot at Kadiyam.[4] Tata Manavadu was originally considered as title but Nageswara Rao did not want any comparison to the old film of same name.[5]
Soundtrack
| Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 19:58 | |||
| Label | SURYA Music | |||
| Producer | M. M. Keeravani | |||
| M. M. Keeravani chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music composed by M. M. Keeravani. Lyrics were written by Veturi. Music released on SURYA Music Company.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Poosindi Poosindi" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Badharagiri Ramayya" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 3:07 |
| 3. | "Kaliki Chilakala Koliki" | K. S. Chithra | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Velugu Rekhalavaru" | K. S. Chithra, Jikki | 4:27 |
| 5. | "Oa Seetha Hallo" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 2:40 |
| 6. | "Sathyanarayana Vratha-Slokas" | K. S. Chithra | 1:46 |
| Total length: | 19:58 | ||
Reception
Awards
- Best Film – Telugu – V. Doraswamy Raju – won[6]
- Best Director – Telugu – Kranthi Kumar – won[6]
- Best Actor – Telugu – Akkineni Nageswara Rao– won[6]
- Nandi Awards - 1990[7]
- Second Best Feature Film - Silver – V. Doraswamy Raju
- Best Director – T. Kranthi Kumar
- Best Female Playback Singer – K.S. Chithra for "Kaliki Chilkala Koliki"
- Best Film – VMC Productions – won[8]
- Best Actor – Akkineni Nageswara Rao – won[8]
- Best Actress – Meena – won[8]
- Best Director – Kranthi Kumar – won[8]
References
- ^ "ఇదో మనవరాలి కథ". Sakshi (in Telugu). 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu film review at Navatarangam.com Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ^ "అక్క డ సినిమా తీస్తే హిట్టే!". Eenadu (in Telugu). 7 February 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "Nostalgic Trivia". Idlebrain. 10 February 2002. Archived from the original on 11 June 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "List of Awards won by Telugu movie Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu". Times of India. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. 13 March 2010. p. 74. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "'Chinnathambhi' bags Cinema Express award". The Indian Express. 25 February 1992. p. 3. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2021.