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Chakrapani

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Direction
Story
Cinematography
Music
Editing

Chakrapani story at a glance

1954 was the year in which Bhanumathi and her husband P.Ramakrishna made two films in their home banner Bharani and made them highly successful. While the first film was a devotional epic Vipranarayana, the other was a light hearted comedy Chakrapani. It is interesting to see both the films had ANR and Bhanumathi in the lead roles and both the films featured them in totally contrasting characterizations. For an actor like ANR who was branded as a tragedy hero with the success of Devadasu in 1953, Missamma and this film helped him to come out of such image. Though the main storyline looks like a farce, the satirical approach on miserliness, and the equal property rights of women issue was dealt greatly by the director.
 
Story Details:
Chakrapani (CSR) is a miserly gentleman who saves every penny so that he can give away a sum of One Lakh rupees to his to be born grand grandson. His son dies and Chakrapani house arrests his daughter in law Vishalakshamma (Venkumamba) and her children Jagannadham (Chandrasekhar), Shantha (B.Kamala), Malathi (Bhanumathi) and Revathi (Leela Kumari) with traditions and superstitions. Jagannatham asks his grandfather for exam fees but Chakrapani refuses to give. Malathi, who is clever and tactful plays a drama and gets the money from Chakrapani’s assistant (Vangara). Chakrapani plans to get rid of his granddaughters somehow and start looking matches for them. He gets his eldest granddaughter Shantha married to Anandarao (Ramana Reddy) who is already married by then. When Chakrapani tries to get a similar match for Malathi as well, she runs away from the house on the night before wedding day. She gets to meet Veterinary Doctor Mukundarao (Sivarama Krishnayya) and his wife Usha (Chayadevi) in the train. They feel sad for her story and give her shelter in their house.  Usha’s younger brother Chalam (ANR) falls in love with Malathi. Mukundarao and Usha get Chalam and Malathi married and they leave for another town for some days. It is when Manorama (Suryakantham) a teacher, lives in one of the portions in Mukundarao’s house. Malathi and Manorama become good friends. Very soon Manorama comes to know about the 1 Lakh rupees property issue which Malathi faces and plans a drama in order to fetch the money. She makes Malathi write a letter to her grandfather saying the latter got married and has a son. Knowing the news Chakrapani hurries to Malathi’s house. At the same time, Chalam goes out of town on some insurance work and a confused Manorama introduces her brother Saradhi (Amarnath) as Malathi’s husband. To make things worse, Chalam returns home just then. A troubled Malathi introduces her real husband as a cook to her grandfather. In troubled circumstances Chalam agrees to act as the cook but he gets furious when Saradhi acts overboard as Malathi’s husband. This comedy of errors is extremely hilarious to watch on screen and Malathi along with Manorama go on inventing stories in order to convince Chakrapani.  They even get a baby boy from their neighborhood and show him as the great grandson.  In the climax, Malathi comes to know that the boy was none other than her brother Jagannath’s kid. The film ends on a thought provoking note when Jagannath accepts the money and distributes it equally among his sisters- thereby showing that gender equality is important.

Performances:
Bhanumathi is excellent as Malathi who has different roles to play such as a granddaughter, a wife and a clever personality. Her comedy timing was best explored in this film. She gets better as the film reaches a crescendo in climax. ANR is terrific as Chalam, an insurance agent who has a thing for money. He is fantastic in comedy sequences and his histrionics are to die for. CSR is brilliant as the title role Chakrapani with his peculiar dialogue delivery. Amarnath generates great laughter as Saradhi. Suryakantham is excellent as Manorama who advises Malathi about the drama. Ramana Reddy is good in a funny role.

Technical Aspects:
Dialogues by Raavuri Satyanarayana are quite casual and hilarious at the same time. It is really difficult to write a comedy film with a thought provoking message and he succeeded in doing so. Bhanumathi’s music is a huge asset for the film with ‘Pakkala Nilabadi’ (Thayagaraja’s Composition), ‘Mella Mellaga Challa Challaga Raave Nidura Haayiga’, ‘Nannu Chusi Intha Jaali elanamma Malathi’,’ Uyyala Jampalaloogaravayya’, ‘O Priyurala O Javarala’ were composed with a melodious instinct. Direction by Bhanumathi’s husband P.Ramakrishna is crisp and entertaining.

Cast and Crew:
Malathi- Bhanumathi
Chalam- ANR
Chakrapani- CSR
Jagannadham –Chandrasekhar
Vishalakshamma –Venkumamba
Revathi -Leela Kumari
Chakrapani’s Assistant- Vangara
Manorama- Suryakantham
Saradhi- Amarnath
Dr. Mukundarao -Sivarama Krishnayya
Usha- Chayadevi
Dialogues and Lyrics: Raavuri Satyanarayana
Music: Bhanumathi
Producer and Director : P.Ramakrishna
Banner: Bharani Pictures
Release Date: 1954
 

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