Title:
Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
Banner: Vijaya
Director: LV Prasad
Producers: Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani
Lyricist: Pingali Nagendra Rao & Utukuri Satya Narayana
Camera: Marcus Bartley
Music: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao
Cast: NT Rama Rao, SV Ranga Rao, G Vara Lakshmi, Savitri,
Suryakantham, Joga Rao, Meenakshi, Doraiswami, Pushpalata
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Story:
LV
Prasad's ensemble comedy abounds in intrigues and disguises gearing
to the making and breaking of marriage alliances.
This
film pits three pairs of lovers, backed by a kind-hearted aristocrat,
against traditional parents committed to viewing marriage as a commercial
transaction. Govindaiah, a lawyer wants Raja to marry Chitti. She,
however, loves an endearing bodybuilder to whom by traditional obligations,
she rightfully belongs. Govindaiah makes Raja's marriage to Chitti
on the precondition for helping to find a husband for Raja's sister
Ammadu (Vara Lakshmi). Raja rejects the deal and, with his younger
brother, sets out to find a groom for Ammadu.
In
a distant village, he meets Zamindar Veeyanna (SV Ranga Rao), a
complex character of declining fortunes and generous spirit who,
as Panchayat President, also serves as a representative of the state.
Raju and Veeyanna's daughter Savitri (Savitri) fall in love and
their wedding is quickly arranged. Veeyanna also finds a groom,
Ramana (NT Rama Rao), for Ammadu, but Ramana's father Venkatapathy
is a puranam-reciting scrooge who demands a large dowry,
which Veeyanna promises to pay.
Private
Govindaiah meanwhile plots his own revenge on the wedding day, inciting
Venkatapathy to insist on the dowry being paid before the marriage.
The narrative that follows is 'staged' by the new couple with the
help of Raja, Savitri and others. Ramana pretends to give in to
his father's demands to cal the wedding off, but starts living with
Ammadu and, when his father arrives, feigns mental illness while
Ammadu and Raja disguise themselves as nurse and doctor. Ammadu
endears to Venkatapathy by showing interest in his puranam
recitals.
The
groom 'recovers' from the madness and Ammadu gives birth to their
son, causing a fresh round of gossip in the village and providing
the original villain Govindaiah with yet another opportunity to
make trouble. The crisis is resolved following a relapse of insanity
on the part of Ramana, as well as the discovery of Ammadu's baby,
before the uncaring parents relent and various couple are reunited.
In
addition to use of popular theater techniques, especially when various
characters 'enact' scenarios in order to teach other characters
a lesion, the narrative is punctuated by two inserted stage performances
by school children. It featured several popular songs, esp. Amma
Noppule and Pelli Chesukuni.
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