Peddamanushulu (1954)

The main characters in the film are in the public service, most of them in corrupt, negative roles, and there are many villains instead of one main villain. Dharma Rao (Gowrinatha Sastry) is the Chairman of the municipality. The municipal contractor, a local businessman, and his associates make up the rest of the corrupt cast. They use their influence for their own personal ends in secret.

Date of release
1954-01-01
TMDB
9.0 / 10 (1)
Runtime
3h 11m
Director
Kadiri Venkata Reddy

Casting

Interesting facts

Pedda Manushulu is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy. It stars Jandhyala Gaurinatha Sastry, Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Relangi, Vangara, and Sriranjani Jr. in prominent roles. The film portrays corruption among so-called respectable persons of the society. It was loosely based on The Pillars of Society, a 1877 play by famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.

Production

After the success of Pathala Bhairavi, Nagi Reddi asked K. V. Reddy to make another fantasy film for Vijaya Productions. But, after directing two historical films (Bhakta Pothana, Yogi Vemana) and two fantasy films (Gunasundari Katha, Pathala Bhairavi ), K. V. Reddy wanted to make a drama film this time. As B. N. Reddy and K. V. Reddy previously agreed to alternately direct films for Vauhini, K. V.

K. V. Reddy was interested in western literature and films. The Pillars of Society, a 1877 play by famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen attracted him. He wanted to direct a film based on the play. He collaborated with D. V. Narasaraju and D. B. G. Tilak and prepared the script. Only two characters from the play were retained and rest of the story was newly developed by the writers.

Narasaraju felt that the role of Dharma Rao was tailor-made for V. Nagayya, but he and K. V. Reddy had an ego hassle regarding the dates of Yogi Vemana (1947), so Jandhyala Gowrinatha Sastry was cast in that role. He had earlier done a minor role as Sreenadha in K. V. Reddy's Bhakta Potana (1943). Relangi, who was famous for his comic roles, was cast as 'Tikka Sankarayya' in a serious role.

Kosaraju Raghavayya wrote lyrics for three songs in the film. Kosaraju had a smashing debut with Raithu Bidda (1939) and procured the title 'Kavi Ratna', after which he went back to a quiet life as a farmer. Narasaraju wished him to come back and write, to which Kosaraju was hesitant. He finally wrote the extremely difficult satirical numbers in flat one week and went back to his home.

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