Manadesam(1949) is the film in which the legendary actor Sr.NTR made his debut in Cinema. He is seen in a small role of a police officer in the film. In one particular scene where his character had to hit some people, Sr.NTR got so involved that he really started hitting them! It was when L.V.Prasad interrupted him and said “My dear, this is Cinema not a Stage play!” .SVR failed as debutant in Varudhini and he left for Jamshedpur on job purpose and used to act in stage plays conducted by the Telugu Association there. When he came to Madras to try his luck in acting once again, he met L.V.Prasad and eventually acted in a freedom fighter role for this film.
Story Details:
The film is based on agraharam backdrop where Ramanadham belongs to an affluent family. His wife’s name is Janaki. The couple has a son named Nehru. Ramanandham has a step mother named Yashoda who is very superstitious and particular about rituals and traditions. Her son’s name is Madhu and he is our dear hero. Ramanadham is quite affectionate towards his step brother Madhu. Even Madhu is more attached to his sister in law more than his mother and he grows up under her care. Madhu is an aggressive youth who joins the freedom movement. His mother Yashoda disapproves this move. But Janaki balances Madhu from one side and Yashoda one side and keeps things smooth. Madhu has a Barrister uncle who resides in Madras. He arrives to the town along with his daughter Shobha (Herione) during holidays. Shobha is averse to freedom movement and she admires the British with modern outlook. Madhu and Shobha have arguments regarding this and it aggravates. Meanwhile, superstitious Yashoda doesn’t let Shobha and her father eat along with them and serve food to them outside the house. They feel disgusted with this treatment and leave for Madras. Ramanadham arrives to Madras to cajole them. He invites Shobha and her father to his grand villa in Madras and convinces them with polite words. It is when Shobha starts liking Madhu and they both fall in love. The story takes many twists and turns from then. Madhu gets imprisoned during the freedom struggle and Ramanadham gets stuck with legal cases leading to surrender of his properties to Police. Shobha, who witnesses all this starts hating the nature of the British and she also joins the Freedom Movement. Ramanadham’s family reunites on the Independence Day (15th Aug 1947) after so many estrangements and troubles. The story ends on a happy note with the wedding of Madhu and Shobha.
Cast and Crew:
Ramanadham- Nagaiah
Janaki- Kanchana
Yashoda- Hemalatha
Madhu- Narayana Rao
Shobha- Krishnaveni (Also the producer of the film)