Manchi Mitrulu story at a glance

After acting along with Superstar Krishna in popular films like Goodhachari 116, Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna and Lakshmi Nivasam, Manchi Mitrulu is the film which had Sobhan Babu in a role of equal potential. The two stars acted as best friends in this film. Though Krishna’s character of transforming from a dacoit to a normal person earned good sympathies, it was Sobhan Babu’s glamorous presence and heroism which scored better. This film has Sobhan Babu playing a role which is too close to his real self- having traits like retaining the good nature and individuality by balancing the differences in the materialistic world.

Story Details:
Gopi (Krishna) and Seenu (Sobhan Babu) are best friends. Gopi is a straightforward person who cannot tolerate injustice and gets easily angered. His father is no more but he has a mother and sister Indira (Vijayanirmala). He gets differences with his mother and walks out of the house to live individually. He comes to his friend Seenu and they both search for jobs together. Due to the brash nature of Gopi, he struggles to sustain in any job he gets. Seenu tries to convince Gopi about the importance of practical living and explains him how to balance life. Gopi disagrees with his friend and challenges that he will earn money in his way in a period of five years. As a result, both best friends get separated. They come to a mutual agreement to meet in the same place after five years and discuss about what they individually achieved.  Lot of changes happen in this period of five years where Seenu shifts to another town and befriends a house seller  Maalokam (Chalam). He even falls in love with Indira unaware of her identity. Profesionally he becomes a police officer as well. Gopi meanwhile falls in a crime trap by joining in a gangster group run by siblings Pasupathi (Nagabhushanam) and Meena (Geethanjali). Unfortunately, Gopi earns a “Most Wanted Criminal” tag too. A cold war continues between once upon a time friends for five years and when they meet to discuss about their achievements in life, Gopi  tells what all he did and surrenders to the police.  Unfortunately, Gopi dies in this confrontation and Seenu feels miserable for his long lost friend.

Performances:
Sobhan Babu played one of his career best roles in this film as Seenu. His acting skills to show the youthfulness, practicality in living, comic timing were brilliantly made use. He excelled in romantic scenes involving Vijayanirmala and comedy scenes with Chalam. Krishna is brilliant as the brash Gopi who fails in life. His emotional turmoil was brilliantly picturized in the film as well. He also shares a great onscreen chemistry with his co-star Sobhan Babu. Vijayanirmala is decent as the love interest of Seenu. Nagasbhusham is at his usual evil best and Geethanjali gives rightful support.

Technical Aspects:
Music is one of the greatest lifelines of the film with fantastic lyrics by Dr.C.Narayana Reddy. Especially the song “Ennallo Vechina Udayam”  explains the complete storyline in the song duration and earned playback singer SPB a fantastic name. Ora Chupulu Choodaka Munupe became a youthful hit duet those days. The story is very strong and it would have been apt if this film was made with stalwarts like Sr.NTR an ANR when they were in young age. Dialogues make the audience think about the bigger aspects of life such as Attitude, Money and Practicality.

Cast and Crew:

Seenu- Sobhan Babu

Gopi- Krishna

Indira-Vijayanirmala

Maalokam- Chalam

Pasupathi- Nagabhushanam

Meena- Geethanjali

Written by- Bhamidipati Radhakrishna

Lyrics- Arudra, Dasaradhi,Dr.C.Narayana Reddy

Music- S.P.Kodandapani

Producer- P.Mallikarjuna Rao

Direction- Tatineni Ramarao

Banner-Madhu Pictures

Release Date- 12^th January 1969