Anthasthulu story at a glance
At times, nobody would know how an opportunity strikes a person. Bhanumathi faced a similar situation in her acting career. The role which was supposed to grace her in her first innings came in her second innings. That role is none other than Rani from Antasthulu. During her early years of marriage, Bhanumathi’s husband used to call her Rani. Bhanumathi brilliantly portrayed the role of Rani- a girl with haughtiness and innocence together who becomes an orphan at an early age and lives a life on streets singing songs.
Story Details:
There exists an affluent Zamindar (Gummadi) who is obsessed with discipline. Right from getting up to going to bed, he expects everything to be in an orderly manner. Everybody in the house never dare to oppose him. He doesn’t show a difference between family members and workers with respect to rules and discipline. If anyone dares to break the rule, he wouldn’t hesitate to beat them up as well. His wife (G.Varalakshmi) and Peddabbai- Elder son( ANR) religiously follow his words. But the younger son (Nagaraju) finds these rules too annoying. He feels that even a jail is better than the house where he cannot fulfill small wishes. The Zamindar comes to know about the younger son’s ideas and warns him twice not to repeat it again. But the younger son breaks the rules. A furious Zamindar attempts to hit the younger son and looking at the anger of his father, the latter dies of mental shock. As a result Zamindar breaks down mentally. From then he gets bedridden and his past haunts him. He remembers the poor woman whom he loved and who bears his girl child. Before his death he calls Peddabbai to share his secret and expresses his wish. He tells Peddabbai to find out the girl somehow and make her an equal member of the family. She is none other than Rani (Bhanumathi) who lives dancing and singing on the streets. Peddabbai gets Rani to their house and with help of his lover (Krishnakumari) he sets things right in the house. He teaches a lesson to those (Jaggaiah, Nellore Kantha Rao) who plan to get their hands on the property. He makes his father’s dreams come true and marries his lover in the climax.
Performances:
Bhanumathi literally brings life to the role of Rani in the film. She is the heart and soul of the film with her vivacious nature and histrionics. She excels in the emotional scenes as well. ANR is terrific as Peddabbai in the film who brings the family together. Gummadi is believable as the Zamindar who is disciplined in initial days and realizes his mistake later. Nagaraju is decent as the aggressive younger son. Krishnakumari is good as the female lead. G.Varalakshmi is adequate as Zamindar’s wife.
Technical Aspects:
The film has a great blend of action, sentiment, romance, glamour and everything a common film goer would ask for. Athreya’s dialogues are a lifeline for the film and great lyrics by Kosaraju were blended well with K.V.Mahadevan’s melodious music. ‘Ninu veedani Needanu Nene’ became an all time ghost theme classic. ‘Thella Cheera Kattukunnadhi Evari Kosam’, ‘Nuvvante Naakenduko Antha Idhi’, ‘Dulapara Bulloda’, ‘Vinara Vissanna Ne Vedam Chebutha Vinaranna’ became super hits.
Cast and Crew:
Rani- Bhanumathi
Peddabbai- ANR
Peddabbai’s Lover- Krishnakumari
Chinnabbai- Nagaraju
Zamindar- Gummadi
Zamindar’s Wife- G.Varalakshmi
Villains- Jagaiah, Nellore Kantharao
Dialogues: Acharya Athreya
Lyrics: Athreya, Kosaraju Raghavaiah Chowdary
Music: K.V.Mahadevan
Producer : V.B.Rajendra Prasad
Director: V.Madhusudana Rao
Banner: Jagapathi Pictures
Release Date: 27th May 1965