Muddu Bidda story at a glance

After her acting debut with Puttillu directed by Dr.Garikipati Rajarao, Jamuna couldn’t get offers easily later. It was when Muddhu Bidda gave her the much needed break as an actress. The character Radha in this film was brought to life by her with various emotions such as sweet anger, beauty and argumentativeness. With the success of this film, Jamuna never looked back in her career. L.V.Prasad’s nephew K.B.Tilak earned great experience as an editor and later established the production house named Anupama. He got good support from Jaggaiah and Arudra who are his friends. As a result, the first film Muddhu Bidda was made in the banner of Anupama with the combination of Jaggaiah- K.B.Tilak-Arudra-Pendayala. This successful combination later gave many good films like MLA, Atha Okinti Kodale, Eedu- Jodu- Uyyala Jampala, Bhoomikosam (Jayaprada’s first film- in which she was credited with the name Lalitha Rani). Muddhu Bidda is based on Sharath Babu’s Bengali novel Bindoor Khel. This film was later made in Hindi as Choti Bahu in the year 1971 in which Sharmila Tagore played the role which Jamuna portrayed.

Story Details:
A Zamindar (CSR)’s daughter Radha (Jamuna) is a happy go lucky lady who likes to live life in a recreational manner. Despite growing up, she has a habit of playing with dolls and if anybody intervenes, she gets terribly upset and gets fits. Her father realizes that if she gets married to a doctor, there will be good care and protection for such sensitive person. He gets her married to a doctor named Madhu (Jaggaiah). But Radha feels sad for being childless, and an ardent lover of dolls and kids. It is when Madhu’s brother Seshayya(Nagaiah)and sister in law Seetha (Lakshmi Rajyam) understand her turmoil and give their son. Radha bonds instantly with the kid and meanwhile Madhu’s sister (Suryakantham) cannot bear the happiness of the former. She initially plans to give her kid in adoption to Radha and thereby getting all the properties in her hands but it gets thwarted with Seetha’s son coming into picture. She brings quarrels and disturbances between the two brothers in the family. After lot of twists and turns, she realizes the unconditional love of Radha towards the kid and feels regret.

Performances:
Jamuna is extraordinary as Radha in this film. She displays an innocent freshness along with emotional turmoil with amazing ease and perfection. Her performance in emotional drama oriented scenes was wonderful.  Jaggaiah is earthly as the doctor and a considerate husband to Radha. His chemistry with Jamuna is good. CSR is decent as the zamindar and Nagaiah, Lakshmi Rajyam are good as well. Suryakantham is at her jealousy best in this film.

Technical Aspects:
Though the original story is based from Bengal, writer Arudra adapted it well for Telugu households. He himself penned the lyrics for songs and every song became great hit. Music by Pendayala worked wonders with songs ‘Choodalani Undhi Amma Choodalani Undhi’, Evaru Kannaru Evaru Pencharu’, ‘Jayamangala Gowri Devi Dayachoodumu Challani Thalli’ became hits. Direction by K.B.Tilak is crisp as well as  entertaining.

Cast and Crew:

Radha- Jamuna

Dr.Madhu- Jaggaiah

Zamindar- CSR

Seshayya- Nagaiah

Seetha- Lakshmi Rajyam

Madhu’s sister- Suryakantham

Dialogues and Lyrics- Arudra

Music-  Pendyala

Producer and Director-  K.B.Tilak

Banner- Anupama (First Film)

Release Year -1956