Atmeeyulu story at a glance
Atmeeyulu is the first film which featured Vanisri in a full length role opposite great actor like ANR. Another film Bhale Rangadu which featured her opposite ANR also released little while after this film’s release. Vanisri played the role of a fun loving, beautiful woman who has sweet tantrums with the hero along with looking glamorous. In fact, it was Vijayanirmala who played a challenging role in this film which had negative shades and later earning the sympathy of the viewers. Chandramohan got a good name after acting in a memorable role in this film. Though the film is made officially by Saradhi Studios, it was Annapurna Studios who looked after the production responsibilities. The greatest veena song of Telugu Cinema- Madhilo Veenalu Mroge is featured in this film.
Story Details:
Rajarao (Nagabhushanam) and Jagannadham (Gummadi) are brothers. Rajarao begins his career as lawyer and becomes the judge while Jagannadham stays back in village looking after agricultural activities. Veeraiah (Dhulipalla) is a loyal assistant to them. During a water dispute in the village, the neighboring village people attack Jagannadham and Veeraiah rescues him in timely fashion. Sadly, Veeraiah dies during the rescue and he has a boy Suryam (Master Adinarayana) and a daughter Seetha (Chandrakala after growing up). By then, Veeraiah’s wife is nine months pregnant. Veeraiah’s sister Mahnakali (Suryakantham) is a cunning woman who acts affection from outside. Rajarao and Jagannadham gives huge sum of money to Mahankali and ask her to look after Suryam and Seetha. Mahankali hides the money and admits her sister in law in a government hospital for delivery. Veeraiah’s wife delivers a baby girl and sadly dies after it. Mahankali gives the baby to a childless couple named Chidambaram (Bhanuprakash- Radha Kumari) in exchange of money. She keeps Suryam and Seetha under her and makes them toil hard by mistreating them. Looking at this, Mahankali’s neighbor take Suryam and Seetha to a hotel and they grow up working there. Suryam (ANR) studies in evening college and secures university first rank. Seetha (Chandrakala) feels delighted with it. Mahankali’s son Chittbabu (Padmanabham) studies in the town and for that reason his mother stays with him. Chittibabu isn’t a bright student because of his mother’s pampering and he goes behind Saroja (Vijayanirmala) who is brought up by Chidambaram couple. Saroja believes Chittbabu’s lies about being rich and dreams of rich life. Suryam rescues Saroja once when she is chased by a stalker (Prabhakara Reddy). He looks after Saroja equally well as his sister though he doesn’t know that the former is his sister. Jagannadham comes to the college in order to meet Suryam as he is the university topper. He soon realizes that Suryam is the son of their loyal assistant Veeraiah and understands the cheating done by Mahankali. He gets Suryam and Seetha to his house. Jagannadham’s son Chandram (Chandramohan) doesn’t study well and he joins hands with Chittbabu and the stalker to eye Saroja. Jagannnadham’s brother (Nagabhushanam) lives along with his daughter Jaya (Vanisri) in former’s house. In fact, Jaya knows Suryam right from the days he is working in hotel and their sweet tantrums turn to love. Suryam gets a job as Police Officer and joins the duty leading to the happiness of Jagannadham. He gets his son Chandram married to Seetha though his son doesn’t like the match. The story takes lot of turns from then with Chandram falling in love with Saroja and planning to marry her. Meanwhile, Chittibabu is head over heels in love with Saroja and Mahankali doesn’t like this. She holds grudge on Saroja and even attempts to kill her. Saroja gets seriously injured in this course and meanwhile Chandram and Seetha have rifts in their family. The stalker gets Suryam in a wrong case while the latter is trying to reform Seetha’s family disputes. The film deals with Suryam solving his personal and family issues and the film ends on a happy note with the wedding of Suryam-Jaya and Chittibabu- Saroja.
Performances:
ANR is excellent as the hardworking gentleman who works in a hotel and studies well. His chemistry with Vanisri is evident right from the first film which featured them as a pair. Vanisri gets a typical female lead role which involves glamour, performance and emotional expressions. She does a great job in acting equally well with ANR. Chandrakala gets a tailor made role as a doting sister to the hero. Nagabhushanam and Gummadi get neat character oriented roles. Padmanabham does great job as Chittibabu- a role with different shades. Suryakantham is perfect as the cunning woman. Dhulipalla gets a pivotal role as Veeraiah. Vijayanirmala steals the show as a woman who faces lot of challenges and troubles. Chandramohan gets a role of substance as a spoiled brat of a pampered father.
Technical Aspects:
The base story is written by popular novelist Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani and she does a great job in making it a good film involving drama and entertainment. Dialogues by Pinisetty Rammurthy are captivating and gripping. S.Rajeshwara Rao’s music is a major lifeline for the film with songs like Annayya Kalale Pandenu, Ee Rojullo Paduchu Vaaru, Amma Babu Nammaradhu, Swagatham Oho Chilipikannula Srivaru, O Chamanthi Emite Ee Vintha, Kallalo Pelli Pandiri Kanabada Saage, Chilipi Navvula Ninu Choodagane became all time hits. SPB tells even now that Chilipi Kannula song is one of the best songs of his in S.Rajeshwara Rao’s music direction. Pithapuram Nageshwara Rao’s song Em Pilloi became good hit as well. Direction by V.Madhusudana Rao is efficient and at perfect best.
Cast and Crew:
Suryam- ANR
Jaya- Vanisri
Saroja- Vijayanirmala
Mahankali- Suryakantham
Chittbabu- Padmanabham
Chandram- Chandramohan
Rajarao- Nagabhushanam
Jagannadham- Gummadi
Veeraiah- Dhulipalla
Stalker- Prabhakara Reddy
Base Story- Yaddanapudi Sulochanarani
Film Adaptation- Adurthi Subbarao, Dukkapati Madhusudana Rao
Dialogues- Pinisetty Rammurthy
Lyrics- Kosaraju, Sri Sri, Dasaradhi, Arudra, Dr.C.Narayana Reddy
Music- S.Rajeshwara Rao
Film Adaptation and Producer- Dukkapati Madhusudana Rao
Direction- V.Madhusudana Rao
Banner- Sri Saradhi Studios
Release Date- 17th July 1969