Abhimanam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	C. S. Rao
Written by	Samudrala Jr (dialogues)
Screenplay by	C. S. Rao
Produced by	T. Ashwadanarayana Sundarlal Nahatha
Starring	Akkineni Nageswara Rao Savitri Krishna Kumari
Cinematography	Kamal Ghosh
Edited by	C. Hari Rao N. M. Shankar
Music by	Ghantasala
Production company	Sri Productions
Distributed by	Rajasri Films
Release date	26 August 1960 (1960-08-26)
Running time	165 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Abhimanam (transl. Self Respect) is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and T. Ashwadanarayana under the Sri Productions banner and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.

Plot

The film begins with Venu a graduate, civilized with strive of his destitute mother Lakshmi Kanthamma. He falls for his colleague Radha and approaches her wealthy father with his mother taking the proposal. Thereupon, he affronts them due to the status barrier, as a result, Radha knits Venu against her father's wishes. Radha is unable to acclimatize to poverty and is haughty towards them. Moreover, she could not admit the dominance and derision of Venu's sister Kamala. Meanwhile, Venu acquires a job as a bank officer and resides in the city, as Radha restricts, Lakshmi Kanthamma and Kamala stay back. At that juncture, Venu meets his childhood friend OS Rao & his wife Suguna as neighbors. At present, Venu could not bear spendthrift Radha and becomes incapable to allocate the budget for his mother. Hence, the lenders auction their houses for debt. So, helpless, Lakshmi Kanthamma and Kamala reach Venu where Radha starts humiliating them. Once, when Venu is in camp, she attributes a heist to Kamala which makes them leave the house. On the way, Lakshmi Kanthamma encounters an accident made by Kaasulu who shelters them, without the choice of his stingy father Singaraju Lingaraju a millionaire, and Kaasulu crushes Kamala. Soon after the return, Venu realizes the fact and moves in search of his family. During that time, Radha misuses his bank treasure for her false prestige. Grief-stricken Venu turns back, detects Radha's offense, rebukes, and gets arrested. Forthwith, Radha seeks her father's help which he denies, but later, steps in, after perceiving the value of love and affection through Suguna. Being cognizant of the plight, Lakshmi Kanthamma attempts a theft at Lingaraju's house which Kaasulu notices allows the required amount. Right now, she secretly hands it over to Rao and proceeds to commit suicide, but is caught by the police. Eventually, Lingaraju identifies the theft, forcibly takes Kamala to Police Station when Kaasulu arrives, and admits the truth. By the time, Rao acquits Venu when Radha too arrives, they also learn the presence of Lakshmi Kanthamma therein. At last, Radha pleads for pardon, and even Lingaraju repents. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Kaasulu & Kamala.

Cast

• Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Venu
• Savitri as Radha
• Krishna Kumari as Kamala
• V. Nagayya as Doctor
• Relangi as O. S. Rao / Sanyasi Rao
• K. V. S. Sharma as Singaraju Lingaraju
• Chalam as Kasulu
• Allu Ramalingaiah as Thalalu
• Kannamba as Lakshmi Kanthamma
• S. Varalakshmi as Suguna

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ghantasala.^[1][2]

Reception

The Indian Express wrote, "Director C. S. Rao has ably handled his team".^[3]