Santhanam (transl. Children) is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced & directed by C. V. Ranganatha Das under the Sadhana Films banner while L. V. Prasad has taken care of direction supervision. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and music composed by Susarla Dakshina Murthy. The film is the debut of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in the Telugu film industry.[1][2] The song Nidura Pora Thammuda was a trend setter in being a theme song that unites lost siblings.[3] The film was remade in Tamil as Marakka Mudiyuma?.
Plot
The film begins with Rangaiah a laborer who has two children and his wife passes away giving birth to a third. Beyond that, Rangaiah loses his eyesight in an accident and 3 children are left to fend for themselves by Rangaiah. Due to misfortune, the second one Ramu is lost on the train and joins a drama troupe. the eldest Lakshmi finds shelter at the wealthy Narahari Rao's residence, with the help of his son Madhu. One day, unfortunately, the younger Babu is abducted by a thief for a locket when Mastan Baba, a wrestler rescues and rears him. Years roll by, and Ramu turns into a stage artist and his proprietor compels him to knit his daughter. Frightened Ramu escapes and lands at a tycoon Subbaraju's residence where he is appointed as a cook and Sarada the daughter of Subbaraju falls for him. Parallelly, Madhu & Lakshmi share a bond beyond a causal relation, and he promises to espouse her. Knowing it, Narahari expels Lakshmi immediately after he proceeds abroad. Before dying, Mastan Baba reveals Babu his birth secret and handovers the locket. After that, he saves Narahari's daughter Sarala from goons and they crush. Here Narahari angers as he aspires to perform Sarala's wedding with his nephew Shakaram, so, he detached them too.
Meanwhile, Subbaraju learns about the love affair of Ramu & Sarada and gives approval for their alliance, and promotes Ramu as General Manager. After returning, Madhu finds out about his father's violation of Lakshmi. Right now, she works as a daily worker at Subbaraju's factory where Manager Kamayya tries to molest her when Babu rescues her. In the quarrel, she recognizes him by the locket. Following, to take avenge, Kamayya throws Lakshmi into debt and asks her to vacate the house. So, to repay the amount Babu heists a beggar who is Rangaiah. Whereat, Lakshmi chides Babu and returns it to Rangaiah and shelters him. During that plight, Lakshmi moves for Ramu's help but he is reluctant. Depressed Lakshmi moves on to singing their childhood song when Ramu recognizes her. So, he rushes, pleads pardon, and narrates their story which Rangaiah overhears. However, he is quiet out of contrition when Babu arrives, strikes Ramu, and unfortunately, Lakshmi is wounded. Immediately, she is shifted to a hospital where Madhu treats her. Accidentally, Babu spots grief-stricken Sarala therein and consoles her. Discerning the situation, Subbaraju silently arranges the weddings of siblings. Being cognizant of it, Narahari lands at the venue when Rangaiah bars him and divulges the truth about where the children mingled with their father. Looking at their affection Narahari also realizes. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriages of siblings with their respective love interests.
The film was dubbed into Tamil with the same title and released in 1956.[4] Dialogues were written by Thanjai T. K. Govindan and the lyrics were penned by Kuyilan.
References
^Narasimham, M. L. (26 September 2014). "SANTHAANAM (1955)". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
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