Thalla? Pellama? (transl. Mother or Wife?) is a 1970 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by N. T. Rama Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Chandrakala and Master Harikrishna, with music composed by T. V. Raju. It is produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the NAT and Ramakrishna Cine Studios banners. The film was remade in Hindi as Bidaai (1974) and in Tamil as Piriya Vidai (1975).[1][2]

Thalla? Pellama?
Theatrical release poster
Directed byN. T. Rama Rao
Written byN. T. Rama Rao
Produced byN. T. Rama Rao
StarringN. T. Rama Rao
Chandrakala
Master Harikrishna
CinematographyJ. Satyanarayana
Edited byG. D. Joshi
Music byT. V. Raju
Production
company
Release date
  • 8 January 1970 (1970-01-08)
Running time
181 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Plot edit

The film begins in a village where a wise woman Ramanamma raises her two sons Prabhakar & Sudhakar. Soon after the wedding, Prabhakar acquires a fine job, and quits, neglecting his family. However, Ramanamma stands strong and strives hard to civilize Sudhakar. Years roll by, and Sudhakar a meritorious joins the college and confronts the dirty politics of a moneybag Rao Bahadur Nambitonda. Therein, his daughter Padma adores Sudhakar's ideals and loves him. Besides, Prabhakar has a prodigal life in false prestige and also bribes which is turndown by his wife Lakshmi. They are blessed with a genuine boy Krishna who is moral. Meanwhile, Padma knits Sudhakar without her father’s acceptance. However, she is unable to acclimatize to poverty and her husband’s priority toward his mother.

Hence, she detaches him from his mother which Ramanamma also insists on. Now, Sudhakar wants to teach Padma a lesson, so, he forges as a gambler & drunkard. Simultaneously, Krishna learns about his grandmother and moves for her. By the time, Ramanamma is on her deathbed when heartfelt with joy to see her grandson and he serves her. As the clock runs Padma becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy, but Sudhakar split the baby from the mother. Thus, Rao Bahadur files a case where Sudhakar proclaims it’s a play to convey true motherly affection when Padma pleads for pardon. At last, they move to Ramanamma including Prabhakar one who that bankrupt. Finally, the movie ends with Ramanamma happily departing in her children's hands.

Cast edit

Soundtrack edit

Music was composed by T. V. Raju.[3]

S. No. Song Title Lyrics Singers length
1 "Telugu Jaathi Manadi" C. Narayana Reddy Ghantasala 4:27
2 "O Bangaru Gutiloni" C. Narayana Reddy Ghantasala, P. Susheela 3:33
3 "Thaagithe Thappemundee" C. Narayana Reddy Ghantasala 5:30
4 "Brahmam Thaatha" Kosaraju P. Susheela 5:48
5 "Nuvvu Navvu Thunnavu" C. Narayana Reddy Mohammed Rafi, S. Janaki 9:27
6 "Kaalam Ee Kaalam" C. Narayana Reddy L. R. Eswari 3:20
7 "Krishnaiah Krishnaiah" C. Narayana Reddy Santha Kumari 5:56

References edit

  1. ^ Narasimham, M. L. (20 October 2000). "Unforgettable screen mother". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. ^ Paris, Arthur (1976). "Decline and Fall of Sridhar". Vol. 12. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  3. ^ "Thalla Pellama (1970)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

External links edit