Gundamma Katha - one of the most entertaining films that Tollywood has ever made. Have you been like me with the notion that black and white movies tend to be boring with lengthy dialogues in Grandhika bhaasha and overly-emotional family drama? Then you haven't watched this flick yet!
If you want to spend that quality family time on a Sunday afternoon, then this is your go-to movie. I promise, you'll end up wondering how entertainment went up a new level way back in the 60's.
For those who haven't watched the movie yet will find the right reasons to watch it and for those who watched it numerous times will end up agreeing with these:
1. Gundamma (Suryakaantham)
Carrying the title role was not only an achievement for a female lead in those days but also a very huge responsibility. But for the actor she is, nailing it was the only outcome she could give.
The ease with which Suryakaantham garu performed her role is just tremendous. You might've understood the standard for the role she set, that it's almost impossible till date to find her replacement when planning for its remake. *Enough. Said.*
She's rude towards her step daughter, pampers her daughter more than required, dominates her brother most of the time, overly anxious about her son, the typical Yajamanuralu of the huge bungalow with her servants, can fake genuineness in front of her son-in-law but is finally ready to regret the way she behaved throughout her life when everything's gone in her life.
Kudos to the creativity of the director where he wanted to portray her in front of everyone as "Obedient wife" by praying to his footwear daily.
2. Anji (NTR)
Telugu audience completely believe that versatility found its true meaning after watching Nandamuri Taraka RamaRao act!
Be it mythology, socio-fantasy, commercial or comedy - the genre never mattered to him as much as the story did. Urike anaru mari Viswa Vikhyaata Nata Saarwa Bhowma ani!
The beauty of his characterization as Anjaneya Prasad alias Anji is that he can throw tantrums with his near and dear ones as well as become the matured and responsible son-in-law when his family needs him at the rescue.
My personal favourites in the movie are the scenes between NTR and Ramana Reddy which will leave you in splits. Also, the scenes in which he bonds up with the family with his enthusiastic nature will leave in you in admiration for the energy of the actor!
3. Lakshmi (Savitri)
The only actress who can speak numerous emotions only with her eyes. Need I say more?
The subtlety in her character is perfectly portrayed right in her introduction scene and is consistent throughout the movie, even after she comes to know that she's the eldest daughter-in-law of a big-shot like SVR.
She's caring, patient, serene, understanding, mature, responsible besides being the nicest person on the planet to accept her Step-mother back, when the latter is in trouble and realized her mistakes.
P.S: Please watch Missamma after this to see Savitri garu in an entirely opposite character.
4. Raja (ANR)
What do you do when you have a beautiful girl to get married but is very head-strong in nature? Beat her with your brains!
That's what ANR garu did as Raja in this movie. Regarded as the patient one between the brothers by his father, he truly keeps up to that word.
The Natasamrat was totally entertaining, romantic, handsome and definitely made his presence along with his acting-equal, NTR garu a visual-feast for all their fans.
Be it the sophisticated guy who comes as the son of Ramabhadraiah, the romantic lover who plots in such a way that his girl herself comes and meets him, the drunkard he turns into to teach a lesson after marriage, the hardworking man he becomes to help his wife understand the value of love and marriage - every frame in which he performed added so much value to the movie in total. *Evergreen Andagadu and it runs in the family!*
5. Saroja (Jamuna)
The adamant, rich, pampered kid who turns into a humble, loving and matured woman after facing hardships in her life - that's who Saroja is in Gundamma Kadha.
Her character also reveals that slowly women were moving out of the 'vantinti kundelu' tag in those times.
She's arrogant yet loving and childish like a 10 year old kid who learns a lot about life once she realizes how wrong she has been about the person she loved and married.
Jamuna garu did a splendid job in performing this role and my personal favorite of hers is the Pellichoopulu scene where she proves in front of SVR garu that she's indeed the spoilt brat of her over-protective mother.
6. Kanchu Gantaiah (Ramana Reddy)
The introduction scene of his character itself will leave you laughing aloud.
Neela paalu hotel lo posi aa vanka tho nethi pesarettu tine type anamata!
He's always behind his cousin, Gundamma to destroy her either by getting her daughter married to his son and in order to succeed that he doesn't hesitate to spread news that Gundamma poisoned her own husband to every marriage party.
The best part about his characterization is that it's not like the comical characters these days who are added just for the sake of it. He's an important part of the story and is koncham ekuva entertaining than all the other characters.
Watch the movie to understand the meaning of clean comedy and true essence of entertainment.
7. Rightly Chosen Cast
Be it S. V. Ranga Rao garu who is very dynamic and respectable as Ramabhadraiah, handsome Haranath as the son who's never willing to listen to his mother, the wonderful dancer L.Vijayalakshmi as his love-interest and wife, the terror-attack that Chayadevi and Rajanala are to Gundamma - everyone have been perfectly chosen to fit their roles and none of them proved to be an incorrect choice!
What's worthy than watching a movie where an actor's talent is not wasted!
8. Music by Ghantasala
This name ruled. This name created records. This name broke records too.
The beautiful soothing music that Ghantasaala master composed for this movie are immortal like any of his masterpieces.
Remember the epic - "Lechindi! Nidra lechindi mahila lokam!"
"Prema yaatralaku brundavanamu" - this song's tune was used in a song for the movie 'Detective Naarada'.
Mounamu gane manasu paadina, kolu koloyamma, sannaga veeche, manishi maaraledu, aligina velane chudali - Aanimuthyalu ante ento teliyaledu ivi vinentha varaku!
P.S: Listen to the music for which the actress L. Vijayalakshmi dances in this movie and then listen to 'Pe pe pepein' from Shahid Kapoor starrer 'Chance pe dance'. #Enough said.
9. Naagi Reddy - Chakrapani duo + Vijaya Productions banner.
Nammakam create cheyadam oka ethu ayite danini nilabettukovadam anthaku minchina pani.
These epic producers were the perfect living examples of the above words. All they aimed was to entertain audience, all they believed was the story, all they chose right was the actors who fit the characters of their story and every time they succeeded because compromise was never their cup of tea.
Pretty long description but I'm sure the movie's worth every word of it and more than this!
54 years and counting.
"June 7, 1962 was when Gundamma Kadha released".
