Abhimanam (transl. Self Respect) is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and T. Ashwadanarayana under the Sri Productions banner[2] and directed by C. S. Rao.[3] It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Krishna Kumari,[4] with music composed by Ghantasala.[5]

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[1]
Distributed by	Rajasri Films
Release date	26 August 1960 (1960-08-26)
Running time	165 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Plot

The film begins with Venu (Akkineni Nageswara Rao) a graduate, brought up with the efforts of his destitute mother Lakshmi Kanthamma (Kannamba). He falls for his classmate Radha (Savitri) and approaches her father (Chittor V. Nagayya) with his mother taking their marriage proposal. Thereupon, Radha's father insults them due to their financial status, as a result, Radha has to marry 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 (Krishna Kumari). 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 O. S. Rao (Relangi) & his Suguna (S. Varalakshmi) 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 debts made for Venu's education. 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 (Chalam) who shelters them, without the choice of his miserly father Singaraju Lingaraju (K. V. S. Sharma) a millionaire. Kaasulu and Kamala fall for each other. 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 and discovers Radha's offense when he chides and denounces her and gets arrested. Immediately, 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. Understanding the situation, he 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 at the station. At last, Radha pleads for pardon, and even Lingaraju repents. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Kaasulu and 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

Crew

• Art: Annamalai
• Choreography: Pasumarthi
• Dialogues: Samudrala Jr
• Lyrics: Samudrala Jr., Sri Sri, Kosaraju, Arudra
• Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, Jamuna Rani, Jikki, Madhavapeddi Satyam, J. V. Raghavulu, S. Varalakshmi
• Music: Ghantasala
• Editing: N. M. Shankar, C. Hari Rao
• Cinematography: Kamal Ghosh
• Producer: Sundarlal Nahatha, T. Ashwadanarayana
• Screenplay — Director: C. S. Rao
• Banner: Sri Productions
• Release Date: 26 August 1960

Soundtrack

Music composed by Ghantasala.[6]

References