| Anthuleni Katha | |
| Director: | K. Balachander |
| Based On: | Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (Tamil) |
| Producer: | Rama Arannangal |
| Starring: | Jaya Prada Phataphat Jayalaxmi Rajinikanth Sripriya |
| Music: | M. S. Viswanathan |
| Cinematography: | B. S. Lokanath |
| Studio: | Andal Productions |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Telugu |
Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Balachander, starring Jaya Prada, with Fatafat Jayalaxmi, Rajinikanth and Sripriya in supporting roles. Kamal Haasan played a cameo.
The film is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, which was also directed by Balachander.[1] The film was later remade in Bengali as Kabita with Kamal Haasan reprising his role in the film, marking his debut in Bengali cinema.[2] This is Jaya Prada's first starring role, reprising the role played by Sujatha in the original and is considered to be one of her best films. This was also Rajinikanth's first major role. This film was shot in black-and-white.
Saritha (Jaya Prada) is a working woman in a poor family. She works hard to support her widowed sister, unmarried sister, blind younger brother, her mother, and her drunkard brother Murthy (Rajinikanth) along with his family. Her father abandons the family and goes on a pilgrimage. Not only does her brother not take responsibilities, but he also creates additional problems for her.
She has a longtime boyfriend, who wants to marry her, but she doesn't because of her commitment to her family. His eyes now wander to Saritha's widowed younger sister (Sripriya), who reciprocates his feelings. Saritha, after reading her boyfriend's love letter to her sister, arranges for them to get married, thus giving up her chance of having a life with him. She eventually accepts a marriage proposal of her boss (Kamal Haasan), when she realises that her brother has become responsible enough to take care of her family. She also helps her distressed friend, played by Phataphat Jayalaksmi to settle in life. She decides to resign from hard work, but could not as the result of the turning point in a typical Balachandar style climax.
Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth both made their Telugu cinema acting debut with this film.[3]
All songs are penned by Acharya Aatreya and the music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[4]
In 2001, Jaya Prada herself acknowledged the impact the film had in her personal life, as she very much related to the lead character.[5]