| Marapurani Manishi | |
| Director: | T. Rama Rao |
| Screenplay: | T. Rama Rao |
| Story: | P. Kesava Dev |
| Producer: | N. N. Bhatt |
| Starring: | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Manjula |
| Cinematography: | S. Venkataratnam |
| Editing: | J. Krishna Swamy Balu |
| Music: | K. V. Mahadevan |
| Studio: | Sri Uma Productions |
| Runtime: | 139 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Telugu |
Marapurani Manishi is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by T. Rama Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Manjula, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Odayil Ninnu (1965), which was adapted from the novel of the same name.[1] Nageswara Rao won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for this film.[2] [3]
Abbi is an orphan who is self-esteemed, stands for righteousness, and works as a rickshaw puller. He lives in a colony where everyone credits him for his amiable nature, and hotel owner Rangaiah treats him as his son, but he never seeks help. Abbi falls in love with a beautiful girl, Lakshmi, and they spend time together happily. One night, he helps a family of wealthy man Shankar from heavy rainfall, in return, he invites him and provides good hospitality, including his wife Parvathi and their cute little daughter Ammulu, showers love on him. Whereat, Abbi becomes their debtor, and Ammulu goes to school in his rickshaw when he knows his life ambition of Shankar is to see Ammulu as a graduate. Meanwhile, the wheel of fortune blights Abbi's life when Lakshmi is molested and killed by a goon Ranga. In anger, Abbi slays him and thereby lands in jail.
After release, Rangaiah accommodates him with a rickshaw when he is shocked to spot Ammulu as a beggar and Parvathi as a widow. Here, he learns that Shankar has died and is bankrupt. Now, Abbi dedicates his life to their welfare, and his only aim is to make Ammulu a graduate. Time passes, and Abbi strives hard at the cost of his health, but Ammulu develops aversion and hatred towards him as she is habituated to an affluent lifestyle, yet Abbi does not leave his aim. Years roll by, Abbi almost becomes terminally ill, and Ammulu falls in love with a rich guy, Shekar, which Abbi opposes when Ammulu insults him badly. Parvati berates Ammulu and makes her understand the virtue of Abbi when she realizes her folly and adheres to his word. After that, Abbi toils and succeeds in seeing Ammulu's graduation gown. Meanwhile, Shekar convinces his father, Ananda Rao, and everyone accepts their marriage. Finally, the movie ends with Abbi blessing the newly wedded couple and breathing his last happily.
Music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.[4]
| S. No. | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Vacchindhi Vacchindhi" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala | 4:09 | |
| 2 | "O Raamayyaa" | Acharya Aatreya | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 4:22 | |
| 3 | "Ekkado Ledule Devudu" | Acharya Aatreya | Ghantasala | 4:01 | |
| 4 | "Evade Ee Pillagaadu" | C. Narayana Reddy | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 3:58 | |
| 5 | "Em Cheppanu" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 4:19 |