Palletooru (1952)

Prakash Rao’s debut, shot by noted Bengali cameraman-director Kar, is a commercial hit introducing a new phase of the Telugu ruralist melodrama. Contrasting scientific enlightenment with backward superstition, the film also pits the progressive hero Chandram (NTR) against the villainous moneylender Ganapati (Ranga Rao). A second plot strand features Kondaiah (Nagabhushanam) who wants to marry heroine Suguna (Savitri). The moneylender tries to close down Chandram’s Vishal Andhra (Greater Andhra) library in order to construct a temple in its place. When the village is hit by famine, he starts hoarding food. The hero opposes him, for which he is arrested and tried in court. The long court scene confronts the peasantry that supports Chandram with the rich landlords who persecute him. The film used verite footage of the Sankranti festival shot in the Krishna district and included progressive poet Sri Sri’s noted lyric Polalananni halaladunni. Other ruralist films followed in its wake: e.g. Pedaraitu (1952).