Mala Pilla (1938)

Synopsis: The story is based on the discrimination against Harijans in villages. While some try to end discrimination, the Brahmins oppose it headed by priest Sunderarama Shastri (Subba Rao). His photographer son Nagaraju (Venkateswara Rao) falls in love with Shamapalatha (Kanchanamala), a Harijan girl and elopes with her to Calcutta where he teaches her to read and write. The two sects fight over water and work. After Shastri's wife is saved by the Harijans from a fire accident, his view of them changes. With the police and a few civilians, the situation in the village calms down while Nagaraju and Shampalatha are married with Shastri's blessings.
Cast: Govindarajula Subba Rao (Sundararama Sastry), Kanchanamala (Shampalatha), P. Suri Babu (Chowdarayya), Sundaramma (Anasuya), Venkateswara Rao (Nagaraju), Venkata Subbaiah (Mallikarjuna Sharma), Hemalatha Devi (Radhabayamma), Puvvula Anasuya, Teku Anasuya, P. Gangaratnam, P. Lakshmikantam, M.C. Raghavan (Muneyya), Bhanumathi, Puvvula Suryakantham, Narasimha Murthy, Basavayya Chowdary, Seshaiah
Story and Dialogues: Gudipati Venkata Chalam
Screen Adaptation: Tapi Dharma Rao

Lyrics: Basavaraju Appa Rao, Tapi Dharma Rao

Music: Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao
Cinematography: Sailen Bose
Audiography: PK Viswanath
Editing: Dharam Veer Singh
Dances: N. Cheman Lal
Settings: PK Venu
Makeup: S. Mangayya, Khalid
Costumes: M. Hayath
Art: SVS Rama Rao
Director: Gudavalli Ramabrahmam
Banner: Sarathi Films Ltd.
Budget: Rs. 1.10 lakhs
Duration: 175 minutes
Release Date: 25 September
Trivia: This was a trend setter in social films.
This was dedicated to Desoddharaka Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao.