Missamma (Telugu Films)

MISSAMMA (1955)

*In memory of Sri A.Chakrapani, as today 24th Sept. happens to be his death day*

Missamma (Transl. Miss Madam) is a 1955 Telugu Romantic Comedy film directed by L.V.Prasad. It is produced by Aluri Chakrapani and B. Nagi Reddy under their banner Vijaya Vauhini Studios. This film stars N.T.Rama Rao, Savitri, Akkineni NageswaraRao, Jamuna and supported by Relangi Venkataramaiah, Ramana Reddy, Rushyendramani, Valluri Balakrishna, Allu Ramalingaiah, Dorai Swamy, Meenakshi and Gummadi in a cameo role appearance. The film was simultaneously shot in tamil also with a slight change in casting like Gemini Ganeshan replacing N.T. Rama Rao.
Originally Bhanumathi was selected as the heroine and four reels were shot., But once it so happened that late arrival to the sets by her on religious grounds ( Varalakshmi vratam) for which she sent a letter to the director and producer, but was not seen by Chakrapani, who being a disciplinarian had an argument with Bhanumathi and removed her from acting in his picture. He burnt before her the four reels which was earlier shot. Bhanumathi being a strong willed lady also did not find any reason to apologize. This resulted in her leaving the production. So several changes have to be made in the shooting. Savitri was promoted as heroine and Jamuna was taken in. Originally Bhanumathi was to sing all her songs for her role, and P. Leela replaced Bhanumathi. P. Suseela sang for Jamuna. Relangi had two songs for him for which he himself sang. Chakrapani preferred A.M.Raja for heroes voice.Thus there are 12 songs in the movie. Saluri Rajeswara Rao was the composer who was helped by Pingali Nagendra Rao, who penned the lyrics for all songs.
The plot of the story is two unemployed college graduates one hindu boy and another a Christian girl pretend to be a married couple in order to find employment as school teachers in a small village run by a Zamindar in his eldest daughter's name, who was missing some 16 years earlier when she was of 4 years.The Zamindar's nephew fashioned himself as a detective and is on the look out for the missing daughter. The movie ends in a family reunion after it is revealed that the young Christian woman who came to teach music to the Zamindar's.
Second daughter is none other than the Zamindar's missing first daughter.  In total the movie was a hit. The action of Savitri is superb and this picture established her as a a popular actress. ANR's action in comedy role is excellent. NTR 's performance is highly appreciable.
This movie was remade in Hindi as 'Miss Mary' in 1957 where Meenakumari plays the role of Savitri, Kishore Kumar plays the role of ANR and Gemini Ganeshan that of NTR. Hemant Kumar scored the music.
TRIVIA:
I was at Kurnool studying 1st year Intermediate and staying with my eldest brother Ramamurthy. As I told you, that those two years was the best period in my life. He was so kind to me and I had all the freedom and I used to see all newly released movies. I saw Missamma there.
I remember Ramamurthy was telling that cooking is only a common sense job. In this movie Relangi cooks the food along with NTR by seeing a cook book. As they had no balance to weigh (as given in the book), relangi uses his common sense by using a silver coin (which weighs 1 tola) in one hand in another takes the ingredient and matches the weight and adds. This results finally into a horrible dish. Ramamurthy never meant this. Common sense means matching the flavors and tastes like salt, sour, chilly etc. and add them suitably.
After my Intermediate I was at Siruguppa for one year. I had an access to Harmonium, and I was playing the song "Meeku Meere Maaku Meme" of Missamma.( Savitri teaches Music to ANR in the movie
SONG LINKS:

Misamma - Full Movie - https://youtu.be/Dszx6GbRm-4
Misamma - Music Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist