Aradhana (1962 film)

Aradhana  is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language romance film produced by V. B. Rajendra Prasad and D. Ranga Rao, and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is a remake of the Bengali film Sagarika (1956). The film was released on 16 February 1962, and emerged a box office success.

Plot
Dr. Murali Krishna, an introvert, aspires to study abroad as his mother's last wish. Appreciating his dedication, the medical college principal, V. R. Rao, approves the scholarship. During that time, Murali falls in love with another medical student, Anuradha. Sarala, who loves Murali, is jealous of Anuradha. So, she writes a love letter to Anuradha in the name of Murali, which makes her furious, and she complains to Rao. As a result, Murali loses his scholarship. Humiliated, Murali gets back to the village. His father, Gopalam, decides to send Murali abroad at any cost. So, he approaches a crafty, wealthy person in their town, Lingaiah, who grants the amount stipulating that he must couple up his daughter Lakshmi with Murali. Helpless, Gopalam accepts the deal, and Murali leaves. After that, Dr. Saradhi, a close friend of Murali, chides Anuradha even though Sarala repents and admits her mistake. Now, Anuradha starts loving Murali when the wheel of fortune makes Lingaiah her paternal uncle. He announces the marriage proposal and requests Anuradha to educate and transform Lakshmi into a fashionable young lady. Knowing it, Anuradha collapses but withstands and moves forward with her entrusted responsibility.

Meanwhile, Gopalam apprises Murali regarding the promise given to Lingaiah and asks him to communicate with Lakshmi at Anuradha's address. Lakshmi falls for her cousin Yoganandam in the city, becomes carefree, and shows no interest in Murali. At present, Anuradha writes replies to Murali on behalf of Lakshmi, and both close in. Murali loses his eyesight in an accident when Lingaiah drops the match, and everyone quits Murali. After returning, Anuradha serves him out of adoration by purporting herself as Lakshmi. After some time, Rao and Saradhi plan surgery to regain Murali's eyesight. Lakshmi senses the love affair of Murali and Anuradha, so she accuses and elopes with Yoganandam, but Lingaiah forcibly brings her back. Soon after the surgery, Anuradha disappears, replacing Lakshmi, but Murali discerns and perturbs Lakshmi, who served him, which leads to loss of recouped sight. Here, Lingaiah and Saradhi convince and get back Anuradha when Murali becomes normal and learns the truth. Finally, the movie ends happily with the marriages of Murali & Anuradha and Yoganandam & Lakshmi.

Cast

 * Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Muralikrishna
 * Savitri as Anuradha
 * Jaggayya as Saradhi
 * Gummadi as V. R. Rao
 * Relangi as Yoganandam
 * Ramana Reddy as Lingaiah
 * Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah as Bondam
 * Rajasree as Sarala
 * Girija as Lakshmi
 * L. Vijayalakshmi (special appearance in the song "Emanta Emanta")

Production
Aradhana is a remake of the Bengali film Sagarika (1956). The song "Ohoho Mamayya" was planned to be filmed at Madras Zoo, but as the location was not found to be visually appealing due to continuous smoke emerging from coal engines there, the song was instead filmed at Mysore Zoo. While the film was predominantly in black-and-white, this song alone was filmed in colour.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The song "Na Hrudayamlo Nidurinche Cheli" is based on "Amar Shopne Dekha Rajkkonna Thaake" from the original Bengali film.

Release
Aradhana was released on 16 February 1962 and emerged a box office success, running for over 100 days in theatres.