Seethakoka Chilaka

Seethakoka Chilaka is a 1981 Indian Telugu-language romance film directed by Bharathiraja. The film was produced by Edida Nageswara Raa via Poornodaya Movie Creations banner and was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Alaigal Oivathillai. Murali (credited as Karthik in Tamil) played the lead role in both versions of the film along with Mucherla Aruna in this version, making their career debut. The film won five Nandi Awards.

The film was retrospectively featured in the Indian Panorama section of the 9th International Film Festival of India, 1983.

Plot
Raghu and the men of his village roam the village teasing girls. One day Karuna enters the village. Raghu and his friends make mischief with her but when they come to know that Karuna is David's sister, they become afraid of her. Raghu's mother is a classical music teacher. Karuna wants to learn classical singing, hence she goes to Raghu's house. Slowly Raghu and Karuna fall in love with each other. When Raghu's mother learns of their love, she warns Raghu about the difference between him and Karuna. Karuna belongs to a Christian community, whereas Raghu is a Hindu. Moreover, Karuna's brother David is a heartless person who may even kill Raghu for loving Karuna. But Raghu and Karuna explore their love even when all the villagers are against them. They leave the village to fly to their lovely world, like butterflies, hence the title Seethakoka Chilaka.

Cast

 * Murali as Raghu
 * Aruna as Karuna
 * Sharath Babu as David
 * Silk Smitha as Lissy
 * Jaggayya
 * Dubbing Janaki
 * Rallapalli
 * Master Ali

Production
After Edida Nageswara Rao liked the story of the Tamil film Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), which had been filming for a few days, he arranged for the film to be made in Telugu as well. Karthik, the lead of Alaigal Oivathillai, was retained in the same role and was credited as Murali. Silk Smitha, who played a major role in Tamil, repeated her role in Telugu.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Veturi. The songs were chartbusters especially "Maate Manthramu".

Box office
The film ran for a hundred days in ten centres.

Accolades

 * National Film Awards – 1981
 * Best Feature Film in Telugu


 * Nandi Awards – 1981
 * Best Feature Film – Gold – Edida Nageswara Rao
 * Best Director – Bharathiraja
 * Best Supporting Actor – Sarath Babu
 * Best Music Director – Ilaiyaraaja
 * Best Child Actor – Ali