Malapilla (1938) User Reviews

One of all time classics of Telugu cinema

[sridhar-bandha · 9/10 · 21 October 2013]

One of timeless classics of Telugu cinema. Based on caste problem(like Harijans were not allowed in temples by so called upper castes,etc),the movie covers comprehensively all the major problems with both so called upper caste and so called lower caste. Nagaraju the Gandhian(follower of Mahatma Gandhi) unites people of both castes in a peaceful way.Character of Nagaraju is used to tell the main message of the story, that all are equal and how people over the period of time misunderstood Vedas and Upanishads. Suri Babu(Nagaraju) is known for his great rendition of padyalu(Telugu poems) and he is the main highlight of the movie.

The best thing about the story is , while giving a message that people belonging to so called lower castes have equal rights in the society it also shows the issues among Harijans(so called lowercaste) like alcoholism and killing animals in name of god(also called bali). A must watch for all Telugus for sure.

Revolutionary Film

[sriharish-57048 · 10/10 · 22 June 2023]

YV Rao Garu raised voice against caste system.

Mala Pilla or Malapilla (English: Girl from Mala caste) is a 1938 Indian Telugu-language social problem film directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam and written by Tapi Dharma Rao. The film was produced by Raja of Challapalli, Yarladadda Sivarama Prasad on Sarathi Films banner. It featured Kanchanamala in the title role with Gali Venkateswara Rao, Govindarajula Subba Rao, P. Suribabu, Sundaramma in other prominent roles

It is a social drama depicting the love story between a Brahmin boy and a Dalit girl. The film dealt with themes like untouchability, taboo on entry into temples for Dalits, Gandhism, and nationalism in pre-independent India. The film was dedicated to the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma who had passed a law allowing members of all castes to enter temples.

Malapilla was released in a record 12 centres on September 25, 1938, and was a big hit. On its release, the film caused a sensation, rejecting the stage-derived mythological genre dominating Telugu cinema in the 1930s. The film's success kindled interest in other Telugu filmmakers to make films based on social themes. Malapilla was also the 50th talkie film made in Telugu cinema.

The writer is Gudavali Ramabrahmam and not Unnavi Lakshminarayana

[gudapatig · 6/10 · 23 July 2008]

It was mentioned that the writer is Unnavi Lakshminarayana.But the writer of this Malapilla cinema is Gudavali Ramabrahmam.People are mistaken Malapilla instead of Malapalli which was written by Sri Unnavi Lakshminarayana. The cinema is one of the best cinema in Telugu language from the last 60 years. The best part of the cinema is its songs and the heroin Kanchanamala. I have see this pitcher in television. After seeing the pitcher some higher caste people have gone to their houses and taken bath as the pitcher theme is for untouchables IE Harijans. It has run more than 100 days in all theaters it was released and collected lot of money