Jeevitham (1950 film)

For the 1984 Malayalam film, see Jeevitham (1984 film).

Jeevitham
File:Jeevitham 1949.jpg Film Poster
Directed by	A.V. Meiyappan
Produced by	A.V. Meiyappan
Written by	Story: M. V. Raman Screenplay: K. Mugunthan Dialogue: Toleti Venkata Reddy
Starring	Vyjayanthimala S. Varalakshmi T. R. Ramachandran C. H. Narayana Rao
Narrated by	M. V. Raman
Music by	R. Sudarsanam
Cinematography	T. Muthu Samy
Edited by	M. V. Raman
Production company	A.V.M Studios
Distributed by	AVM Productions
Release dates	6 July 1950 (1950-07-06)
Running time	170 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Jeevitham (Telugu: జీవితం; English: Life) is a 1950 Black-and-white Telugu social guidance film produced and directed by A.V. Meiyappan with his company AVM Productions. The film starred Vyjayanthimala in Telugu cinema debut with S. Varalakshmi, T. R. Ramachandran and C. H. Narayana Rao forming an ensemble cast with many actors appearing in other significant role. Actress Lalitha and Padmini made a guest appearance as stage dancers.

The film was a remake of 1949 Tamil film Vazhkai which was also produced and directed by A.V. Meiyappan with Vyjayanthimala in the lead. Following the success of Vazhkai and Jeevitham, it was remade in Hindi a year later by A. V. Meiyappan as Bahar, however the Hindi version was directed by M. V. Raman who was the writer in the Tamil and Telugu version. Vyjayanthimala is the only star to reprise her role in the all three version where she made her screen and regional debut through all the films.

Plot

Mohini is the daughter of Sivashankaralingeswara Prasad, who marries Durgamma following Mohini's mother's death. Durgamma's brother Murthy wants to marry Mohini. Meanwhile, Mohini falls in love with Ashok, who is none other than her neighbour Pati, but she is not aware of that. When Murthy asks Prasad for Mohini's hand in marriage, he is refused by Mohini. An angry Murthy goes to the village and spends some time with Lakshmi and leaves her. When Lakshmi becomes pregnant, she comes to the city in search of Murthy. Before she can find Murthy, she gives birth to a boy in the hospital. She meets Murthy and requests him to accept her and the child. But Murthy refuses so she leaves the child in Pati's car, and goes to the sea to commit suicide. In the meantime, Murthy plans to cancel Mohini's marriage to Pati by using the child. Due to his claim that the child is Pati's and Lakshmi's, the marriage is cancelled. The rest of the story is about how Pati faces problems from Murthy, and how he reunites with Mohini.

Cast

• Vyjayanthimala as Rani
• S. Varalakshmi as Varalakshmi
• T. R. Ramachandran as Pathi
• C. H. Narayana Rao as Murthi
• Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu as Shivashankara Lingam Prasad
• Kanchi Narasimha Rao as Basawayya
• K. Doraswamy as Venkata Subbiah
• A. Narayana Rao as Veeraswamy
• P. D. Sambantham as Seenu
• A. L. Narayana Rao as Bandivadu
• Venkumaba as Bangaramma
• Baby Vimala as child artiste
• Baby Narayanan as child artiste
• Baby Meena as child artiste
• Baby Annapoorna as child artiste
• Padmini as dancer
• Lalitha as dancer

Production

For the lead female role actress Vyjayanthimala was selected to reprise her role from the original version. She was assisted by her father, M. D. Raman, who coached her in the Telugu language to prepare her for the role. Similarly, actor T. R. Ramachandran, who also acted in the original version was chosen to reprise his role. However, during the filming his Tamil-tinged Telugu accent made the makers hesitate in using his voice, getting it dubbed by a Telugu speaking dubbing artist.

Soundtrack

• Idena Maa Desam Ida Bharata Desam (Singer: M. S. Rama Rao)
• Mana Manasu Manasu Ekamai
• Melukondi Tellavare Tellaga (Singer: S. Varalakshmi)
• Priyamaina Rani Mohini
• Bhoomi Dunnalo Rayeta Bhoomi Dunnalo

Box office

The film became a hit at the box office similar to the Tamil version which was released one year earlier. Subsequently, A. V. Meiyappan made the film in Hindi as Bahar the following year, which was directed by M. V. Raman with Vyjayanthimala reprising her role in all three version. At the end of its theatrical run, Jeevitham completed its 200th day and was the highest grossing Telugu film of 1950.

External links

• Jeevitham at IMDb
• Jeevitham profile at Upperstall.com