Reviews

Missamma, as the name suggests is the story of a dignified young woman who demands and commands respect. And respect she gets with a dose of humility, affection and love by all the other characters in the story.

Gopalam, a rich landlord in a remote village is unable to run his school, sentimentally named after his long lost eldest daughter, Mahalakshmi, due to lack of proper teachers. The school is run under the guidance of his nephew, A.K Raju, a self proclaimed detective much in the likeness of Alfred Hitchcock and Sherlock Holmes. A Musali Panthulu, pretending tutorship, makes the school his personal Ayurvedic clinic and the pupils, his unpaid apprentices.

Gopalam, in a bid to save his school from collapse, takes his wife's advice and advertises for a BA passed couple who would help in running the school by tutoring the neglected pupils. The mandate is that the couple should be married. M.T. Rao is a young graduate who is desperately searching for a job and so is Mary, a jobless music teacher who also happens to be a graduate. Mary's elderly parents are drowned in debt that they incurred from David for Mary's education and are unable to repay it because of old age. And now David has proclaimed that the debt will be waived provided Mary marries him.

M.T Rao with his vagabond sidekick Devayya read Gopalam's advertisement and now are desperately searching for a graduate wife for M.T Rao and find a match in the proud and conceited Mary. Mary instantly refuses the offer and is coaxed into it when suggested of a fake matrimony and emphasized on the good money involved, the later which she plans to repay David's debt with. She reluctantly wears a mangalasutra and a bindi both of which are against her staunch religious beliefs. The humor involved in these scenes suggests the directors vivid portrayal of social norms and taboos prevalent in Protestant Christian converts even today in India.

The couple and Devayya enter the village and take charge of the school and enter the hearts of Gopalam, his wife and his youngest daughter Sita, M.T Rao because of his humility and Mary because of her resemblance to the long lost daughter. This sparks the detective instinct of Raju who is for a long time trying to find his long lost cousin Mahalaxmi, Gopalam's daughter. He desperately tries to find Mahalakshmi's identity mole on Mary's right foot in vain not because of its absence but by pure ill luck. Mary is immediately averse to the favors showered on her and Rao by Gopalam's family which she deems as un necessary and more so by Sita's childish tantrums with Rao, which she detests and the later whom she secretly admires.

Meanwhile Devayya extracts monetary favors from Raju in return for information about the married couple using which Raju plans to find a link between Mary and Mahalakshmi. Petty quarrels between Rao and Mahalakshmi spark a mutual respect and a suppressed love. In the city David tricks Mary's parents and gets her village address and sets out to seek her. He is immediately followed by the elderly couple who realize the trick and are concerned for Mary's safety.

The final encounter happens at Gopalam's family where David exposes the false marriage and just when Gopalam and his wife are confused, enter the elderly parents of Mary to find the childhood photo of Mary in the Gopalam household. At last the mystery mole is exposed by Raju and Mahalakshmi is reunited with her long lost parents. Everyone except David is happy at the reunion and more so A.K Raju who is now elevated by the family to the status of a professional detective.

The light comedy throughout the movie gently rocks the audience. The music and songs are very informative and are melodious masterpieces. They come when words fail to explain sentiments. "Brundavani vanam andharidhi, Govindhudu andhari vaade le" meaning "the world belongs to everyone and even does the lord of lords" comes at a stage countering Mary's beliefs that Jesus is the only Lord and that Hindus are totally different from Christians. In "Raavoyi chandamaama" Rao explains his plight to the Moon God where he is in a helpless situation due to Mary's stubborn behavior.

Savitri is excellent, and is the heart and soul of the movie. With her stubborn and conceited behavior she captures the audience. Her despise of the Hindu practices draws much laughter and her helplessness in certain situations some sympathy. NTR is good and so are all the other characters. A must watch for all black and white Telugu classic fans.

Today's audience will scornfully look down upon anyone who sees such black and white classics. This is mostly because of ignorance and widespread conceit that such movies will not offer what one would expect them to. "How can I enjoy what my grandparents enjoyed in their teens?" is the first thing that comes to their mind while contemplating about such movies. For once put all your conceit and ignorance on the back burner and enter into a 3 hour drama which is devoid of actors. The only people you will see are characters who shun the role of actors. When the movie ends, you will be talking about Anji or Gundamma but not about NTR or Suryakantham. This movie will open your world into the classic past of black and white from a colorful present.

Gundamma is a rich widow who has a daughter Saroja, and son Prabhakar and a Cinderella like step daughter Lakshmi. Both the girls are beautiful and intelligent but the similarity ends there. Saroja is a teen spoiled by her mother's pampering where as Lakshmi is treated as a servant in her own house. Ramabhadraiah, who has two sons of marriageable age is searching for suitable brides. It so happens that he used to be a good friend of Gundamma's late husband. He now sends a letter to Gundamma that he is interested in her daughter for his son's alliance. Gundamma is interested in the alliance but for her own daughter Saroja. She wants to overcome the obstacle of her elder step daughter by getting her married to some good for nothing person so that the world does not censure Gundamma of neglecting her step daughter. Enter Kanchu Gantaiah, Gundamma's Gumastha(manager) somehow wants Saroja to marry his own son who he insists is pursuing higher education abroad which happens to be the well known Andhra prison.

Meanwhile, Ramabhadraiah and his sons know about Gundamma's miserliness, avarice and her treatment of her children and decide to play a game to teach her a lesson. After deciding that Lakshmi will make a suitable match for his first son and Saroja for his second , Ramabhadraiah, asks his sons to commence the drama. The first son enters Gundamma's house as Anji, a street worthy servant and wins her heart instantly and even a place in her house as a helping hand. The second son Raja, with the aid of his cousin Padma, who happens to be Saroja's friend, enters as Ramabhadraiah's son woos her, and ends up winning her heart. The servant son, with his humility and wit, wins Lakshmi's heart and asks Gundamma for Lakshmi's hand in marriage. After taking Gantaiah's advice, she obliges under the impression that she will never find a more obliging and humble fool who would ever do her command. Anji marries Lakshmi.

Meanwhile, Gundamma is impressed by the second son for Saroja and is making plans for the wedding. However, she receives a letter from Ramabhadraiah that he is no longer interested in the alliance doubting rumors that Gundamma poisoned her husband, his friend. Saroja wants to marry Raja at all costs and creates a tantrum that she will die if refused her demand. Gundamma obliges again after taking advise from her trustworthy manager convinced that a son in law in her own house will not raise a voice and that she can relish the company of her beloved daughter even after her marriage. All along, Prabhakar is in love with Padma, and marries her against Gundamma's wish without taking dowry.

Anji fights with Gundamma and leaves the house with his beloved Lakshmi. Raja shows his true colors by acting as a drunkard and discloses that he is not Ramabhadraiah's real son and is a vagabond and wanted thief. As Gundamma's problems are starting, enters Padma's paternal aunt, a terror to even Gundamma. The cat fights which ensue between Gundamma' and Padma's aunt go out of control after a while. Raja absconds leaving Saroja in distress and then writes a letter to her asking her to accompany him in his flight. Saroja being a good wife, obliges and leaves Gundamma's house very much against her wishes. Gundamma is shattered with all these problems and at such a time, Gantaiah's son, freshly released from prison, torments her even more. Thus Gundamma, in the absence of Prabhakar is confined to the out house of her own house by Padma's boisterous aunt and Gantaiah's prison educated son.

Life twists for Lakshmi when Anji places her in the bungalow of Ramabhadraiah proclaiming her to be the mistress of the house and the daughter in law of Ramabhadraiah. She forgets her life long misery but still holds concern for her mother Gundamma and Saroja her sister. Saroja is introduced as a gardener in the same bungalow by Raja and is humiliated by Ramabhadraiah as a servant. Saroja's conceit and arrogance break thus making her a well behaved wife..Meanwhile even Gundamma is transformed into a humble woman following all of life's tortures in a short span. Lakshmi is re-united with Saroja and both of them go to Gundamma to reveal the facts about their futures. Gundamma is happy to see that both of them are married into a good family and continues to be good to everyone from then on.

The numerous mild comedy scenes that are present throughout the story are noteworthy and so are the songs. NTR as Anji is excellent and so is Suryakantham as Gundamma. Every other character shares importance in the story line which is GUNDAMMA KATHA.

After watching movies like, Lord of the Rings, Troy, Harry Potter, Flash Gordon etc, one would wonder what this movie made by Indians in 1957 offers in terms of story, special effects, acting and all. But there ends the doubt. Maya bazaar is a tale which revolves around the kidnapping of Balarama's daughter Sasi rekha by Bhima's son Gatothgaja and her wedding to Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna. Full of special effects, camera tricks by the famous camera man Marcus Bartley, this movie is a visual feast to even modern audiences. The incredible star cast includes SVR, NTR, ANR, CSR, Relangi, Ramana Reddy, Savitri, Mukkamala, Mikkineni, and Surya kantam is unmatched in any other such venture. One can doubtlessly credit each of the above actors with a modern day Oscar (for lack of better recognized awards).

The story starts with Balarama promising his sister Subhadra that her son Abhimanyu,(Arjunas son) will be given his daughter Sasi rekha in marriage. This is endorsed by Balarama's brother, Sri Krishna. Abhimanyu and Sasi rekha are just kids when this promise is made and they eventually grow up separately in their own houses i.e Indra prasta and Dwaraka respectively. But as fate would have it, the Pandavas lose their wealth, kingdom in an unjust game of dice and are condemned to a 13 year exile by the Kauravas. Subhadra along with Abhimanyu seeks asylum with her brothers, Balarama and Sri Krishna. Balarama sets out to condemn the injustice done by the Kauravas to the Pandavas. But the Dushtachatushtayam (evil quadrangle formed by Duryodhana, Dushyasana, Sakuni and Karna) honour the furious Balarama and pacify him with praises and trick him into believing that the game of dice was won in a just way. The easily pleased Balarama returns to Dwaraka after promising Duryodhana that Sasi rekha would become his son's wife.

This news reaches Subhadra and she feels insulted by this gesture made by her own brother in seeking alliance with the enemies of her husband. Sasi rekha who is in love since her childhood with Abhimanyu is heart broken. Subhadra and Abhimanyu plan to leave Dwaraka unable to bear this. But the All knowing Sri Krishna, asks the charrioteer to take them to Gatothgaja's ashram instead. In course of time, after a few encounters with Gatothgaja's rakshasas and with Gatothgaja himself, Abhimanyu and Subhadra are united with Gatothgaja and his mother Hidimbi who is Bhima's wife. The brothers plan to take revenge on the Dushtachatushtayam after Abhimanyu recounts to his brother the events leading to Sasi rekha's planned wedding with Lakshmana, Duryodhana's son. Eventually, Gatothgaja with the help of Sri Krishna, kidnaps Sasi rekha and transports her to his ashrama where she is united with Abhimanyu. Gatothgaja, with his maya disguises himself as Sasi rekha and replaces her in Dwaraka after asking his henchmen Chinnamaya to build a welcome palace for the Kauravas who are set to arrive with the wedding procession. Chinnamaya along with Lambu and Jambu designs and builds a welcome palace with his MAYA and that is the MAYA BAZAAR. It is here that the wedding procession arrives with the groom Lakshmana and the Dushtachatushtayam, and the events that follow are hilarious.

The various events that take place in the MAYA BAZAAR where the bride's party caters to all the whims of the groom's party, with a funny twist for each are remarkable. The false Sasi rekha(Gatothgaja in disguise) behaves with Lakshmana in such a way that he starts becoming frightened of her and the final drama at the wedding alter leads the groom's party into believing that the bride Sasi rekha(Gatothgaja in disguise) is possessed by evil spirits. The Dushtachatushtayam blame Sri Krishna for all this because of this partiality towards the Pandavas. Ultimately Sri Krishna reveals to Balarama that the Dushtachatushtayam had tricked him by making him fall for their courtesy into this and explains that the true Sasi rekha is being married to Abhimanyu for the same muhurtam. The Dushtachatushtayam are bashed up and transported to Hastinapura and the rest attend Sasi rekha's wedding all by Gatothgaja's maya.

The sequences where Sasi rekha(Gatothgaja in disguise) meets Lakshmana for the first time, where Sasi rekha(Gatothgaja in disguise) eats up the food meant for the entire host, where Chinnamaya, lambu and jambu torture the groom's sidekicks are totally hilarious. The director has left no stone unturned in squeezing the best from all the cast. Songs are wonderful and are melodiously informative. Poems are circumstantial adding punch to the already marvelous dialogues. The skeleton for the story is derived from the Mahabharata but the meat is mostly fictional.

I have a personal feeling that this is the best movie, ever made. This is a movie for everyone and is made to perfection.