Anjali Pictures
Suvarna Sundari (1957)
Akkineni Nageshwara Rao and Anjali Devi recalled their experiences about Suvarna Sundari on the occasion of its completion of 50 years.
Akkineni
I still vividly remember when Adinarayana Rao (producer of the film) came up with this Suvarna Sundari. I told him that there isn’t much to do acting in the film. But I said it sure would become big hit. And I was proved right. I don’t say it is a great film but it is one of the finest folklore movies. I had very small role. Suvarna Sundari was great musical. The entire credit goes to producer and music director Adinarayana Rao. His music was awesome. When it remade in Hindi, his music was also a great success. He won the best music director in Hindi.
It is the only Hindi film that I did in my career. I still remember going to Nagpur to collect silver jubilee shield for Hindi version.
On this occasion, I want to share a few thoughts. Though I had done women roles and mythological roles on stage as child artiste in my childhood, social plays had huge impact on me. When I entered into films, I craved for social films but I used to get all folklore movies and mythological films. Keelugurram, Balaraju, etc had run for one year. So people branded me as folklore hero. They said that I don’t suit for social films. Later, I had known for social films and termed as class hero.
Where as NTR started his career in Manadesam in a social film but he went on to be hailed by the entire nation as the best acting figure to don mythological roles. None has parallel to him in those roles. You never knew what happens next in the film industry.
Anjali Devi (she had acted as leading lady and also the film is made on their home banner)
I am glad that people still remember this film after 50 years. The beauty of Suvarna Sundari lies in its great blend of music and folklore theme. Music is very integral part of the film. Take away the songs from it, it turns bore. There is nothing in it. See the story itself is based on the music. Even in Tamil and Hindi too, it had turned success because of it songs. My husband Adinaryana Rao took his award in Hindi language only.
