# Kula Gotralu

Kula Gotralu (transl. Caste and Clans) is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna Kumari and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Acharya Aatreya wrote the dialogues for the film. It was produced by A. V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Pictures banner.
The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu certificate of merit in 1963. Noted actor Krishna played a sidekick role in the film before becoming an established actor.

## Plot

The film begins in a village where Zamindar Bhushayya, a respected figure, upholds traditional values of caste and clan. He lives with his wife, Santhamma, two daughters, Jagadamba and Leela, and a son, Ravi. Jagadamba, being the daughter of Bhushayya's first wife, harbours resentment towards her stepmother’s children. Her husband, Sadanandam, an opportunistic loafer, also resides with them.
Ravi moves to the city for higher studies, where he falls in love with Saroja, a medical student. Saroja’s mother, Kanthamma, was ostracized by society after being betrayed by an impostor named Chalapati. Despite Bhushayya's disapproval, Ravi marries Saroja, leading to his estrangement from the family. Ravi becomes a police officer and is later posted to his hometown, where he stays as a neighbour of their family friend, Ramanayya.
Bhushayya arranges an affluent marriage alliance for Leela, but it is called off upon learning about Ravi's marriage. To salvage the situation, Bhushayya hastily arranges Leela's marriage to Ramanayya's nephew, Joga Rao. Meanwhile, Jagadamba and Sadanandam manipulate the situation to widen the rift between Ravi and Bhushayya. Santhamma, gravely ill, wishes to reconcile with Ravi. However, Sadanandam deceives Bhushayya by falsely claiming Ravi has refused, leading to her death. Bhushayya forbids Ravi from attending the funeral, further deepening the family divide.
Saroja later gives birth to a son, softening Bhushayya’s stance, and he secretly visits to bless the child. Jagadamba and Sadanandam conspire with Chalapati, now a criminal, to further their schemes. Chalapati double-crosses Sadanandam and plans a robbery. Ravi intervenes with Saroja’s help. During the confrontation, Saroja defends her in-laws, even striking her father to protect them. This act earns her Bhushayya’s respect, and he acknowledges her virtues. Jagadamba and Sadanandam also repent for their actions.
The film concludes with the family reuniting and finding happiness.

## Cast

* Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Ravi
* Krishna Kumari as Saroja
* Gummadi as Bhushayya
* Relangi as Sadanandam
* Ramana Reddy as Ramanayya
* Padmanabham as J. J. Rao / Jasthi Joga Rao
* Allu Ramalingaiah as Peeramma
* Raja Babu as Ravi's friend
* Mikkilineni as Chalapati
* Krishna as Bridegroom in marriage
* Suryakantam as Jagadamba
* G. Varalakshmi as Kanthamma
* Girija as Leela
* Sandhya as Anasuya
* Nirmalamma as Santhamma

## Production

It was the first film to be shot in Visakhapatnam.

## Music

Music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
| S. No | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
| 1 | "Chelikadu Ninne Rammani Piluvaa" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 5:00 |
| 2 | "Chilipi Kanula Thiyyani Chelikadaa" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Suseela | 5:00 |
| 3 | "Ayyayyo Chethilo Dabbulo Poyane" | Kosaraju | Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram | 5:00 |
| 4 | "Maama Sathru Bhayankara" (Padyalu) | Kosaraju | Madhavapeddi, Relangi | 5:04 |
| 5 | "Nee Nallani Jadalo Poolu" | Kosaraju | Jamuna Rani, Pithapuram | 4:56 |
| 6 | "Raave Raave Balaa" | Kosaraju | P. B. Sreenivas, Jamuna Rani | 5:00 |
| 7 | "Ravayya Maa Intiki" | Kosaraju | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 6:06 |
| 8 | "Sakhi Sakuntala Rekkalu Dharinchi" | Sri Sri | Ghantasala, P. Susheela, Swarnalatha | 5:00 |

## Awards
### National Film Awards

* 1962: Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film in Telugu