# Pelli Pustakam (1991 film)

Pelli Pustakam (transl. The Marriage Book) is a 1991 Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by Bapu. The film was produced and co-written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. It stars Rajendra Prasad and Divyavani with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film won three Nandi Awards, and was premiered in Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India.

## Plot

The film begins with a matchmaking of a pair, K. Krishna Murthy / KK & Satyabhama / Bhama, who perfectly understand their hardships and responsibilities in their private talks. Bhama has to pay her mother's debt dowry amount ₹20,000 (US$230) to her vicious brother-in-law; if not, he threatens to slay his wife. KK is responsible for his sister's nuptials. KK tactically knits Bhama without dowry here because of his endearment to her. The marriage takes place grandly, proclaiming its eminence. Due to hard luck, KK's job as an art director at Bombay & Bhama is a stenographer at Kochin, they tolerate separation for their obligations. Besides, Sridhar Rao, a tycoon, established a textile company where the two spotted occupations had high salaries. The delightful couple advances, but unfortunately, Sridhar Rao announces that he will provide the job only to one family member. So, KK & Bhama decide to get back when they learn that KK's sibling is terminally ill and will have surgery soon, which requires ₹20,000 (US$230). To deal with their challenges, KK & Bhama gain posts at Sridhar Rao with a phony story that KK is a bachelor and Bhama is the only breadwinner of her family whose husband is paralyzed.
Sridhar Rao leads a happy life with his wife & daughter Vasundhara / Vasu, a naughty girl. He delegates business charges to Vasu, where she acquits with KK and appreciates his charm & frankness. This forces Bhama to envy & lament at home, which KK consoles, affirming as part of his profession. Sridhar Rao's amoral brother-in-law, Giri, lusts for Bhama and vexes her, which grudges KK. On Bhama's birthday, KK promises to gift a saree he designed, which Vasu snatches. Like this, KK & Vasu intimacy hikes ignite Bhama. Once, the whole staff proceeds to picnic, where they sing, laugh, & dance. Then, Giri intrigues by appointing Bhama as Vasu's dance teacher and accommodates her in their outhouse. Following this, Vasu forwards to KK to learn art on weekends when the couple plays the juggles. Bhama, currently known via their Manager, said that the elders fixed Vasu's alliance with her cousin Seshu, who is not ready to return from abroad. If so, KK can knit Vasu. Indeed, Vasu pretends to be fascinated by KK for retrieving Seshu, and KK also plays a game to ensure job security.
Unbeknownst to it, Bhama's anger turns into suspicion. At a time, Giri takes Bhama's snaps and orders KK to design through them, which he adamantly rejects. Thus, furious Giri hurts him when Bhama cannot stand up and attends to him weeping. Here, Giri suspects something fishy and blackmails Bhama to fulfill his urge. Eventually, Seshu lands, which relaxes KK, and they all move to a Christmas party. The same night, Bhama trickily calls Giri and red-handedly embodies him before Sridhar Rao's wife. Yet, she fails in resilience and walks out to home. Therein, she views KK & Vasu driving back from the midnight party and their intense tightness. Hence, Bhama misconstrues that her husband is betraying her, makes a big fuss, and declares to break their secret by tomorrow. The next day, KK humbly pleads with Bhama to hold her since it is the 60th anniversary, i.e., "Sashtipurthi," of the Sridhar Rao couple, and they bestow a bonus. He convinces her that money is essential to both immediately and forges a soap actor, Krishnaji, as her husband. On the eve, the Sridhar Rao's couple explains the dignity of the marriage while a transformation occurs in Bhama. She also hears Seshu & Vasu's conversation, comprehends KK's virtue, and rushes remorsefully. KK slides her, and while receiving the presents after the ritual, Bhama outbursts as if unable to feel the agony. Whereat, KK catches & comforts Bhama, proclaiming he had done this to purify her heart and there would be no more obstacles between them. At last, the two seek forgiveness from Sridhar Rao, who compensates with ₹100,000 (US$1,200) accepting it is his error. Finally, the movie ends happily with KK & Bhama continuing their martial life.

## Cast

* Rajendra Prasad as K. Krishna Murthy / KK
* Divyavani as Satyabhama / Bhama
* Sindhuja as Vasundhara / Vasu
* Gummadi as Sridhar Rao
* Subhalekha Sudhakar as Giri Babu
* Sakshi Ranga Rao as KK's father
* Raavi Kondala Rao as Babai
* Ananth as Co-Employee
* Ashok Kumar as Keemoji / Krishnaji
* Dharmavarapu Subramanyam
* Radha Kumari as Bhama's mother
* Jhansi as Vasundhara's mother

## Production

This film has a resemblance to the 1955 classic film Missamma.

## Music

Music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Lyrics were written by Arudra, except for the traditional Carnatic compositions Krishnam Kalaya Sakhi and Jagadanandakaraka, by Sri Narayana Teertha and Tyagaraja respectively. Music released on AKASH Audio Company.

## Awards
### Nandi Awards

* Second Best Feature Film - Silver - Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
* Best Dialogue Writer - Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
* Best Story Writer - Raavi Kondala Rao