# Samsaram Oka Chadarangam

Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (transl. Family, a chess game) is a 1987 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by M. Saravanan and M. Balasubramanian of AVM Productions and directed by S. P. Muthuraman. The film stars Sarath Babu, Suhasini, Shavukaru Janaki, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao and Rajendra Prasad, with music composed by Chakravarthy. It is a remake of the studio's own Tamil film Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986). The film won three Nandi Awards.

## Plot

The film begins with a bourgeoisie family, its paterfamilias Appala Narsayya, a simple clerk. He resides with his benevolent wife, Godavari, and their four progeny: Prakash, a junior officer; Raghava, a mechanic; Sarojini, a vainglory, a steno; & Kalidasu, a futile who frequently fails 10th examinations. Above all, the brave maid Chilakamma is in the longtime household and amicably mingles with them. Prakash is calculative & tight-fisted in nature who counts every penny and feels that spending on his joint family is a burden. He knits a generous Uma who receives tunes of affection from everyone.
Once a marriage broker, Neelakantham arranges Sarojini's matchmaking with the promising alliance with a garment shop owner, Jaganatham's son. He approaches with his son Eeswar Rao & daughter Vasantha, but Sarojini denies it because of her conceit, which makes the bridegroom party quit. The next day, Appala Narsayya sets foot to apologize to Jaganatham. Consequently, Jaganatham forwards Raghava & Vasantha's bridal connections by igniting a spark for Appala Narsayya that Vasantha will always accept his decision. Appala Narsayya instantly approves it to be outdone by his credence on Raghava. After reaching home, Sarojini affirms her option to knit a Catholic Peter Samuel—an unthinkable notion for Appala Narsayya & Godavari. Despite this, Appala Narsayya acquits Peter's father, Edmund Samuel, who meekly provides his assent. However, Prakash opposes it to avoid unnecessary expenses, but Uma sways him, and the two weddings take place.
Afterward, Uma conceives and walks to her nucleus for delivery. As a glimpse, Kaalidasu gets into an infatuation with a mate, Meena. She arrives from Bombay on her father's transfer and mocks at Kaalidasu as a silly fellow. Today, a rift arises between Raghava & Vasantha since she is tutoring Kaalidas, obstructing their marital life. Sarojini constantly mortifies her father-in-law, but he tolerates it, accepting her belligerence, whom Peter rebukes. The two quit their in-laws' apartment when Jaganatham tells her to return as he accomplishes her responsibility soon after the conjugial. Raghava also advances to revive her, and Vasantha goes with him. Whereat, Raghava confirms that she should wait until Kaalidasu completes his education—additionally, Sarojini clarifies to remain away from Peter so long as he crawls back to get her.
Following this, a chaotic upheaval arises, which splits the family by Prakash. He reduces his monthly contribution due to Uma's absence; when Appala Narasayya speaks, a debate arises between father & son, which leads to a big fight. He recollects Prakash, saying that he strived for his upbringing and education without a mathematical formula, but Prakash disputes these claims. Appala Narsayya disowns and expels Prakash but refuses to leave until his father clears the loans for Sarojini's espousal. Devastated, Appala Narsayya mandates to draw a line midway through the house by banishing Prakash and forbids everyone from speaking to him. From there, Appala Narasayya performs various side hustles by taking voluntary retirement and strikes day & night to pay that price. Raghava rejects it with an assurance of a refund. However, Appala Narasayya is stubborn as he does not have the strength to be a fool one more time.
Meanwhile, Uma is back with the newborn boy, crashes by knowing the plight, getting an unwelcome reception from the family. Hence, she works with Chilakamma & Godavari to fix these troubles and restore harmony. Uma starts her game by visiting Edmund Samuel, who reaches Appala Narsayya's residence and squabbles with Chilakamma, bringing divorce papers. It shakes Sarojini, but Chilakamma & Godavari compel her to sign the papers. Edmund Samuel completes the charade by inviting Sarojini to Peter's upcoming wedding, enlightening her, and remorsefully pardoning Peter & his father. Secondly, Uma attempts to reconcile Raghava & Vasantha, who gently rebukes him at the workplace and requests him to attend to his wife's needs. Accordingly, he plans a honeymoon. Tragically, Vasantha afflicts smallpox therein when she comprehends the actual meaning of martial life. Kaalidasu triumphs in his exams. In that joy, he walks to propose to Meena, but she returns Bombay heckling, which breaks him down.
Eventually, Uma has mixed feelings: she is glad the trouble is reducing but perturbed because the family is still not speaking with her compliance with Appala Narsayya's word. At one time, Godavari must go beyond her husband's ordinance to shield ailing Uma. Spotting it, Appala Narasayya declares her dead and commands not to speak with him. The same night, he boozes being wrecked and bursts out his grief. Now, Uma tackles the raging conflict between Prakash & Appala Narsayya by exceeding her husband's expenses and making him discern that having a joint family is better. Appala Narasayya remits the funds and commands the Prakash family to quit. Then, he regretfully implores pardon to reunite him with them, which Appala Narasayya declines. Thereupon, Chilakamma reminds him that his family is all he has and that he should consider his legacy, not his adversaries. At last, Appala Narasayya welcomes Prakash back, but Uma bars him just before crossing the line, proclaiming that shattered souls never fasten. She had done this plan to conjoin the people, not the family. It is suitable for everyone who moves out, being cordial and promising to meet on weekends. At last, Prakash & Uma start living separately and regularly visit Appala Narasayya's house. Finally, the movie ends happily.

## Cast

* Sarath Babu as Prakash
* Suhasini as Uma
* Sowcar Janaki as Chilakamma
* Gollapudi Maruthi Rao as Appala Narsayya
* Nutan Prasad as Edmund Samuel
* Rajendra Prasad as Raghava
* Hema Sundar as Jagannatham
* Master Haja Sheriff as Kalidasu
* Dilip as Peter
* Juttu Narasimham as Neelakantham
* Potti Veerayya as Washerman
* Karthik
* Nagabhushan Rao
* Moorthy
* Krishna Chaitanya
* Annapoorna as Godavari
* Mucherla Aruna as Vasantha
* Kalpana as Sarojani
* Lalitha Sarma
* C. H. Vijaya

## Soundtrack

Music composed by Chakravarthy. Lyrics were written by Veturi.
| Song Title | Singers | length |
| "Samsaram Oka Chadarangam" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 8:16 |
| "Jaanki Ramula Kalyanam" | P. Susheela | 4:20 |
| "Siri Ke Simantamanta" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela | 4:10 |
| "Laali Jo Jo" | P. Susheela | 4:28 |
| "Jagame Maya" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:05 |

## Accolades
### Nandi Awards

* Best Story Writer – Visu
* Best Supporting Actress – Sowcar Janaki
* Best Child Actor – Master Sravan Kumar