To commemorate 100 years of Indian Cinema, we present documentary film on various doyen of Telugu film industry. This week we present a film on Legendary actor Suryakantham.

Suryakantam started as a dancer in Chandralekha, produced by the Gemini Studios. Thanks to the efforts of Leela Kumari, she got her first role as character artiste in Narada Naradi. But small roles did not satisfy the artiste insider her. She dreamt of going to Bombay (Mumbai) for better opportunities. When Gemini Studio makers failed to provide her roles other than a dancer, she quit her job. But her financial position would not permit her pursue her dream. Later, she got a good character artist role in the movie Gruhapravesam. Though, she got an opportunity to do the heroine's role in Soudamini, she did not do it. The heroine chance slipped away from her, when she met with a car accident (in which Suryakantam was hurt in the face). But she consolidated her position by playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in Samsaram. There was no looking back thereafter. The audience began to abuse her Suryakantam (of course her character). Once again, the most-wanted “heroine” role tapped her door from Bollywood. Knowing that the producer had dropped a heroine from his movie on personal grounds; and the same was given to her; Suryakantam rejected the offer, saying “I can’t live on the unhappiness of other artists.” Such was the integrity of Suryakantham, as an artist. Kodarikam lifted her to lofty heights. Ace directors of the era, B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not do a movie without Suryakantam. They had even produced a movie Gundamma Katha, starring N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S.V. Ranga Rao. The entire story would revolve around Suryakantam's role of Gundamma. Audience all over state wondered at the title. But when the movie released, it became a big hit. She has done great roles in Telugu industry as a mother-in-law character.

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