Thread by @SadaaShree

There are many things to explore in the movies of #KVishwanath but one thing I had always found fascinating is the women characters in his movies, strong, well written characters, and he bought the best out in every actress.
Thread.

And it started with one of his early movies Sharada, not that well known to many. The titular character played by Sharada herself, is a naive innocent village girl, married to a doctor played by Shoban Babu who unfortunately dies on the first night, in an accident.

She however believes her husband is still alive, and then meets his look alike, a pyschiatrist who comes to her village for a function. On her brother Madhava(Satyanarayana)'s request he agrees to act as her husband to help her mentally. A terrific performance by Sharada.

Another was Undamma Bottu Pedatha, where Jamuna once again delivers a superb performance, as the house wife who does her best to help her husband, Krishna.

Sarada once again, gave another great performance in Kaalam Marindi, as Shanti,a girl belonging to a lower caste who is in love with a Brahmin Srinivas(Shobanbabu) and how she strives to be accepted by his orthodox grandmother( Suryakantham in one of her best roles).

O Seetha Katha had a story that was quite bold for it's times. Rojaramani as a teenage girl, whose baava Chandram(Chandramohan) is killed by the jealous Gopalakrishna(Devdas Kanakala) who covets her. She goes ahead and marries his father to teach him a lesson. #KVishwanath

The movie was later remade by K.Balachander in Tamil as Moondru Mudichu with Sridevi, Rajnikanth as the villian and Kamal as the hero. #KVishwanath

Another memorable movie was Jeevana Jyothi, where Vanisree happily married to Shoban Babu, dotes a lot on her nephew, his brother Satyanarayana's son. However when the boy dies in an accident right in front of her eyes, she loses her mental balance. #KVishwanath

Great performance again by Vanisree in this role, as well as her daughter who comes to know of her mother later. It was remade in Hindi as Sanjog with Jeetendra, Jayaprada in the lead. #KVishwanath

Jayaprada gave two memorable performances with him, one was Siri Siri Muvva, where she plays a deaf and mute girl Hyma, son of a reputed dance teacher(Satyanarayana), ill treated by her step mother.
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When her father dies, she finds support in Samba(Chandramohan), a drummer who encourages her to dance. Once again Vishwanath gaaru so wonderfully depicts the relationship between the lead pair, which more than love is borne out of affection, and understanding for each other.

Of course Madhavi in Sagarasangamam would be one of the finest roles ever, a woman who encourages Balu(Kamal) to pursue his passion for dance, separated by destiny, widowed, and comes back again to help him out of his current state.

Madhavi in a sense is Balu's muse, he finds a purpose only with her guidance and support. The ending of Sagarasangamam is so poignant. The way Jayaprada transitions from a young woman to a widow trying to help Balu out is just brilliant. #KVishwanath

Another Vishwanath movie that had an equally strong female character was Seetamaalakshmi, which introduced Talluri Rameswari to the screen, as an innocent village girl aspiring to be an actress, supported by her lover Chandramohan. #KVishwanath

And finding the brutal reality of the movie world, when she becomes a star. One of his rather underappreciated movies, worth a watch. #KVishwanath

Tulasi in Shankarabharanam a devadasi, forced into prostitution by her mother, admires Shankara Shastri as a Guru. She kills a rich man who forces himself on her, when he insults her Guru, and finds refuge in his home.
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However when people began to talk loose about the bonding between them, she leaves the place. And later sends her son to study under Shankara Shastry who has now fallen on hard times. And she in turn supports him secretly. #KVishwanath

Manju Bhargavi who till then was known mostly for vamp, comedy roles, got noticed for her talent and dance with this. While Tulasi made her debut with Shankarabharanam as a child artiste. #KVishwanath

Saptapadi was one of his finest movies, Hema, bowing to her family wishes, marries a person to whom her heart does not really belong. And yet she speaks out through her silences, about her love Haribabu, who belongs to a lower caste. #KVishwanath

The way he takes the central character of Yajulu(Somayajulu) the family patriarch, and makes him question his own beliefs is just outstanding. The song Ye Kulamu Needante Gokulamu Navvindi so beautifully shows his dilemma. #KVishwanath

Subhalekha was a breakthrough for Sumalatha, till then mostly playing glamour roles, as a no nonense lecturer Sujatha who boldly questions dowry, standing up even to her parents. And her bonding with Narsimha Murthy( Chiru in one of his best performances ever) who supports her.

Sumalatha also got another great role in Sruthilayalu, as Seeta, who walks out on her husband, when he deivates from the goal he had set out on, and raises her son. She was equally good in a supporting role in Swayamkrishi. #KVishwanath

Lalitha in Swathimutyam, a widow, who gets married to Sivayya(Kamal), an innocent village bumpkin, and then stands up for him. One scene stands out in this movie, when Kamal is getting beaten up by his uncle for asking a share in the property. #KVishwanath

She takes the stick from his hand, looks at Kamal, and with just a nod of her head asks him to go. No dialogues here, just eyes speaking well. While Kamal's performance in this movie was brilliant, Radhika was equally outstanding and they both matched each other so well.

Sirivennela was another brilliant movie, though not a commercial success. The bonding between a mute painter and a blind flutist was bought out so sensitively, and this would be one of Suhasini's best ever performances. #KVishwanath

Vijayasanthi as Ganga in Swayamkrushi,a women who gives up on her own motherhood, for the child she dotes on dearly. And a source of support to Sambayya in his journey. The movie had one of Chiru's best performances, and Vijayashanti was equally brilliant.
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And Bhanupriya as Meenakshi in Swarnakamalam, a free spirited girl, who feels let down by her father's traditional outlook, and later understanding his thoughts. #KVishwanath

Way she transforms from a happy go lucky young girl, feeling constrained to a mature woman who understands her father's ideas, was brilliantly depicted by Bhanupriya. #KVishwanath

Meenakshi Seshadri as Hema in Apadhbandhavudu, daughter of a poet, who suppresses her love for Madhava, due to the caste and class differences. Unfortunately loses her mental balance, when her brother in law tries to rape her, and again is supported by Madhava. #KVishwanath

While I would not really rate this as one of Vishwanath Gaaru's best movies, it again had two great performances by Meenakshi Seshadri( a really talented actress who was not properly utilized) and Chiru in one of his best performances ever. #KVishwanath

Vishwanath Gaaru is no more, physically but he would live with us in all these movies and those memorable women characters he created in his movies. #KVishwanath

My article on the women in #KVishwanath gaaru's movies. Do check out.
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