Oka Oori Katha


Oka Oori Katha is a 1977 Indian Telugu-Language drama film directed by Mrinal Sen. The Pan-Indian film is based on the story Kafan by Munshi Premchand. The film was one of the Indian entries at the 4th Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film won Special Awards at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and Carthage Film Festival. It was showcased in the Indian Panorama section of the 1978 International Film Festival of India.
The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 25th National Film Awards, "for successfully transforming Premchand's story "Kafan" into a scathing commentary on rural destitution and social injustice; for projecting through powerful performances of its leading characters, the degradation and brutalisation of human beings, for its sincere commitment to the cause of the downtrodden; for its fervent impassioned appeal to the conscience of humanity" as cited by the Jury.

The plot

Venkaiah and his son Kistaiah live in a village. Venkaiah lives in a queer world of his own. They have learnt to conquer hunger and are mentally strong. They consider that the poor farmers are fools to work for the rich and suffer. Kistaiah wants to marry Nilamma. The father does not like the marriage. Kistaiah refuses and marries Nilamma.
Nilamma tries to control the family. Venkaiah does not change. Kistaiah stands between them. There is bitterness in the family. In course of time, Nilamma conceives. One day, they find Nilamma in acute pain. The father refuses to call a midwife and Nilamma dies. They decide to conduct funeral rites for Nilamma. They go begging around the village and gather some money and decide to spend it on drinks.

Credits

Cast

;National Film Awards
;Nandi Awards
;International Honors