Badi Panthulu

Raghava Rao (N. T. Rama Rao) a Nobel school teacher, leads a happy family life with his ideal wife Janaki (Anjali Devi), two sons, and a daughter. Raghava Rao is transferred to his native village as a headmaster where he notices the children are completely undisciplined. He struggles hard, makes them straight including an impish boy Ramu who becomes his admirer and designates their school as ideal. Eventually, Raghava Rao's presence becomes a hurdle to the trespasses of school committee president Papa Rao (Nagabhushanam), a fraudulent & wicked person. So, he sets fire to Raghava Rao's house when the school children unite together and built a house showing their adoration towards him. Years roll by, Raghava Rao's children Satyam (Rama Krishna), Venu (Krishnam Raju), Lakshmi (T. Padmini) grew up, for their education, Raghava Rao forcibly takes the loan from Papa Rao. But they are not fair, Satyam marries Papa Rao's daughter Shanthi (Jayanthi) and Venu marries a rich girl Jaya (Vijayalalitha) without their parents' knowledge. After that, Raghava Rao strives hard, makes the marriage arrangements with a guy Pichaiah (Raja Babu), son of a miser Panakalu (Allu Ramalingaiah) and for the expenses, hostages his house. During the time of marriage, Papa Rao lands and demands his debt, to keep up his honor Raghava Rao gives away the dowry amount. Learning it, Panakalu tries to stop the marriage, heretofore, it is completed. So, he takes a promissory note instead of dowry and does not allow the couple to live together. Now the Raghava Rao couple is left alone, moreover, he retires when they have no other alternative except to live with their children. But their ungrateful children split the couple and leaves the house for debts. Papa Rao brings it to auction when Ramu (Jaggayya) the old student of Raghava Rao purchases it. Meanwhile, the couple endures the separation, as well as horrible treatment from their children. Above Papa Rao reaches his daughter's house, attributes theft to Raghava Rao which he could not tolerate and leaves the place. On the other side, Janakamma also abuses from her daughter-in-law & her mother (Suryakantham), so, she too proceeds. Both of them meet at the railway station, by the time, Papa Rao gives a police complaint and Raghava Rao is arrested. Fortunately, there, Ramu appears as Police Officer who orders his men to take them to their village. Parallelly, Venu & Satyam realize their mistake, even Pichaiah teaches a lesson to his father, accompanies Lakshmi and all of them travel towards their parents. There, Raghava Rao couple is surprised to see themselves in their house where Ramu gifts it to his beloved teacher. At last, Raghava Rao's children also arrive and seek their pardon. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the reunion of the entire family.

• N. T. Rama Rao as Head Master Raghava Rao
• Anjali Devi as Janaki
• Krishnam Raju as Venu
• Ramakrishna as Satyam
• Jaggaiah as Ramu
• Nagabhushanam as Papa Rao
• Allu Ramalingaiah as Paanakalu
• Raja Babu as Pichchayya
• Mikkilineni
• Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah as Doctor
• Raavi Kondala Rao as Kantayya
• Suryakantham as Rajamma
• Sowcar Janaki as Radha
• Vijayalalitha as Jaya
• Jayanthi as Shanti
• Radha Kumari as Paankalu's wife
• T. Padmini as Lakshmi
• Master Adinarayana as Young Ramu
• Baby Sridevi as Raghava Rao's grand-daughter

• Art: S. Krishna Rao
• Choreography: Heeralal, Pasumarti, Venu Gopal Rao
• Dialogues: D. V. Narasa Raju
• Lyrics: C. Narayana Reddy, Dasaradhi, Acharya Aatreya, Aarudhra
• Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, SP Balu
• Music: K. V. Mahadevan
• Story: Sirvaadkar
• Editing: V. Anki Reddy
• Cinematography: K. S. Prasad
• Producer: P. Perraju
• Screenplay - Director: P. Chandrasekhara Reddy
• Banner: Triveni Productions
• Release Date: 23 November 1972

Music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Music released on Audio Company.

• Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) for his portrayal of an aged school teacher in 1972.

• Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao's career was in the doldrums during the making of this film with him facing a series of flops (in 1971). This role and film gave him a fresh lease on life. His performance was acclaimed by everyone including the critics. The film was a commercial success celebrating 100 days in 3 centres. N. T. Rama Rao created history later on with all-time blockbusters like Adavi Ramudu (1977 film), Yamagola, Daana Veera Soora Karna, Driver Ramudu, Vetagaadu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chowdary, Sardar Papa Rayudu and Bobbili Puli. This is the first film of popular Indian actress Sridevi, who played the role of NTR's granddaughter. Sridevi would later go on to star as the lead heroine alongside NTR in his later films.[1]

• Badi Panthulu on IMDb