Santosham

Santosham

Year: 2002

Runtime: 150 mins

Language: Telugu

Director: Dasaradh

RomanceDrama

Karthik, a wealthy architect living in Ooty, falls for Padhu. Though Padhu hesitates, her supportive cousin Bhanu urges her to accept his love. When Padhu tells her father Rama Chandraiah, he opposes and arranges another match. Defying him, Padhu elopes and marries Karthik. The couple relocate to New Zealand, where their son Lucky is born. Padhu later dies in an accident, and Karthik returns with Lucky, hoping to gain the family’s blessings at a forthcoming wedding.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Santosham yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Santosham (2002)

Trace every key event in Santosham (2002) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Karthik falls for Padhu in Ooty

Karthik, a wealthy architect living in Ooty, notices Padhu and falls in love with her. He begins pursuing her, hoping their romance will blossom despite differences.

Ooty
2

Padhu hesitates; Bhanu encourages

Padhu is hesitant to accept Karthik's love and questions his true nature. Bhanu, Padhu's younger cousin, encourages Padhu to follow her heart and supports the budding romance.

Ooty
3

Padhu confesses love; Ramachandrayya resents

Padhu finally reveals her love for Karthik, but Ramachandrayya reacts with anger and resists the match. He pressures her to marry the man he has chosen.

Padmavathi's family home
4

Padhu elopes with Karthik

Motivated by Bhanu's words, Padhu leaves a letter and elopes to marry Karthik. The couple begins their life together in defiance of her father's ban.

Padmavathi's home
5

Ramachandrayya cuts ties with Padhu

Ramachandrayya severs family ties with Padhu as punishment for eloping. The rift strains relationships within the family.

Ramachandrayya's home
6

Karthik and Padhu marry and move to New Zealand

Karthik and Padhu marry and relocate to New Zealand, where they start a family. They welcome a son named Lucky.

New Zealand
7

Padhu longs for her parents' blessings

Padhu eagerly wants to return to her parents and seek their blessings. She hopes to bridge the gap caused by the earlier estrangement.

New Zealand
8

Padhu dies in a car accident

Padhu dies in a car accident, sending shockwaves through Karthik and the family. Karthik faces life as a widower and must navigate his responsibilities alone.

New Zealand
9

The family debates inviting Karthik and Lucky

In Ramachandrayya's large joint family, some members think inviting Karthik and Lucky to a family marriage would give them a closer look at the boy. The plan stirs mixed reactions as bonds within the family are tested.

Ramachandrayya's home
10

Karthik visits; mixed responses

When Karthik visits Ramachandrayya's home, he receives a range of responses from relatives who are initially wary. Over time, he begins to win their trust through patience and goodwill.

Ramachandrayya's home
11

Ramachandrayya accepts Karthik as son-in-law

Ramachandrayya finally expresses repentance and accepts Karthik as his son-in-law. Karthik's patience helps the family move toward reconciliation.

Ramachandrayya's home
12

Bhanu loves Karthik; Pawan loves Bhanu

Bhanu, now a widow, realises she has feelings for Karthik. Her childhood friend Pawan is deeply in love with her, complicating the emotional landscape.

New Zealand
13

Karthik arranges Bhanu's engagement to Pawan

During visits to New Zealand, Bhanu grows closer to Karthik, but he decides to set up Pawan as Bhanu's fiancé to honor her happiness. Pawan agrees to the arrangement and supports Bhanu.

New Zealand
14

Karthik hesitates; pleas from family

Karthik wrestles with the idea of repeating the past by marrying Bhanu against her family's wishes. Ramachandrayya and Pawan urge him to reconsider so Bhanu can be happy.

15

Karthik and Bhanu marry

Ultimately, Karthik agrees to marry Bhanu, bringing the story to a hopeful conclusion. The film ends with Karthik and Bhanu's wedding, uniting the families in happiness.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:28

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Santosham

Don't stop at just watching — explore Santosham in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Santosham is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Santosham Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Santosham, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Santosham Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Santosham

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Santosham. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Santosham

Santosham Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Santosham that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Santosham Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Santosham

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Santosham: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Santosham

Similar Movies to Santosham

Discover movies like Santosham that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.