Subhalekha

Narasimha Murthy works as a waiter at the Dolphin Hotel in Visakhapatnam, despite not passing his B.A. exams. He is depicted as a multi-talented, resourceful man whose charm helps him navigate a big-city life. This opening sets his humble job and latent potential for the story ahead.

Murthy forms a friendship with Sujatha, a lecturer at a college run by councilor Ankella Adiseshayya. Their early interactions are cordial and supportive, laying the groundwork for a deep bond. The relationship is framed against social expectations and propriety.

Adiseshayya and his elder son Mohan visit Sujatha’s home with a marriage proposal. Sujatha objects to the excessive dowry, sparking a heated argument about societal norms. The confrontation strains her family’s ties and invites social ostracism.

The dowry dispute triggers family tensions as Sujatha’s parents fear social stigma. Adiseshayya retaliates by dismissing Sujatha from her job at the college. Murthy’s supportive presence deepens, though it also triggers rumors about their relationship.

Murthy stands by Sujatha during the turmoil, offering emotional support. The two are misread as romantically involved by others, which compounds Sujatha’s personal turmoil. To avoid the scandal, she ultimately leaves her parental home.

At a felicitation ceremony, Murthy publicly challenges Adiseshayya’s authority. In retaliation, Adiseshayya sends goons to attack Murthy and ensures he loses his job. The confrontation intensifies the personal and social conflict between them.

Murthy takes Sujatha to Hyderabad seeking help from Rao, an acquaintance from the hotel. Rao, who holds a senior position at Allwyn, offers Sujatha a job and a potential new start. This marks a turning point as they leave behind immediate danger and begin anew.

Back home, Sujatha’s younger sister Lakshmi falls in love with Murali, Adiseshayya’s younger son. Murali threatens suicide to push for his father’s approval, and Adiseshayya reluctantly agrees due to limited dowry prospects. The engagement adds another layer of pressure around dowry and parental pride.

With Murali’s support, Lakshmi files a lawsuit against Adiseshayya to demand custody of her husband, arguing that the dowry paid for him should secure their married life. The legal move escalates the family conflict and challenges Adiseshayya’s authority. The courtroom and legal maneuvering highlight the social sting of dowry politics.

The story reaches a climax in Hyderabad just before Sujatha’s arranged marriage to Rao. Adiseshayya and his family, along with Sujatha’s parents, rush in to intervene and sway the outcome. Tensions peak as forces on both sides push for control over Sujatha’s future.

Adiseshayya is humbled by the mounting pressures and Sujatha ultimately marries Murthy according to her wishes. The marriage represents a rejection of dowry-driven arrangements and a turn toward personal choice. Family dynamics shift toward acceptance of the couple.

As a concluding twist, Adiseshayya returns home to discover that his elder son Mohan has married Murthy’s widowed cousin. The development signals a new set of bonds formed from upheaval and the reconfiguration of familial ties. It hints at a cautiously reconciled, altered family landscape.