Samsaram Oka Chadarangam

Samsaram Oka Chadarangam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	S.P.Muthuraman
Produced by	M. Saravanan M. Balasubramanian
Written by	Ganesh Patro (dialogues)
Story by	Visu
Based on	Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986)
Starring	Gollapudi Maruthi Rao Sarath Babu Rajendra Prasad Suhasini
Music by	Chakravarthy
Cinematography	T.S. Vinayakam
Edited by	R. Vital C. Lancy
Production company	AVM Productions
Release date	14 January 1987 (1987-01-14)
Running time	156 mins
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (English: Family is One Chess Game) is a 1987 Telugu, drama film produced by M. Saravanan, M. Balasubramanian on AVM Productions banner and directed by S.P.Muthuraman marking the first Telugu film he had directed. Starring Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Sarath Babu, Rajendra Prasad, Suhasini in the lead roles and music composed by Chakravarthy. The film is remake of Tamil Movie Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986).

The film opens into the life of Appala Narsaih (Gollapudi Maruthi Rao), an ordinary middle-class man who makes a simple living as a Central Government clerk. His family, a typical South Indian joint family, includes his dutiful wife Godavari, his oldest son Prakash (Sarath Babu), a junior officer at Indian Oil, and his wife Uma (Suhasini), his second son Raghava (Rajendra Prasad), a factory worker, his youngest son Kaali Dasu (a never do good fellow who has failed his high school exams twice) and his daughter Sarojini (Kalpana). The modest income from his government job barely provides for his family's needs. His sons contribute some amounts in proportion to their incomes. The family gets by, but Appala Narsaih worries for the future. Raghava and Sarojini are not yet married, and Bharathi has a bleak future if he does not graduate high school. Sarojini is a particular worry; her beauty and charm are matched by her arrogance and contempt. She summarily rejects any marriage proposal, and her obstinate demeanor causes great concern to Appala Narsaih. Appala Narsaih nonetheless plows on through life hoping for solutions to his difficulties.

The community matchmaker brings Appala Narsaih a promising alliance. It is a good family. The groom is a junior officer at BHEL and his father owns a garment shop in the city. The meeting starts off well. But Sarojini, true to form, rejects the alliance and the groom's party abruptly leaves. Appala Narsaih visits them to apologize for the incident. The groom's father turns out to be an understanding and forward thinking man. Looking past Sarojini's immaturity and recognizing Appala Narsaih to be a good and honest man, he offers his daughter Vasantha as a prospective partner for Raghava. He declares, as a veiled insult, that his obedient daughter Vasantha will accept his decision. Not outdone, Appala Narsaih quickly accepts the claim that his son is similarly respectful of his wishes.