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Santhi Nivasam (TV series)

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Santhi Nivasam
Genre
Story byS. S. Rajamouli[1]
Chaitanya
Dialogues by
Directed byS. S. Rajamouli
Vara Mullapudi
StarringRanganath
Sameer
Rajeev Kanakala
Telangana Sakunthala
Country of originIndia
Original languageTelugu
No. of episodes273
Production
CinematographyKunapareddy Srinivas
EditorHemanth
Running time18–24 minutes
Production companyRK Teleshow[2]
Original release
NetworkETV
Release2000 (2000) –
2001 (2001)

Santhi Nivasam is an Indian Telugu-language television drama series that aired on ETV from 2000 to 2001, spanning 273 episodes. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli in his directorial debut, the series follows Raghavayya, the patriarch of a large family living in a house named Santhi Nivasam, as they navigate familial conflicts, relationships, and societal challenges.[3] Produced by K. Raghavendra Rao under his banner RK Teleshow,[4][5] the series played a key role in shaping Rajamouli's career, laying the foundation for his transition to feature films.[4][6]

The show featured an ensemble cast, including Ranganath, Sameer, Rajeev Kanakala, and Harsha Vardhan, with music composed by M. M. Srilekha and lyrics by Chandrabose. After Rajamouli transitioned to directing Student No. 1 (2001), Vara Mullapudi took over the direction of the series.[7] The show was well-received during its broadcast and is regarded as an early success in Rajamouli's career.[4][6] Although plans for a film adaptation were announced, the project was ultimately shelved.

Plot

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The series follows Raghavayya, the patriarch of a large family living in a house named Santhi Nivasam. The narrative explores the complexities of familial relationships and the challenges faced by the family, including thefts, misunderstandings, and interpersonal conflicts. Raghavayya strives to maintain harmony within the household while upholding moral values, but the family frequently encounters dramatic twists and societal pressures.

Central to the story are Raghavayya's children—Anand, Adarsh, and Anu—who, along with other family members, navigate personal struggles and collective conflicts. Notable events include Adarsh risking his life to save Anand, Dharma Das plotting to harm the family, and Raghavayya confronting financial and social challenges. The series delves into themes of sacrifice, morality, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Production

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Santhi Nivasam was directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who dedicated approximately one and a half years to the project, working up to 17 hours a day. Rajamouli later described this period as one of the most challenging of his career, during which he gained a reputation as a "workaholic."[10][11] This project marked Rajamouli's first directorial credit, with his name appearing on screen for the first time in Santhi Nivasam.[12]

The series was produced by K. Raghavendra Rao for ETV, which was headed by Ramoji Rao. Rajamouli worked under the mentorship of K. Raghavendra Rao, who oversaw the story, screenplay, and direction. Vara Mullapudi, son of noted writer Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, joined the team during production, collaborating closely with Rajamouli and Raghavendra Rao.[7]

A notable incident during filming involved a disagreement between Rajamouli and lead actor Ranganath over a particular scene. The issue was resolved amicably, with Ranganath later acknowledging Rajamouli's potential as a filmmaker.[13]

Music

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The music for Santhi Nivasam was composed by M. M. Srilekha,[14] with lyrics written by Chandrabose.[1] The songs were sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and M. M. Srilekha.[1]

Planned adaptation

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The final episode of Santhi Nivasam (episode 273) announced plans for a feature film adaptation, produced by Usha Kiran Movies.[15]

In March 2002, reports confirmed that the television series would be remade into a film, marking a unique instance in Telugu cinema where a TV serial was adapted for the big screen.[16] The film adaptation was set to feature the original cast and crew, including actors Ranganath, Sameer, Harsha Vardhan, Rajeev Kanakala, L. Jhansi, and S. Sravani, who had all appeared in the television series.[16] To expedite the project, two units were reported to be working simultaneously on the film from April 1 to April 19, 2002, with plans to complete shooting by April 19. The adaptation was to be jointly directed by Sunil Varma and V. S. Reddy, with music composed by M. M. Srilekha. The story, screenplay, and direction supervision were to be provided by K. Raghavendra Rao, with Ramoji Rao serving as the producer.[16]

However, despite these efforts, the film adaptation ultimately did not materialize.

Legacy

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Santhi Nivasam is remembered as a stepping stone in the career of S. S. Rajamouli, providing him an opportunity to develop his directorial skills under the mentorship of K. Raghavendra Rao.[4] The success of the show played a crucial role in his transition to feature films. His debut film, Student No. 1 (2001), featured several actors from the serial, including Rajeev Kanakala, Sameer, Sivannarayana Naripeddi, and Chatrapathi Sekhar,[9] further linking the two projects.[11] In the Netflix documentary series Modern Masters: S. S. Rajamouli (2024), the director reflected on his work in Santhi Nivasam and credited the experience with shaping his storytelling skills and building his confidence for feature filmmaking.[4]

The serial also earned Rajamouli the nickname "Jakkanna." Actor Rajeev Kanakala, who worked with him on Santhi Nivasam, likened his meticulous approach to directing to that of the legendary c.12th-century sculptor Jakanachari (known as Jakkanna in Telugu). This comparison led the cast and crew to affectionately call him "Jakkanna," a name that has since become synonymous with the director.[17][18]

In later interviews, Rajamouli acknowledged the success of Santhi Nivasam but expressed dissatisfaction with his direction, attributing its popularity to its prime time slot and association with established filmmakers rather than to its creative merits. Comparing it to other contemporary serials like Pinni and Kasthuri, he remarked that Santhi Nivasam was a weaker effort.[19] Despite this, the series remains an important milestone in his early career and contributed significantly to his storytelling approach.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d శాంతి నివాసం సీరియల్ టైటిల్ సాంగ్ | Santhi Nivasam Serial Title Song. Nee Tv Telugu – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Sarkaaru Naukari teaser released at the RK Tele Show 25th Anniversary event". Idlebrain.com. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Telugu TV Serial Santhi Nivasam". Nettv4u. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Menon, Arjun (2 August 2024). "Modern Masters: S S Rajamouli Review: Intimate Portrait of A Visionary". Rediff.com. Retrieved 22 November 2024. It tries to trace his origins as a television director with the highly popular television serial Santhi Nivasam under the tutelage of legendary Telugu director K Raghavendra Rao. The director, who helmed many episodes of the show, does not shy away from acknowledging the importance of that television experience, in equipping his confidence as a storyteller and bringing him closer to his dream of making it on the big screen.
  5. ^ "Happy Birthday SS Rajamouli: 10 lesser known facts about Baahubali director". The Indian Express. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b "25 Glorious Years Of Raghavendra Rao's RK Teleshow: Journey From Rajamouli's Shanthi Nivasam To Sarkaaru Noukari". Telugu Filmnagar. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Interview with Vara Mullapudi". Idlebrain.com. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  8. ^ Goud, Nagaraj (7 February 2017). "I want to prove myself as a storyteller: Harsha Vardhan". The Hans India. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Interview with Chandra Sekhar". Idlebrain.com. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2024. One day he told me whether I was interested in doing a role in his proposed TV serial (Santhi Nivasam). I told him I was ready to do any character. I played the role alongside Rajiv Kanakala.
  10. ^ "Interview with SS Rajamouli by Jeevi – Chatrapathi". Idlebrain.com. 22 September 2005. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Gundabatthuni, Rajasekhar (8 June 2024). "దర్శకధీరుడు రాజమౌళికి మొదటి అవకాశం ఇచ్చింది రామోజీరావే అని తెలుసా?". ABP Group (in Telugu). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  12. ^ "ETV rejoices 25 years of successful operations, wishes pour in". ETV Bharat News. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  13. ^ "When Rajamouli had a clash with actor Ranganath". The Hans India. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Musician MM Srilekha set for a world tour; poster unveiled by SS Rajamouli". Telangana Today. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  15. ^ Santhi Nivasam - Episode -273. ETV. Event occurs at 24:18 to 24:36. Retrieved 22 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ a b c "News Today: 'Santhi Nivasam' as feature film". Idlebrain.com. 29 March 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Secret Behind Jakkanna Name For Rajamouli". Sakshi. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  18. ^ Why Director SS Rajamouli Called As Jakkanna | Actor Rajiv Kanakala Answer |, TV5 News, 9 August 2015, archived from the original on 30 June 2022
  19. ^ "తనపై తానే సెటైర్లు వేసుకున్న జక్కన్న.. వాటితో పోలిస్తే వేస్ట్ అంటూ?". Filmy Focus (in Telugu). 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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