Edida Raja says Bharathiraja changed 'Seethakoka Chiluka' climax after father’s suggestion

Producer Edida Raja has recalled how filmmaker Bharathiraja changed the climax of 'Seethakoka Chiluka' after a suggestion from his father, late producer Edida Nageswara Rao. The 1981 Telugu film, produced by Poornodaya Creations, became one of Bharathiraja’s most celebrated works in Telugu cinema. Raja said the original ending was tragic, but his father felt the love story needed a hopeful finish because it dealt with an inter-caste relationship.In an exclusive interview with Cinema Express, Edida Raja said Bharathiraja accepted his father’s suggestion and reshot the climax. “The original climax ended on a tragic note, and those scenes had already been shot. However, my father suggested that the ending should be changed to a happy one,” he said.Raja added that his father wanted the film to send a positive message. “He felt that since the story revolved around two people from different castes falling in love and getting married, the film should encourage such relationships and end on a positive note. Bharathiraja garu liked the suggestion and agreed to reshoot the climax with a happy ending,” he recalled.The film later became a major success and won the National Award for Best Telugu Film, the Nandi Award, and several other honors. Raja said the film remains one of the most memorable titles produced by Poornodaya Creations.Raja also spoke about how the project began. He said Vamsi, who worked as an assistant director at Poornodaya Creations, suggested that his father watch Bharathiraja’s debut film '16 Vayathinile' and consider working with him.“Our production house had just delivered the sensational blockbuster 'Shankarabharanam', which was completely music-oriented. We approached Bharathiraja garu, and that is how 'Seethakoka Chiluka' came into existence,” Raja said.He also clarified that 'Seethakoka Chiluka' was not a remake. Bharathiraja shot the Telugu version separately along with the Tamil version, 'Alaigal Oivathillai'. Raja said Bharathiraja’s passing is a major loss to Indian cinema.