Mala Pilla
Mala Pilla or Malapilla (English: Girl from Mala caste) is a 1938 Indian Telugu-language social problem film directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam and written by Tapi Dharma Rao. The film was produced by Raja of Challapalli, Yarladadda Sivarama Prasad on Sarathi Films banner. It featured Kanchanamala in the title role with Gali Venkateswara Rao, Govindarajula Subba Rao, P. Suribabu, Sundaramma in other prominent roles. It is a social drama depicting the love story between a Brahmin boy and a Dalit girl. The film dealt with themes like untouchability, taboo on entry into temples for Dalits, Gandhism, and nationalism in pre-independent India. The film was dedicated to the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma who had passed a law allowing members of all castes to enter temples. Malapilla was released in a record 12 centres on September 25, 1938, and was a big hit. On its release, the film caused a sensation, rejecting the stage-derived mythological genre dominating Telugu cinema in the 1930s. The film's success kindled interest in other Telugu filmmakers to make films based on social themes. Malapilla was also the 50th talkie film made in Telugu cinema. Plot 
Inspired by Gandhi, Radhabayamma (Hemalatha Devi) launches Harijan movement in Kalyanapuram village much to the chagrin of the orthodox Brahmin community and the upper castes. When Dalits try to enter the temple, the trustee Sundara Ramasastry (Govindarajula Subbarao) stops them. His son Nagaraju (Gali Venkateswara Rao), a photographer falls in love with Sampalatha. Chowdharayya (P. Suribabu), a Gandhian, makes a futile attempt to bring a compromise between the upper castes and the Dalits. Nagaraju and Sampalatha elope to Calcutta where he finds a job. Anasuya (Sundaramma) Sampalatha's sister accompanies them. Nagaraju educates Sampalatha. In the village, Chowdharayya leads a non-violent movement by Dalits against the upper castes. Dalits save Sundara Ramasastry's wife from a fire accident and Sastry is a changed man now agreeing to allow harijans into the temple. With his father's blessings, Nagaraju marries Sampalatha. 