Addala Meda (1981)

Evocative and provocative, this dramatic tale incisively investigates into sensitive social issues, like rape and gender roles in Indian society. Mohan and Saroja are successful actors, who love each other. However, they are afraid of how their families and the public will judge their relationship, and consequently are forced to keep their relationship hidden.

Saroja may be a famous and wealthy actress in the outside world, but her family is oppressive and abusive. Her elder brother is of the opinion that since they have spent money to bring her up, they own her, that she is their slave and should only act as per their instruction.

However, Saroja and Mohan take the bold step of getting secretly married at the registrar's office and plan their honeymoon during shooting. In an unexpected turn of events, the director comes to know about their affair, and although he is initially shocked, when the full truth is revealed, he supports their decision and encourages them to go public.

The director is a wise and empathetic man who supports and guides many within the film industry, and unfailingly stands by them in their time of need. While shooting in a quaint village, he meets Lakshmi, a naive and innocent young woman. He offers Lakshmi an opportunity to act in the movies, and she is interested, but her elder brother is violently against this move.

Lakshmi decides to go out in the night, against her family's wishes, and ends up getting raped. The villagers jump to the conclusion that her rapist must be the director and he accepts the punishment without complaint. Is he really the rapist? How will Lakshmi's future unfold?