Chantabbai is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language Investigation-comedy drama film written and directed by Jandhyala. It is based on the novel of same name by Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy. Produced by Jyothi Art Pictures, the film stars Chiranjeevi and Suhasini while Jaggayya and Mucherla Aruna play supporting roles. The film has music composed by K. Chakravarthy. Released on 22 August 1986, the film received critical acclaim and was commercially successful. In the novel, the climax is partially copied from the English-language novel The Fan Club by Irving Wallace. The film has acquired a cult status over the years.
Movie Poster
Jandhyala Subrahmanya Sastry, known mononymously by his surname Jandhyala, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, playwright, and actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He is popularly known as Hasya Brahma. In a career spanning more than two decades, he directed over 40 films and wrote the dialogue for more than 300 films. He won three state Nandi Awards one each for Best Director, Best Story Writer, and Best Dialogue Writer and one Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu. The Hindu referred to him as the 'King of Comedy in Tollywood'.
Jandhyala
Bronze bust of Jandhyala at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, Vijayawada