{{short description|1969 film by P. Sambasiva Rao}} {{Use British English|date=March 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox film | name = Ardharathiri | image = Ardharathiri poster.JPG | caption = Poster | director = P. Sambasiva Rao | writer = Aarudhra | producer = P. Gangadara Rao | starring = Jaggayya<br />Bharathi | cinematography = J. Sathyanarayana | editing = S. P. S. Veerappa | music = Master Venu | studio = Hyderabad Movies | released = {{Film date|1969|4|12|df=y}} | country = India | language = Telugu }}
'''''Ardharathiri''''' (''Midnight'') is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language thriller film written by Aarudhra and directed by P. Sambasiva Rao in his debut. Inspired by the Charlotte Brontë novel ''Jane Eyre'', the film stars Jaggayya and Bharathi. It was released on 12 April 1969 and became a commercial success.
== Plot == {{no plot|date=August 2021}}
== Cast == Adapted from ''The Hindu'':<ref name="thehindu" /> * Jaggayya as Sridhar * Bharathi as Sarala * V. Nagayya as Dharmarao * Mannava Balayya as Prasad * Ramana Reddy as Panakala Rao * Raavi Kondala Rao as Keshav * Radhika as Panakala Rao's daughter * Kalpana as Rani
== Production == P. Sambasiva Rao's desire to direct a thriller film arose after he read the Charlotte Brontë novel ''Jane Eyre''. He, Aarudhra and Polavarapu Srihari Rao then created the story of the film ''Ardharathiri'', taking inspiration from the novel while new characters and situations were created to suit the tastes of Telugu-speaking audience. As Sambasiva Rao put it, "In evolving the characters of Prasad and Keshav, traces of influence can be found in Emily Brontë's ''Wuthering Heights''". The film marked his directorial debut and was produced by P. Gangadara Rao under Hyderabad Movies. Cinematography was handled by J. Sathyanarayana and editing by S. P. S. Veerappa.<ref name="thehindu" />
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by Master Venu. The song "Ee Pilupu Nee Kosame" is based on "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" from the 1962 Hindi film ''Bees Saal Baad'' (1962).<ref name="thehindu" />
*"Ee Pilupu Ni Kosame" - P. Susheela (lyrics: Aarudra) *"Ee Oori Dhanni" - B.R. Latha (lyrics: Kosaraju) *"Egiri Poyina Chilu" - L.R. Eswari, Apparao Nagabhyru (lyrics: Aarudra) *"Kaipekkinche Kammani Reyi" - S. Janaki (lyrics: Dasaradhi) *"Oho Andamantha" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B. R. Latha (lyrics: Aarudra)
== Release and reception == ''Ardharathiri'' was released on 12 April 1969,<ref name="indiancine.ma">{{Cite web |title=Ardharathri |url=https://indiancine.ma/NFY/info |access-date=3 March 2019 |website=Indiancine.ma}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and became a commercial success.<ref name="thehindu" />
== References == <references>
<ref name="thehindu">{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=14 December 2018 |title=Ardharaathri (1968) |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/ardharaathri-1968/article25739932.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017094631/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/ardharaathri-1968/article25739932.ece |archive-date=17 October 2022}}</ref>
</references>
== External links == * {{IMDb title|0256609}}
Category:1969 Telugu-language films Category:1969 Indian films Category:1969 directorial debut films Category:1969 films Category:1969 thriller films Category:Indian thriller films Category:Films scored by Master Venu