Annapurna Pictures

Manjal Mahimai (English: Power of Turmeric) is a 1959 Tamil language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri in the laed roles and music composed by Master Venu. The film is based on Aasapoorna Devi's Bengali novel Agni Pariksha which was first remade as Telugu movie Mangalya Balam (1958); both the movies are made simultaneously by same banner & director and some of the scenes & artists are same in both versions. It was later remade as Hindi movie Chhoti Si Mulaqat (1967) with slight changes, starring Uttam Kumar, Vyjayanthimala in pivotal roles

Lawyer Ganapathi and his wife Annapurna are the eldest members of a family. His brother Subbu and his wife Anusuya live in the village. The duo treats their cousin brother Gopu, who is an idealist, as their own sibling. Annapurna is a chronic patient so Gopu's wife Susheela takes care of the family. Jealous of the bonding between Annapurna and Susheela, Anusuya creates a rift between them. Gopu and Susheela move to the village. Gopu propounds cooperative farming and prospers.

When the minister of Palnadu opens the temple doors for all the castes in the kingdom, disputes arises in the kingdom leading to war.