Hyderabad: A Familiar Face on Metro Pillars
An auto driver named L Venu, who frequently navigates the busy roads of Hyderabad, recently noticed something unusual during his daily commute. He spotted a poster of a woman in a green saree displayed on every metro pillar along his route. At first, he dismissed it as just another advertisement. But over time, the features of the woman began to intrigue him—they seemed oddly familiar. One day, curious to uncover the mystery, Venu stopped to take a closer look but couldn’t quite place where he had seen her before.
On Monday afternoon, while driving a passenger from Punjagutta to HITEC City, Venu once again noticed the poster from a distance. This time, the realization struck him—he recognized the woman as Savitri, the iconic Telugu actress. The poster identified her as “Telangana Thalli,” written prominently in Telugu.
Savitri is a household name in Telugu cinema, celebrated for her exceptional performances and timeless roles. Venu isn’t the only one who has been reminded of her. Many others in Hyderabad have also drawn parallels between the poster and the legendary actress.
C Sravanthi, an IT professional working in Madhapur, was quick to spot the resemblance. She connected the image to a specific scene from the 1965 Telugu film Devatha and its song “Aalayana Velasina.” The song, which depicts Savitri performing daily household tasks, highlights the role of women in the home. “The facial features in the song strongly resemble those in the Telangana Thalli poster,” Sravanthi explained.
Similarly, R Sastri, an income tax consultant, agreed that the woman in the poster bears an uncanny resemblance to Savitri. “Even from a distance, there’s no doubt — it reminds you of her,” he said confidently.
Anuradha, a senior secondary school teacher from Ashok Nagar, shared her own memories of Savitri. She recalled seeing the actress’s film posters everywhere during her school days. “My family has always cherished old Telugu films, and Savitri was a favorite. From classics like Gundamma Katha and Dr Chakravarthi, her facial expressions and grace left a lasting impression. The poster of Telangana Thalli definitely brings back those memories,” Anuradha said.
For many, the resemblance between Savitri and Telangana Thalli has sparked nostalgia, connecting them to a golden era of Telugu cinema. The poster, intended to symbolize the cultural pride of Telangana, has also become a reminder of one of the most beloved actresses in Telugu film history.
