[4] The film dealt with themes like untouchability, taboos on entry into temples for Dalits, Gandhism, and nationalism in pre-independent India.
[2][5][6] The film was dedicated to the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, who had passed a law allowing members of all castes to enter temples.
[6] Inspired by Gandhi, Radhabayamma (Hemalatha Devi) launches the Harijan movement in Kalyanapuram village, much to the chagrin of the orthodox Brahmin community and the upper castes.
Dalits save Sundara Ramasastry's wife from a fire accident, and Sastry is a changed man, now agreeing to allow harijans into the temple.
Source:[6] The village girl Sampalatha's character in Malapilla based on Gudipaati Venkata Chalam's unpublished novelette.
But her performance as an illiterate downtrodden village belle in the first half and as the literate modern city woman in the later portions was commended [6] Dr. Govindarajula Subbarao, a veteran stage actor and a popular LMP doctor from Tenali was cast for the role of the antagonist Sundara Ramasastry.
[6] The film was dedicated to the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma who had passed a law allowing members of all castes to enter temples.
Ramabrahmam took three of Basavaraju Apparao's by then popular lyrics – Kollayi gattithe nemi, Nallavaade Gollapillavaade, and Aa mabbu…ee mabbu.