Thiladaanam (The Rite... A Passion) is a 2000 Indian Telugu-language drama film, written, and directed by film-critic K. N. T. Sastry in his debut directorial, based on the story by Rentala Nageswara Rao. The film features H. G. Dattatreya, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, and Jaya Seal in pivotal roles.

Plot

Subbaiah is an outcast Brahmin priest living out of Tiladaanam ( a Hindu ritual of giving sesame seeds as alms, which transfers the giver's sins to the receiver), the meanest form of Brahmin duty. He ekes out his living in Hyderabad, by becoming a corpse-carrier, and carrying out funeral rites. His son is a Naxalite, and his daughter-in-law, Padma, is living with him. His son Raghuram, makes a clandestine visit home during his child's birth. In search of Raghuram the anti-Naxalite team ransack Subhaiah's house. However, Raghuram escapes the police firing, killing a cop in the process. Raghuram surrenders to the cops so that his family can make a living with the government compensation. Shocked by his surrender Subbaiah dies of the trauma, while Padma awaits in vain for the compensation.