Not all love stories have a happy ending is a lesson that cinema and life have taught us. Equally true is that not all love stories enrich our lives or offer us immense happiness; some deliver mostly just pain, draining every drop of joy from us. No matter how much success one finds in their professional life, even if one manages to become a widely celebrated film superstar, sidestepping life’s pitfalls is a skill not everyone masters. Had that been the case, the life of “Mahanati” Savitri may not have been cut short before she turned 50. One of the most celebrated female actors of her generation in the South, Savitri appeared in several critically and commercially successful films in her career, winning the hearts of audiences with her impactful performances. Ever since she was a child, she reportedly showed a flair for dance and began performing in plays as a schoolgirl. She started trying her luck in movies as a teenager itself. During a visit to Gemini Studios in Madras seeking acting opportunities, she …