Panduranga Mahatyam

Panduranga Mahatyam is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Pundarika, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi and B. Saroja Devi (in her Telugu debut) with music composed by T. V. Raju. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Dheivam (1959) and it was again remade as the Telugu film Pandurangadu (2008).

Plot
The film begins with Vritra a Rakshasa conducting a tremendous penance for Siva and frightened Indra, creating several obstacles but in vain. So, he is slain by Indra when enraged Vritra curses him to turn into a stone. Ergo, Siva appears and proclaims that when Vishnu launches at Chandrabhaga river, he will be emancipated. Now, the tail shifts to Pundarika, a tomcat that perturbs his parents, Jahnavi Sastry & Lakshmi, who create havoc in town. Plus, he entices a prostitute, Kalavathi. Pundari is knitted in childhood. Jahnavi Sastry invites his shrew daughter-in-law, Rama, to divert his path. Rama looks down on her soft in-laws' and keeps Pundari in her grip. Consequently, he stops his visit to Kalavathi, which begrudges her. So, she ploys and summons him to announce her birthday, which Pundari is embarrassed about as he cannot bestow her. Thus, he attempts to steal Rama's jewelry but is caught when Lakshmi is accused. Accordingly, the couple quit. Today, Pundari completely surrenders to Kalavathi and spends time frolic-necking out Rama. Following that, Kalavathi confiscates his property in an alcoholic state and throws him away.

Next, Pundari reaches the Ashram of Sage Kukkuta. Since there is no modification in his attitude, he lusts for 3 river goddesses Ganga, Yamuna, & Saraswati who are passing removing their impurities of sinners. Pundari attempts to catch them, and they abscond. Therein, he views Kukkuta serving his parents, whom Pundari kicks off. As a result, he loses his limbs, and Kukkuta proclaims that the only remedy is the forgiveness of his parents. Here, Pundari grounds at his parents by crawling and pleads pardon after soul-searching when he recoups his legs. From there, he is actively involved in serving them and feels blissful in it. Parallelly, remorseful Rama, whom the parents rebuke, also lands at her husband's feet after crossing many hurdles, and she too starts serving in-laws'. Pundari currently molds as an advert devotee of Krishna who appears and gives him a call but does not rotate as he is immersed in praying to his parents asking him to wait. Then Indra's curse is relieved. At last, the Lord urges Pundari for a boon, and he requests to give salvation along with his parents, which he does. Finally, the movie ends happily, with the statement Serving parents cannot exceed any infinite spirit and the place adorning at Pandharpur Maharashtra till today.

Cast

 * N. T. Rama Rao as Pundarika
 * Anjali Devi as Rama
 * B. Saroja Devi as Kalavati
 * V. Nagayya as Jahnavi
 * Padmanabham as Hari
 * Govindarajula Subba Rao as Rama's father
 * Vangara as Panthulu
 * K. V. S. Sarma as Vritrasura and Sage Kukkuta (dual role)
 * Kasturi Siva Rao as Rangadasu
 * Balakrishna as Ramadasu
 * Peketi Sivaram as Kalavati's paramour
 * Rushyendramani as Lakshmi
 * Chhaya Devi as Suramma
 * Ammaji as Champa
 * Sowcar Janaki as Rama's sister
 * Vijaya Nirmala as Lord Krishna

Soundtrack
Music was composed by T. V. Raju. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Jr. The songs Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari, Amma Ani Pilichina are evergreen blockbusters. Lyrics for the Tamil dubbed version were penned by Kuyilan.

Release
It had a 100-day run in 9 centers and celebrated a silver jubilee in Vijayawada and Guntur centers.

Awards

 * Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) (fourth in succession) for his portrayal of Pundarika.