Ranakdevi (1973 film)

Ranakdevi is a 1973 Indian Gujarati historical drama film directed by Babubhai Mistry starring Tarla Mehta, Upendra Trivedi, Arvind Pandya and Arvind Trivedi in lead roles. The film was based on the legend of Ranakadevi.

Plot
Siddhraj Jaysinh is a Solanki ruler of Patan. He was a childless and decided to conduct a worship of Shiva with his queens. Ranak is a daughter of Parmara of the Sindh and an adopted daughter of Hadmat Kumbhar of Majevadi village near Junagadh. Shrikanth Barot, his bard, arranges a mock marriage of Ranak with a sword of Jaysinh as he predict she will be a mother of his child. Before the mock marriage, Junagadh king Khengar abducts Ranak to avenge his father Navghan. Jaysinh attacks Junagadh and won the battle with aid of Deshal and Vishal, nephews of Khengar. He returns to Patan with Ranak but on their way, at Wadhwan on the banks of river Bhogavo, she commits sati by burning herself on the funeral pyre.

Cast
The following actors were starred in the film:
 * Tarla Mehta
 * Upendra Trivedi
 * Arvind Pandya
 * Arvind Trivedi
 * Dina Pathak
 * Jayshree T.
 * Jayshree Parikh
 * Jayant Vyas
 * Samir Yagnik (child actor)

Production
The film is based on local folk legend of Ranakadevi, a 12th century queen of Khengara, the Chudasama ruler of Saurashtra region of western India. In film, the historical events were mixed with folk legends. The film was directed by Babubhai Mistry. It was shot at Ambika Temple, Girnar and Girnar Jain temples.

Soundtrack
The songs were sung by Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor, Suman Kalyanpur, Vani Jairam, Sulochana Vyas, Veljibhai Gajjar.

Release and reception
The film was released in 1973. It was well received by the audience.