Ratnamala (film)

Ratnamala is a 1948 Telugu-language film, produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. It stars Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by C. R. Subburaman.

Plot
Once upon a time, a kingdom called Kanchipuram was ruled by Simhakethu, who endeared his only daughter, Ratnamala. He is currently in the hunt for the bridegroom. Besides, at Sonapuram, its king Chandrachuda is blessed with a son. It is rosy, as the astrologers foresee a curse of death for newborns on the 16th day. They also proclaim that there is an unraveling by a conjugal baby to a 16-year-old girl before time. Ergo, his Chief Minister Buddisagar, quests for the bride and approaches Simhakethu when he forges with his son's patriot, whom Ratnamala accepts. Following this, Buddisagar counterfeits and performs nuptials of the sword despite the refusal of Simhakethu's nephew, Dhoomakethu.

Soon after, Ratnamala walks to the in-law's house, accompanying Dhoomakethu, where the fact appears. Hereupon, they state that the entire act is god's will and endorse her baby husband Chandrakantha to her. Midnight, devasted Ratnamala sets out to a secluded forest, shouldering her husband to raise him as a son. Whereat, she is secured & sheltered by an elderly couple. Being conscious of deceit, furious Simhakethu prisons Chandrachuda, Buddisagar & his son and assigns Dhoomakethu to find Rathnamala's whereabouts.

After 7 years, one day, Chandrakantha walks into the forest for cattle grazing, where tribes abduct him for the blood sacrifice, but he skips. Agitated & upset, Ratnamala speeds when Dhoomakethu spots and compels her to get home, which she denies. So, he uses force when a bandit gang suddenly backstabs him, captures Rathnamala, and the leader lusts on her. Noticing Ratnamala's inclination towards the kid, the leader clutches Chandrakantha by the hook. Eventually, he threatens Ratnamala, showing imperil to Chandrakanth, but in vain.

Simultaneously, Dhoomakethu onslaughts shield them and proceed to Kanchipuram. Therein, Simhakethu suspects Ratnamala's chastity, conceding that Chandrakantha is her son, and declares the death penalty. All at once, Ratnamala is edged to execution, and the elderly couple startlingly appear into Siva & Parvati, confirming her eminence. Buddisagar's son in jail also divulges the actuality. At last, they bless Ratnamala with a boon by transforming Chandrakantha into a youngster. Finally, the movie ends happily with the marriage of Chandrakantha & Ratnamala.

Cast

 * Bhanumathi as Ratnamala
 * Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Chandrakanth
 * Govindarajula Subba Rao as Simhakethu
 * C. S. R. as Dhoomakethu
 * Suryanarayana as Chandrakanth
 * Aarani Satyanarayana
 * Nyapati Raghava Rao as Lord Siva
 * Sitaram
 * Hemalatha
 * Baby Sumithra

Crew

 * Art: D. S. Godgaonkar
 * Choreography: Vedantam Raghavayya
 * Dialogues - Lyrics: Samudrala Sr
 * Playback: Ghantasala, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, K. Jamuna Rani, C.S.R., Baby Sarojini
 * Music: C. R. Subburaman
 * Editing: V. S. Narayanan
 * Cinematography: P. S. Selvaraj
 * Presenter: Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
 * Producer - Screenplay - Director: P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
 * Banner: Bharani Pictures
 * Release Date: 2 January 1948

Soundtrack
Music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr.

Trivia
The film was the debut of Bharani Pictures in the film industry and the debut movie for P. S. Ramakrishna Rao as director. Though Samudrala was credited with the lyrics, it is widely believed that some of the hit numbers were actually ghost-written by Malladi Ramakrishna Sastry.