Sati Sumathi

Sati Sumathi is a 1967 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by Chinna Rao under the Chinni Brothers banner, presented by Anjali Devi and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It stars Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi and music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.

Plot
The film begins with Rama in his exile period reaching Atri Mahamuni's Ashram, where his wife Anasuya narrates Sita a story of an ardently devoted wife Sumathi whose husband Kaushika is a debaucher who gets attracted to a prostitute Mohanang, but Sumathi never says a word against him and gives away all her belongings. After some time, Kaushika is affected by leprosy when Mohanangi and her mother Nagamani cheat him, take his property, and throw him out. At that point, Sumathi arrives to his rescue, and with the guidance of Anasuya, they go on a pilgrimage. On the way, they reach a kingdom where King Chandrasena gets a divine feeling by seeing Sumathi and provides hospitality as a brother. However, Kaushika suspects their relationship and asks Sumathi to undergo an Agni Pariksha test of fire to prove her innocence; when she plunges into the sacrificial fire, Lord Agni of fire raises Sumathi, unharmed, attesting to her divinity. After that, once Kaushika visits Chandrasena's court, he views the dance performance of Madana Manjali. From there, he is burning out of lust when Sumathi is not able to tolerate her husband's pain, so she requests Madana Manjali. Looking at her devotion towards her husband, Madana Manjari agrees to bring him. Sumathi keeps him in a basket that night and carries him on her head. Kaushika's legs hit Sage Mandavya when he curses him to die at sunrise. Angered, Sumathi edicts and bars the sunrise when the universe stands still. At that moment, Trimurti's Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva reach Sumathi and try to divert her, but they too are frozen. Knowing it, Trimata's Lakshmi, Parvathi & Saraswati immediately rush to Anasuya and plead with her to protect the universe. At the request of Anasuya, Sumathi takes back her word, and Kaushika dies. However, with the blessings of Anusuya, Kaushika is rejuvenated. At last, Anasuya tells Sita to follow in the footsteps of Sumathi. Finally, the movie ends with Sita & Rama continuing their journey.

Cast

 * Kanta Rao as Kaushikudu
 * Anjali Devi as Sati Sumathi & Sati Anasuya (Dual role)
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Chandrasena Maharaju
 * Relangi as Bhairavudu
 * Ramana Reddy
 * Haranath as Lord Srirama
 * Dhulipala as Atri Mahamuni
 * Allu Ramalingaiah as Madhavudu
 * Dr. Sivaramakrishanaiah as Gramadhikari
 * Vangara as Raja Vaidyudu
 * Kanchana as Mohanangi
 * L. Vijayalakshmi as Madana Manjali
 * Suryakantam as Nagamani
 * Girija as Makarandam
 * Vasanthi as Goddess Sita
 * Special Appearance:
 * Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Lord Vishnu
 * Jaggayya as Lord Brahma
 * Gemini Ganesan as Lord Shiva
 * Savitri as Goddess Parvati
 * Krishna Kumari as Goddess Lakshmi
 * Jamuna as Goddess Saraswati

Crew

 * Art: Vaali
 * Choreography: Vempati
 * Dialogues – Lyrics: Samudrala Sr., Samudrala Jr
 * Playback: P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vasantha, Swarnalata, L. R. Eswari, Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. B. Sreenivas
 * Music: P. Adinarayana Rao
 * Editing: N. S. Prakasham
 * Cinematography: Kamal Ghosh, C. Nageswara Rao
 * Producer: Chinna Rao
 * Presenter: Anjali Devi
 * Screenplay – Director: Vedantam Raghavayya
 * Banner: Chinni Brothers
 * Release Date: 5 August 1967

Soundtrack
Music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr. & Samudrala Jr.