Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu

Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by K. V. Reddy under the Jayanthi Pictures banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. The film was based on the Telugu play Gayopakhyanam written by Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham in 1890. It was later dubbed into Kannada and into Tamil.

Plot
The film begins at Dwaraka, where Narada walks on to Krishna and speaks about his sibling Subhadra 's nuptial. Thus, Krishna states the bridegroom is his equally gifted Arjuna. Hearing it, Narada is blissful and endorses the Parijatham flower to Krishna. He bestows it to his consort Rukmini, which irks vainglory Satyabhama, and Krishna pacifies her. On his back, Gandhara King Gaya acquaints Narada, who is proceeding to Brahma for a boon to be classic history. However, Balarama fixes Subhadra's alliance with his ardent disciple Duryodhana, though she disdains it. Krishna comforts & promises to knit her with Arjuna and schematically makes a comic game via Narada. During that time, Arjuna is making an around-the-Earth trip for one year and is conscious of the status quo. Accordingly, under the oversight of Krishna, Arjuna sets foot in Dwaraka in the guise of a saint. Balarama warmly welcomes him, assigns Subhadra for his ministrations, and the two write a romantic poem.

Meanwhile, Balarama forwards bridal coordination with Kaurava. Ergo, Krishna hastens, covetously conducts Arjuna & Subhadra's splice, and conveys them to Indraprastha. Balarama inflames it, but Krishna soothes him and moves to honor the groom's family. At this, Krishnarjuna visits Khandava Forest and comes across Agni, who is a victim of indigestion. A concrete treatment is burning down Khandava, but he is hindered by Indra since his best friend Takshaka is residing therein. Agni bestows the divine weapons Sudarshana Chakra & Gandiva on them, and they triumph in the battle. Midway, upon going home, Krishna fulfills the ritual to Surya. At that point, Gaya wins the boon, flies in his aircraft, and inadvertently spits a betel leaf, which falls into Krishna's hands. It infuriates Krishna, and he pledges to slay him when fear-struck Gaya hunts for cover, which is refused even by Brahma & Siva.

Now, Narada gambits and frames Gaya to head to Arjuna. Unbeknownst, he too vows to shield Gaya, who crumbles, aware of the actuality, but stands firm. Krishna grieves for being aware of Arjuna's oath. So, he sends Akrura as an emissary to Arjuna. Subhadra also takes off for negotiations but to no avail. Exploiting it, Duryodhana & Karna ruse firstly they approach Pandava to support, which they deny. Next, they reach Krishna, who, too, expels them, announcing it is only a battle between Krishnarjuna. Accordingly, they take the field and encounter it. After almighty rows, war erupts, which causes severe catastrophe and is barred by Siva. At last, Krishna pardoned Gaya, proclaiming that he had made the play to test Arjuna's skills for the upcoming Kurukshetra War. Finally, the movie ends happily with Siva blessing Gaya: Whoever listens to his story Gayopakhyanam flourishes fearlessly irrespective of any danger.

Production
The film was based on the popular Telugu play Gayopakhyanam written by Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham in 1890. K. V. Reddy also produced the film under the Jayanthi Pictures banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao as Krishna and Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Arjuna. Initially, Nageswara Rao was not keen on acting in a mythological film alongside Rama Rao. However, he accepted the role due to his respect towards K. V. Reddy for having directed Donga Ramudu (1955), the maiden venture of his own production house Annapurna Pictures.

Soundtrack
Music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Lyrics were written by Pingali.

Reception
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu became a commercial success. It was later dubbed into Kannada and Tamil.