Sri Rama Pattabhishekam

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed and produced by N. T. Rama Rao under Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. Based on the Ramayana, the film stars Rama Rao, Jamuna and Sangeeta, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.

Plot
The film begins at Ayodhya, where its Emperor Dasharatha announces Rama's crowning ceremony. All the deities plead with Brahma to fulfill the meaning of Ramavatar. Hence, Saraswati speaks via Kaikeyi and sly maid Manthara, exaggerating her to seek Dasaratha, the two boons of the Devasura war. Dasaratha offers, and Kaikeya does so to announce Bharata as the Emperor and exile of Rama for 14 years. The heartbroken Dasaratha, constrained by his rigid devotion to his given word, accedes to Kaikeyi's demands. Rama also deliberately accepts his father's reluctant decree with absolute submission and calm self-control. Rama quits with Lakshmana & Sita, and devotee Guha crosses them, the river Ganga. After that, Dasaratha dies due to the agony when Bharata backs and flares up on his mother, affirming the actuality. Accordingly, it removes the illusion that occurred to her, and she realizes her mistake. Bharata rushes to retrieve Rama but denies obeying his father's words. So, Bharata obtains his sandals as a gesture of Rama and starts ruling Ayodhya.

After 13 years, Rama, Sita & Lakshmana, with the blessings of Atri & Anasuya, arrive at Panchavati. Shurpanakha, sister of Ravana, entices the Rama when Lakshmana cuts off her nose & ears. Being conscious of it infuriated Ravana ploys to seize Sita with the aid of the Maricha, who turns into a golden deer. Entranced by its beauty, Sita pleads with Rama to capture it when he chases it, leaving Sita under Lakshmana's guard. Rama shoots an arrow at the deer, who mimics Rama before dying. Frightened, Sita forces Lakshmana to go, which he obeys but stipulates not to cross the chalk outline he drew. Ravana, in the guise of an ascetic, abducts Sita. Jatayu tries to arrest Ravana but loses his wings. Ramalakshmana learns about the fatality via him. Ongoing, they meet an ascetic Shabari, who directs them toward Kishkindha. So, they step in and befriend Anjineeya & Sugriva. Rama kills his malice brother Vaali and crowns him. Then, Vanara is under the hunt of Sita. Anjineeya crosses the sea and reaches Lanka, locking Sita in Ashoka Grove. Here, he bestows the ring and states that Rama will take revenge for her insult. Plus, he takes her golden hairband, who returns by setting fire to Lanka and warning Ravana.

With the aid of Vanara, Rama constructed a stone bridge over the sea and reached Lanka. Vibhishana, a good Samaritan Ravana's brother, requests him to pardon Rama. As a result, he is ostracized and propitiates with Rama, who promises to bestow Lanka. However, Rama wants to conduct a sacred ritual before the war, which requires a great Brahmin of renowned qualities, and the only one in the universe is Ravana. Rama sends an invitation to Ravana through Anjineeya when, unhesitatingly, Ravana moves and does so. Rama takes Ravana's blessing and begins the war, destroying most demon warriors. So, Ravana awakes his second sibling Kumbhakarna, who is too slaughtered by Rama. Here, Indrajit creates an illusion of Sita's assassination when Rama faints. Now Lakshmana takes charge and collapses by Indrajit's Nagastram. Anjineeya secures him by Sanjeevani and he kills Indrajit.

Ultimately, Ravana walks to battle when Rama disarms and asks him to arrive tomorrow. That night, Rama orders Lakshmana to walk on to Ravana since supreme wisdom is collapsing tomorrow, and he should acquire a spoon. Advisedly, he grants it to him. The next day, Ravana confronts him with his ten heads. Rama kills Ravana by getting knowledge of his death secret from Vibhishana. On meeting Sita, Rama asks her to undergo an Agni Pariksha test of fire to prove her innocence, as he wants to eliminate the rumors surrounding her purity. Sita plunges into the sacrificial fire, and Agni raises Sita, unharmed, to the throne, attesting to her fidelity. At last, Rama backs Ayodhya with Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and other Vanaras. Finally, the movie ends happily with Rama’s coronation.

Cast

 * N. T. Rama Rao as Rama and Ravana
 * Jamuna as Mandodari
 * Sangeeta as Sita
 * Ramakrishna as Lakshmana
 * Satyanarayana as Bharata
 * Prabhakar Reddy as Dasaratha
 * Sridhar as Guhudu
 * Arjan Janardhan Rao as Hanuman
 * Tyagaraju as Kumbhakarna
 * Chalapathi Rao as Indrajit
 * Kanchana as Kaikeyi
 * Anjali Devi as Sabari
 * Suryakantham as Manthara
 * Chandrakala as Kausalya
 * Halam as Shurpanakha

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.

Reception
Venkatrao of Andhra Patrika in his review dated 11 September 1978 appreciated the film's portrayal of Ravana. He felt that scenes such as Ravana teaching military tactics to Lakshmana despite knowing that he's Rama's aid were thought-provoking. Sarada writing for Zamin Ryot on 22 September 1978 was critical of Rama Rao for picking up similar roles in his films. She opined that Rama Rao had hardly shown any improvement in his acting and directing ability.