LOOKING BACK // TELUGU Cast: NTR, S V Ranga Rao, CSR, Relangi, Padmanabham and Malathi
Director: K V Reddy
Year of release: 1951
Film: Pathala Bhairavi
Producer: Nagireddi, Chakrapani
Music: Ghantasala
Special effects in the early 50s were not only futuristic but somewhat unimaginable. But Pathala Bhairavi went surging ahead of its times and became an unmatchable cinematic milestone. Hemanth Kumar takes us down memory lane…
Every now and then, there comes a film which takes an entire generation by storm. Such films have stood the test of time and are still revered as awe inspiring. One of the first few films in Telugu cinema’s history to have attained this cult status was K V Reddy’s Pathala Bhairavi. The year was 1951. The film brought together some of the finest actors and technicians who went on to become icons. NTR, SV Ranga Rao, CSR, Relangi, Padmanabham and Malathi had begun their careers a few years ago. And then Pathala Bhairavi happened, which was the turning point for them. K V Reddy had already made his presence felt as a director with films like Bhakta Potana, Yogi Vemana and Gunasundari Katha. One of the biggest production houses back then, Vijaya Pictures produced the film with Nagireddi, Chakrapani at the helm of affairs. Marcus Bartley, a well-known cinematographer of those times, took up the project and Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote the story, dialogues and lyrics. The film’s production took almost a year and it was released on 15 March, 1951. It was an instant hit with the audience that was bowled over by the stellar performances and technical brilliance of this folklore. Some say the film was inspired from Kasi Majili Kathalu and others believe that it was an adaptation from the tale of Aladdin in Arabian Nights. Pathala Bhairavi is the story of Thota Ramudu, a gardener at the royal palace in the kingdom of Ujjain. He falls in love with princess Indumathi and when the king finds out, he challenges Thota Ramudu to seek riches and only then he could marry the princess. He meets Nepala Mantrikudu who promises Thota Ramudu all the riches he seeks, but with conditions. Eventually, Nepala Mantrikudu’s plan to seek the divine blessings of goddess Pathala Bhairavi fails, but he doesn’t give up. How Thota Ramudu keeps up at it despite all evils to win Indumathi’s heart is the rest of the story of this technical marvel.
into a frenzy across cinema halls. S V Ranga Rao’s performance as Nepala Mantrikudu, especially his signature lines like Saahasam Cheyyara Dimbhaka was unmatchable. Pathala Bhairavi is one of those rare films which seemed to have got everything in its favour right from its inception. The film ran for 100 days in 28 centres which was never heard of in the Telugu film industry. It was also the only south Indian film to have been officially selected for the International Film Festival in 1952. Later on, it strengthened and gave a new lease of life to folklore and mythological films to be spawned in Telugu cinema. Mayabazar was one such film which brought together all the stalwarts who worked in Pathala Bhairavi along with ANR and Savitri. Almost 43 years later, Chandamama Vijaya Combines made a film Bhairava Dweepam in 1994. The film starring Balakrishna was directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and it was inspired from Pathala Bhairavi. Till this day, the critics and audience alike are mesmerised by the special effects in Pathala Bhairavi, which was much ahead of its time. It comes as no surprise that quite a few filmmakers have aspired to remake this classic and add more splendour for the contemporary audience.
Ghantasala’s music along with Pingali Nagendra Rao’s lyrics was quite a sensation. The songs Kalavaramaye madhilo, Enta ghaatu premayo and Prema Kosamai Valalo Padine Pasivadu…rendered by Ghantasala, P Leela and VJ Varma are popular even after six decades. Dialogues by Pingalo Nagendra Rao sent the audience