Karunamayudu
A Telugu film on the life of Jesus.
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Karunamayudu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language biographical film written and directed by A. Bhimsingh, starring Vijayachander as Jesus of Nazareth. It won two Nandi Awards and was screened at the International Film Festival of India. The film is notable for two song sequences narrating the Birth of Jesus and Entry into Jerusalem.
Reception
Made by an Indian cast and crew, Karunamayudu was initially a box office success. Though not created as an evangelical film, American evangelicals later used it for outreach in India. Missionaries considered it a highly effective tool for presenting the life of Christ to Indian villagers unfamiliar with the story. By 2012, Dayspring International had dubbed the film into 14 Indian languages.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally set to be called Raraju Kristu (Christ the King), possibly inspired by Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings.
- It gained some funding from the Roman Catholic Church in South India.
- A sequel titled Dayamayudu (1987) starring Vijayachander as Saint Paul was made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Karunamayudu?
Karunamayudu was directed by A. Bhimsingh and Fr. Christopher Coelho OFM.
Who stars in Karunamayudu?
Karunamayudu stars Vijayachander and Sreedhar Surapaneni.
When was Karunamayudu released?
Karunamayudu was released on 21 December 1978.
Who composed the music for Karunamayudu?
The music for Karunamayudu was composed by Joseph Krishna and B. Gopalam.
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More in Film Portrayals of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Karunamayudu (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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