Pathala Bhairavi

Plot

The queen of Ujjain is determined that her daughter Indumathi, also called Indu, should wed the queen’s brother Surasena, a man who is both timid and mentally unstable. At a concert, the gardener’s son Thota Ramudu assaults Surasena for disturbing the audience, and is brought before the king. The king is impressed by Ramudu’s boldness, but when Ramudu declares his love for Indu the day before he is to be executed for meeting her in secret, the king recalls an astrologer’s prophecy that only a brave man can save her from a wicked sorcerer. The king challenges Ramudu to gather as much wealth as the king himself possesses in order to marry Indu. Ramudu agrees and is freed from prison.

Ramudu encounters a Nepali sorcerer performing a street magic show. This sorcerer has been commanded by the goddess Pathala Bhairavi during his prayers to sacrifice an intelligent and brave young man before her, in exchange for a statuette that can grant any wish. The sorcerer decides Ramudu is the perfect victim. While bathing in a pond, Ramudu kills a crocodile that instantly turns into a woman. She explains that he has freed her from a hermit’s curse, and warns him of the sorcerer’s plan. Just before the sacrifice, Ramudu turns the tables, sacrifices the sorcerer, and claims the statuette. Using it, he amasses wealth equal to the king’s, and the king honors his promise, allowing Indu to marry Ramudu.

The sorcerer’s apprentice Sadajapa finds his master dead at the goddess’s shrine and revives him with Sanjeevani. The resurrected sorcerer strikes a deal with Surasena, who was about to kill himself: Surasena will steal the statuette in exchange for everything Ramudu owns, including Indu. Surasena agrees, steals the statuette, and hands it over, leaving Ramudu penniless. Ramudu vows to win back his wealth and sets out for the sorcerer’s lair with his cousin Anji. They cannot find the lair, and Indu refuses the sorcerer’s marriage proposal. Using the statuette, the sorcerer brings Ramudu to the lair and tortures him in front of Indu, hoping she will give in. Anji, pretending to be Sadajapa, suggests the sorcerer shave his beard to win Indu’s heart. The sorcerer does so, losing his powers. Ramudu then finds the statuette and wishes the palace back to Ujjain. In a mid-air fight, Ramudu kills the sorcerer. The palace returns to Ujjain, Surasena apologizes to Ramudu and Indu, and the couple is reunited. Anji marries Indu’s best friend, and the film concludes with the wedding of Ramudu and Indu.

Production

After their debut Shavukaru (1950), Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani of Vijaya Productions signed K. V. Reddy to make a folklore film. It was based on a story from Kasi Majili Kathalu by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu, with Pingali adapting the content and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and K. V. Reddy working on the screenplay; Pingali was also inspired from the story of Aladdin. The film was shot as a bilingual in Telugu and Tamil, with Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass writing Tamil dialogues. T. Prakash Rao and K. Viswanath served as assistant directors, K. Raghava as action choreographer, Marcus Bartley as cinematographer, and the duo C. P. Jambulingam and M. S. Money as editors. Madhavapeddi Gokhale and Kaladhar were art directors, and Ghantasala composed the music. Director Reddy initially considered Akkineni Nageswara Rao for the lead, then Raja Reddy, but replaced him with N. T. Rama Rao at the last minute, signing him as part of a four-film contract after being impressed on the sets of Samsaram (1950). Rama Rao became the first actor to act in two languages simultaneously. Mukkamala was initially considered for the sorcerer, but Reddy chose S. V. Ranga Rao, who wore costumes reminiscent of a Shakespearean anti-hero and used the catchphrase 'Sahasam Seyara Dimbhaka', taking inspiration from Shylock. Muthudhuta Peethambaram helped Ranga Rao appear as a 105-year-old through make-up. Krishna Kumari and Savitiri made their debuts in this film.

Release

The Telugu version of Pathala Bhairavi was released on 15 March 1951, and the Tamil version on 17 May 1951. Both versions were commercially successful, with the Telugu version becoming the first in its language to have a direct run of 200 days. The Hindi dubbed version which featured two songs reshot in colour was also commercially successful. Pathala Bhairavi was the only South Indian film to be featured at the 1st International Film Festival of India (IFFI). On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, CNN-IBN included Pathala Bhairavi in its list of '100 greatest Indian films of all time'. It was featured retrospectively in the restored classics section of the 54th IFFI.

Legacy and impact

Pathala Bhairavi is considered to be a breakthrough film for both N. T. Rama Rao and S. V. Ranga Rao. It was the only South Indian film to be featured at the 1st International Film Festival of India (IFFI). On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, CNN-IBN included Pathala Bhairavi in its list of '100 greatest Indian films of all time'. It was featured retrospectively in the restored classics section of the 54th IFFI. The film was also remade in Hindi as Pataal Bhairavi (1985).