Bhookailas (1958 film)

Bhookailas is a 1958 Telugu-language Hindu film from India, directed by K. Shankar. The cast includes N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Jamuna, while R. Sudarsanam and R. Govardhanam handled the music. A. V. Meiyappan produced it under the AVM Productions banner. The storyline draws from the Sthala Purana of Gokarna Kshetram, a sacred site in Karnataka. An earlier Telugu film with the same title and story had been released in 1940, itself an adaptation of the Kannada stage play *Bhookailasa* by Sri Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Mandali of Mysore. Meiyappan also shot a simultaneous Kannada version, *Bhookailasa*, starring Rajkumar.

The plot begins in Lanka, where Ravana defeats the Earth and threatens Amaravati. Narada informs Indra that Ravana’s power comes from his devotion to his mother Kaikashi, who daily worships a sand lingam of Shiva by the sea. Indra disrupts her prayers, prompting Ravana to vow to bring the Atmalingam—Shiva’s soul—for her. He sets off to perform penance. On the way, Narada learns of his plan. Parvati, disturbed, seeks Vishnu’s help, and he agrees. During Ravana’s penance, Shiva and Parvati appear. Vishnu creates an illusion that makes Ravana desire Parvati, and he asks for her; Shiva grants this. Parvati, aware of Vishnu’s trick, curses him to be separated from his wife and weep. Narada rejoices, seeing this as a sign of the coming Ramavatar. Parvati transforms into Bhadrakali, startling Ravana. Narada tells him Shiva has given him a duplicate, so Ravana returns her and searches for the real one. He then meets Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura, who falls for him. Narada presents her as Parvati, and she enters their world. Mayasura initially objects, as he is a devotee of Vishnu and Ravana is his enemy, but Narada arranges their marriage. Back home, Kaikashi questions Ravana about the Atmalingam; learning what happened, she scolds him. When Ravana discovers Mandodari’s true identity, he feels deceived by Narada, who angrily withdraws his illusion. Ravana, repentant, tries to kill himself, but Kaikashi stops him and urges him to try again with renewed dedication. He then seeks forgiveness by decapitating himself. Pleased, Shiva gives him the Atmalingam, warning him not to place it on the ground before reaching Lanka. Narada, wanting to stop him, incites Ganesha to disguise himself as a Brahmin boy. During a ritual to the sun god, Ra