Satya Harishchandra (1965 Telugu film)

Satya Harishchandra
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. V. Reddy
Produced by	Chakrapani Nagi Reddy
Written by	Pingali Nagendra Rao (story / dialogues)
Screenplay by	K. V. Reddy
Based on	life of Harishchandra
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao, S. Varalakshmi
Music by	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Cinematography	Kamal Ghosh
Edited by	G. Kalyana Sunder D. G. Jayaram
Production company	Vijaya Productions[1]
Release date	22 April 1965 (1965-04-22)
Running time	162 mins
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Satya Harishchandra (Telugu: సత్య హరిశ్చంద్ర) is a Telugu mythological film, based on the life of Harishchandra, produced by Nagireddy and Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner^[2] and directed by K. V. Reddy.^[3] It stars N. T. Rama Rao and S. Varalakshmi in the lead roles,^[4] with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.^[5] The film was simultaneously made in Kannada, with the same title, starring Rajkumar.^[6]

Plot

Satya Harischandra (N. T. Rama Rao) is a ruler of Ayodhya belongs to Suryavasam, he is one among the six kings who ruled the earth like heaven and performed a hundred Rajasuya Yagas, whose path of life is always the truth. Once in Indra's (Mikkilineni) court, Maharshi Viswamitra (Mukkamala) had a confrontation with Maharshi Vashista (Chittor V. Nagaiah) that he will divert Harischandra from his path of truth. Viswamitra goes to Harischandra's court, asks a huge amount of money, without any hesitation, Harichandra is ready to pay. Viswamitra asks to keep it with him as his property. Then he creates wild animals creating trouble for people and brings Harischandra to the forest. There he creates two beautiful women called Matanga Kanyalu (Rajasri & Meena Kumari) and tries to lure Harischandra, but he does not yield. Viswamitra threatens Harichandra either to marry the girls or leave the kingdom. Harichandra gives away his kingdom. When Harichandra is about to leave, Viswamitra asks to repay the amount he kept in his asylum. Harischandra asks some time to repay, Viswamitra gives a month and asks his assistant Nakshatrakudu (Ramana Reddy) to accompany him. On the way, Viswamitra keeps many tests to Harichandra which cannot stand before his true path. After reaching Kaasi, he observes that people are sold in the market. Due to shortage of time, on his wife Chandramathi's (S. Varalakshmi) advice, he sells her along with his son Lohitha. Lord Kaasi Vishwanath (M. Prabhakar Reddy) buys them in the form of Kaalakoushikudu (Relangi). After that, Nakshatrakudu asks for his traveling expenses, then he sells himself to Veerabhadrudu (Rajanala), king of the funeral yard. Now Harichandra starts working as a watchman to the burial ground and Chandramathi & Lohitha as slaves in Kaalakoushikudu house. One day suddenly Lohitha dies due to snake bite. While Chandramathi is performing his funeral, Harischandra obstructs her way and says that she should pay the fee for it without knowing their identity. She doesn't have anything to give, then he indicates her golden wedding chain. Then she understands that the person is her husband only because her wedding chain is invisible to others. In such pathetic situations also Raja Harischandra did not yield and stands on his word that she should pay the fee. Chandramathi rushes to get the money from her owner. At the same time, Viswamitra creates an illusion that Chadramathi has kidnapped the son of Kaasiraju (King of Kaasi). The soldiers follow her and she leaves on the way where Chandramathi is rushing when she sees the child was dead and the blame comes on her. The King gives the death sentence to her and sends her to Harichandra to execute it. Even then he does not leave his true path and executes the punishment. Suddenly, Viswamitra, Vashita & Lord Shiva appear. Finally, Viswamitra accepts his defeat before Harischandra and by the blessings of Lord Siva, he gets back his kingdom.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao as Harishchandra
• S. Varalakshmi as Chandramathi
• Chittor V. Nagaiah as Maharshi Vashista
• Rajanala as Veerabhadrudu
• Relangi as Kaalakoushikudu
• Ramana Reddy as Nakshatrakudu
• Mikkilineni as Indra
• Mukkamala as Vishwamitra
• Prabhakar Reddy as Lord Siva
• Chadalavada as Velampaata
• Raja Babu as Kaalakoushikudu's student
• Balakrishna as Kaalakoushikudu's student
• Girija as Kalahakanthi
• L. Vijayalakshmi as Menaka
• Rajasree as Matanga Kanya
• Vanisri as Matangi
• Meena Kumari as Matanga Kanya
• Mohana as Kaasi Rani
• Sabitaa Devi as Goddess Parvathi

Crew

• Art: Gokhale, Kaladhar
• Choreography: Pasumarthi
• Story - Dialogues - Lyrics: Pingali Nagendra Rao
• Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, P. Leela, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Swarnalatha, B. Gopalam
• Music: Pendyala Nageswara Rao
• Editing: G. Kalyana Sunder, D. G. Jayaram
• Cinematography: Kamal Ghosh
• Producer: Nagireddy, Chakrapani
• Screenplay - Director: K. V. Reddy
• Banner: Vijaya Productions
• Release Date: 22nd April 1965

Soundtrack

Music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Music released by EMI Columbia Audio Company.

See also

• List of Hindu mythological films

References

External links

• Satya Harischandra 1965 Telugu film at IMDb.