Classics standing the test of time is one thing. Them featuring acting stalwarts is another. ‘Pathala Bhairavi’ (1951), the KV Reddy-directed fantasy, is one such. Starring the versatile NT Rama Rao and the naturalistic SV Ranga Rao, respectively, as Thota Ramudu and a sorcerer from Nepal, the film thematically catered to the core belief system of the religious-minded: Courage and strength are everything.
The story of ‘Pathala Bhairavi’ is seemingly straightforward but the adventure and folkish touches make it timeless. The queen of Ujjain wants her daughter, Indu (K Malathi), to marry her timid brother, Surasena (Relangi). A gardener’s son, Ramudu (NTR), impresses the king with his bravery after assaulting Surasena. Despite being sentenced to death, Ramudu declares his love for Indu and is given a chance to marry her if he can amass wealth equal to the king’s. Ramudu meets a sorcerer (SVR) who plans to sacrifice him for a statuette that grants wishes. Ramudu kills the sorcerer and wins the statuette, fulfilling the king’s condition. However, the sorcerer’s apprentice resurrects him and convinces Surasena to steal the statuette. Ramudu and Indu’s fates are reversed, and Ramudu is left penniless. Ramudu vows to regain his wealth and save Indu from the sorcerer. Despite facing challenges, Indu remains loyal to Ramudu. With the help of a disguise and a trick, Ramudu defeats the sorcerer and regains the statuette. He uses it to bring the palace back to Ujjain and reunite with Indu. The film concludes with their marriage and the happiness of everyone involved.
Did you know? The film was almost pan-Indian. It was shot in Telugu and Tamil. In Hindi, a dubbed version was released in parts of northern India. The film went on to run for 100 days in 28 centers. In one center, it ran for 200 days. It was successful in Tamil and Hindi as well. More than three decades later, in 1985, it was remade as ‘Pataal Bhairavai’, presented incidentally by Superstar Krishna (NTR’s bete noire in politics).
Many believed at the time of the movie’s release that the Aladdin story was the primary source of inspiration. Later, it emerged that the book ‘Kasi Majilee Kathalu’ was sought after by KV Reddy.
Pingali and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao’s writing contrasts the heroic figures of the tale with the innocent princess character. The plot revolves around the opposing beliefs of the protagonist and the sorcerer.
Did you know? The film was the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time in 1951. It grossed Rs 1.20 Cr and earned a share of Rs 60 lakhs.
Girija, who played the titular role, emerged as a major comedienne in the following years. The film’s visuals, amplified by the acclaimed Anglo-Indian cinematographer Marcus Bartley (who would go on to wield the camera for other classics like ‘Missamma’ and ‘Maya Bazaar’), were lauded by connoisseurs. The songs (especially ‘Kalavaramaye’, ‘Entha Ghatu Premayo’) were set to tune by Ghantasala.
Like James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’, ‘Pathala Bhairavi’, too, was not without its share of critics. A Bengali film observer described the movie as an extraordinarily meaningless modern myth.
The film is streaming on Amazon Prime Video
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