Chintamani

1957 187’ col/b&w Kannada d/s M.N. Basavarajaiah pc Lokeshwari Pics ph Kotnis lp B. Saroja Devi, Ashwath, Narasimhraju, Lakshmidevi, Balkrishna, M.S.S. Pandit, Master Hirannayya, Sampath, Rajakumari

Kannada remake of the Bhanumathi hit (1956), emphasising the melodramatic rather than the mythological aspects of the legend. The prostitute Chintamani (Saroja Devi) entices the saintly Bilwamangal (Ashwath) away from his wife. He is, however, returned to his true purpose in life following a series of calamities including his father’s death and wife’s suicide. He blinds himself in remorse before reuniting with his lover. The film was also an early experiment in colour in Kannada.

Film