| Chintamani | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Screenplay by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Based on | Chintamani byKallakuri Narayana Rao |
| Produced by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Starring | P. Bhanumathi N. T. Rama Rao Jamuna |
| Cinematography | Sridhar |
| Edited by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Music by | Addepalli Rama Rao T. V. Raju |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Chintamani is a 1956 IndianTelugu-language drama film produced and directed byP. S. Ramakrishna Rao.[1] It starsP. Bhanumathi,N. T. Rama Rao, andJamuna, with music composed by Addepalli Rama Rao andT. V. Raju. The film is based on the play of the same name, written byKallakuri Narayana Rao.[2][3][4] It was a flop at the box office.[1]
The film follows the story of Chintamani, a courtesan who, despite being a devotee of Krishna, is coerced by her greedy mother, Srihari, into luring and robbing the wealth of Bhavani Sankarudu, a Brahmin, and Subbi Setti, a merchant. Bilvamangaludu, the son of Vasudeva Murthy, a gold merchant, lives a happy life with his devoted wife, Radha. Bilvamangaludu becomes infatuated with Chintamani, and although Vasudeva Murthy warns Bilvamangaludu, his son ignores the advice, leading to his father’s illness and eventual death. Bilvamangaludu’s obsession with Chintamani grows, and he disregards his father’s death on a stormy night. Beyond that, he crosses the river with the aid of the carcass of none other than Radha, who died falling from the cliff backing him. He climbs the compound with what he believes is a crupper but is actually a snake.
Chintamani, noticing his bloodied clothes, questions Bilvamangaludu, who confesses his actions. She chastises him, and he collapses in repentance, realizing the corpse he carried was Radha’s. Krishna then enlightens Chintamani, and she decides to give away her wealth to the village. After Radha’s funeral, Bilvamangaludu blinds himself as an act of repentance and becomes a devoted follower of Krishna, eventually residing in an ashram. Chintamani also joins the ashram.
Krishna decides to grant salvation to both Chintamani and Bilvamangaludu, a decision Rukmini questions. To test their devotion, Krishna presents a challenge that even great saints cannot complete: detecting fragrance. Despite his blindness, Bilvamangaludu recognizes the fragrance of the Lord, regaining his vision in the process. The film concludes with Krishna granting salvation to both Chintamani and Bilvamangaludu.
Chintamani was produced byP. Bhanumathi under her production company,Bharani Pictures, and directed by her husband,P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film starredN. T. Rama Rao in the lead role of Bilvamangaludu, with Bhanumathi playing the title role of Chintamani.[1]
Initially,Akkineni Nageswara Rao was considered for the role of Bilvamangaludu. However, Nageswara Rao declined the role, advising the producers to abandon the project, suggesting that Bharani Pictures was not suitable for such a film. Despite this setback, Bhanumathi and Ramakrishna chose to proceed with the project, as the script work had already been completed.[1]
The production featuredS. V. Ranga Rao as Bhavani Sankarudu andRelangi as Subbi Setti. Since Bhanumathi was playing the role of Chintamani, the filmmakers took precautions to maintain her public image by portraying the character as a devout woman, refraining from any depiction that could be seen as tarnishing her persona. As a result, the character was reimagined as a devoted follower ofLord Krishna rather than a seductive figure.[1]
Director Ramakrishna aimed to present the film with a serious and dignified tone, deliberately avoiding light-hearted or comedic treatment. However, despite these efforts, the film did not meet the audience’s expectations. Viewers, who had anticipated a more entertaining narrative, were disappointed by the sombre tone of the film.[1]
The film was adapted from the playChintamani byKallakuri Narayana Rao. However, government censorship imposed restrictions on certain scenes, particularly those between Chintamani and Subbi Setti, which were removed during the editing process. In an attempt to add more entertainment, Ramakrishna included comedic scenes between Subbi Setti and his wife, but these too were censored. Consequently, the final version of the film became a serious, devotional story, leading to its satirical rebranding asBhakta Chintamani (transl. Devotee Chintamani) by the audience. This shift contributed to the film’s failure to meet audience expectations.[1]
| Chintamani | |
|---|---|
| Film score by Addepalli Rama Rao T. V. Raju | |
| Released | 1956 |
| Producer | Addepalli Rama Rao T. V. Raju |
Music composed by Addepalli Rama Rao andT. V. Raju. Lyrics were written by Ravuru.
| S. No. | Song title | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andalu Chindeti | A. M. Rajah,Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 3:21 |
| 2 | Teeyani Veenalu | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 2:40 |
| 3 | Kanara Srihari | Raghuramaiah | 4:49 |
| 4 | Taguna Nanu | P. Leela | 3:25 |
| 5 | Melaye Neevela | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 4:12 |
| 6 | Rangaina Ravvnura | P. Susheela | 4:09 |
| 7 | Jaya Jaya Sundara | Ghantasala, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 1:19 |
| 8 | Inta Rambhalavanti | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 1:02 |
| 9 | Intulu Tarasilluvarake | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 1:04 |
| 10 | Enta Dayo | Relangi | 0:20 |
| 11 | Kaligin Bhagyamunellanu | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 0:49 |
| 12 | Kani Rojulu | Relangi | 2:43 |
| 13 | Tapasa Vruttibooni | Raghuramaiah | 1:18 |
| 14 | Tatalanati Kshetramulella | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 1:18 |
| 15 | Tani Yadhanudu | P. Leela | 0:35 |
| 16 | Naluvura Nota | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 0:53 |
| 17 | Nallni Menutoda | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 0:58 |
| 18 | Nanu Devendruniga | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 0:53 |
| 19 | Pasidi Seelammunammina | Raghumaiah | 1:44 |
| 20 | Papini Brasthurala | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 0:48 |
| 21 | Pujyulaintanu Puttina | Raghumaiah | 2:07 |
| 22 | Bhakti Bhavammu | Raghumaiah | 1:14 |
| 23 | Mounul Satatmu | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 0:52 |
| 24 | Vidichiti Bandhuvargamula | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 0:55 |
| 25 | Sirikin Cheppadu | P. Susheela | 0:54 |
| 26 | Haindava Sundari | P. Susheela | 0:56 |
| 27 | Kastabharitambu | Ghantasala | 0:52 |
| 28 | Kalindi | Ghantasala | 0:53 |
| 29 | Chuchinavelayettidiyo | Ghantasala | 0:59 |
| 30 | Ardhanga | Ghantasala | 1:23 |
| 32 | Chadiviti | Ghantasala | 0:29 |
| 33 | Taalimi | Ghantasala | 0:37 |
| 34 | Talliro | Ghantasala | 0:30 |
| 35 | Kasturi Thilakam | Ghantasala | 0:59 |