Sati Savitri (1933)

Synopsis: Aswapathi, a Prince, ruling over the kingdom of Madra. For years after his Royal Wedding with Queen Malavi, hid did not have a child. He thereupon invoked Savitri, his favourite deity, and through her grace, he had a daughter who bore the same name as the goddess. As years went by, Savitri was always playing in the palace and in the forest with her companion Vasanthika. 
One day her pet deer escaped into the forest, both Savitri and Vasanthika ran after the creature but found that she was held and kept in captivity by Prince Satyavanta, son of king Dyumatsena. Savitri then recalled the features of the young man whom she saw in the dream. Eventually she got her deer back but could not forget Satyavanta. She made a portrait of her beloved, and was worshiping it daily.
In the meantime her parents anxiously contemplating her marriage when Narada paid a visit to them and strongly prevailed upon them to have a matrimonial alliance with Satyavanta. The marriage was celebrated with all religious formalities but Savitri knew through Narada that her husband would not live long. 
Three days before the fateful moment, she commenced her fast and went into the forest with her lord where he would hew wood. When the sun reached the zenith, Satyavanta complained of head-ache and fell down, his head reeling. Within a few minutes, Yama dropped into the earthly plane, and relentlessly wrenched the life out of Satyavanta's body.  Savitri questioned and argued with the mighty Lord of Death his authority to deal with a lady of spotless chastity and affection in the manner he did. Yama alternately appealed to her and threatened her and even opened up the scenes of hell with its terrors and dire punishments, but nothing daunted, she pursued him, crossed the Vaitarani and compelled him to restore the life of her beloved Satyavanta. 
Greatly pleased with her wisdom, courage and chastity, in addition to the life of her husband, he gave her many a boon which conferred among others progeny to Aswapathi and kingdom to Dyumatsena. 
Cast: VV Subba Rao, Kanthamani, KL Kantham, Hem Singh
Producer and Director: HM Reddy
Banner: Bharath Movie Tone
Release Date: 4 February
Trivia: This movie was based on stage play by Bala Bharathi Samajam, founded by Mailavaram Zamindar.