Seetha Kalyanam (1934)

Synopsis: Viswamitra is preparing for the performance of a great Yaga for the peace and prosperity of mankind. While he sits meditating, to carry it through successfully, as any such attempts were spoiled by Rakshasas who completely invest the neighbouring forests and wreck all such attempts, he finds great many Rishis horely-harassed by the evil deeds of Ravana and his minions are praying to the Lord Vishnu to free from their troubles. Vishnu appears before them and comforts them that he has already incarnated himself as the son of Dasaratha and he would surely end their troubles. Viswamitra has seen his own vision and starts to Ayodhya seeking the aid of Rama.
Dasaratha is in his durbar when Viswamitra enters and asks the support of Rama for defending his Yaga against the Rakshas. Dasaratha at first unwilling to send his son but on the advice of Vasishta he allows Viswamitra to take Rama and with him Lakshmana also. In their journey to Yagasala they meet the she-demon Thataki and Rama kills her. Viswamitra presents Rama with powerful arrows such as Agneyastram, Bhrahmastram and Nagastram etc.
At this time in Mithila, Janaka decided to give Sita in marriage to that prince who could bend the mighty Siva's bow, which was already lifted by Sita. In the meantime, Rama comforts the Rishis and protects the Yaga, bring down Subahu and Mareecha with his arrows. Both Rama and Ravana starts to go to Mithila to try for the hand of Sita.
In Mithila, suitors pour in from different places. Ravana comes in his pushpaka vimanam. The big bow is brought and one by one the various kings including Ravana try and fail. At he instigation of Viswamitra, Rama attempts and in trying to bend the bow, breaks it to the great joy of Sita. Sita garlands Rama.

Cast: Madhavapeddi Venkatramaiah (Viswamitra), Nellore Naga Raja Rao (Dasaratha), Master Kalyani (Srirama), Nageswara Rao (Lakshmana), Master Suribabu (Gowthama Maharshi), Govindarajula Venkatramaiah (Janaka), Teegala Venkateswarlu (Ravana), Kruttiventi Venkata Subba Rao (Mareecha), Lanka Krishna Murthy (Subahu), Srihari (Kausalya), Ramatilakam (Kaikeyi), Kokila Mani (Sumitra), Rajarathnam (Sita), Kamala Kumari (Ahalya)
Lyrics and Music: Galipenchala Narasimha Rao
Cinematographer: K. Ramanoth
Settings (Art): Sekhar
Producer: Pinapala Venkata Doss
Director: Chitrapu Narasimha Rao

Banner: Vel Pictures

Trivia: This was the first film to include outdoor shooting, and was based on the mythological story of Sita.
P.V. Doss was the owner of Minerva cinema in Machilipatnam. He constructed a studio in Madras: the Vel Pictures. It was the first Telugu talkie produced with South Indian technicians and made in Chennai.