Bhookailas (1940)

Synopsis: Ravana (MV Subbaiah Naidu) vows to his mother Kaikesi (Parvathibai) that he would bring the 'athma linga' from Lord Siva (R. Subrahmanyam). Narada (R. Nagendra Rao) plots to avert it. Pleased with Ravana's penance that stretches to a few seasons, Lord Siva and Parvathi (Hymavathi) appear before him. When Ravana was about to ask Siva the 'athma linga', Vishnu Maya (Kamalabai) enters into his body and Ravana instead asks for the hand of Parvathi saying, 'Neevu Sanyasivi. Smasaanamlo Vunde neeku Inthati Soundarya raasi yenduku? Lankadheesudi pattamahishi ayi sarva sukhaalu anubhavinchaka.." Siva grants his wish. But Narada plays his part and Ravana ends up marrying Mandodari (Lakshmibai) daughter of Mayasura (M. Satyanarayana). When he returns home, Ravana realizes his folly and goes back to seek pardon from Siva and Parvathi. Siva gives him 'athma lingam' and tells him not to put it on earth before reaching Lanka. Bala Ganapathi (Master Viswam) plays his part and he puts it down on the sea shore when Ravana asks him to hold it till he completes his evening 'sandhyavandanam' ritual.
Ravana makes a futile attempt to lift the siva lingam. Siva appears before him and says the place will be henceforth known as 'Bhookailasam'. The movie ends with a placard that it is the present day Gokarna-Mahabaleswar. A five minute short film on Sivarathri festival in Gokarna was shown as an added attraction at the end.
Cast: MV Subbaiah Naidu, R. Nagendra Rao, R. Subrahmanyam, Lakshmibai, Master Viswam, M. Satyanarayana, P. Ramachandra Rao, Hymavathi, Kamalabai, Parvathibai
Dialogues and Lyrics: Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi
Cinematography: Adi Irani
Editing: Sunder Rao Nadkarni
Art: VM Vaturkar
Make-up: Bhaurao Datal
Director: Sunder Rao Nadkarni
Producer: AV Meiyappan Chettiar
Banner: Saraswathi Cine Film Laboratories
Trivia: 'Bhookailas' was an adaptation of the stage play by the Kannada drama company, Sri Sahitya Samrajya (SSS) Nataka Manadali of Mysore.
In 1958, AVM remade this movie with NTR, ANR, SVR, Jamuna and B. Saroja Devi.
Popular Songs:
1. Naa jeevithaasa idegaa
2. Naa janma netiki dhanyamaayene
3. Maayaa manoharee
4. Mahadevuni mahaa mahimane