Mairavana (1940)

Synopsis: Ravana keeps Sita captive and Mandodari pleads with him to release her and also warns him not to have enmity with Lord Rama. Ravana rebukes Mandodari and seeks the help of Pathala Lankeswara Mahi Ravana to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Anjaneya builds a fortress using his tail to safe guard Rama and Lakshmana. But Mairavana with his mystical powers brings them to Pathalaloka. The Naga princess Chandrasena, a staunch devotee of Lord Rama was held captive by Mairavana who wishes to marry her. With her help Rama kills Mairavana.
Cast: Vemuri Gaggaiah (Mahi Ravana), Kanchanamala (Chandrasena), Rami Reddy, Rayaprolu Subrahmanyam (Ravana), Yandamuri Raju (Mandodari), T. Ramakrishna Sastry (Srirama), YR Suri (Anjaneya), G. Seshachalam (Lakshmana), K. Subrahmanya Kumari, Jaya Gowri (Sita), Nellori Krishnayya (Matsya Vallabha)
Music: Galipenchala Narasimha Rao
Cinematography: Govind Rao Bhadsavle
Sets (Art): TVS Sharma
Makeup: Mangaiah
Producer: Ghantasala Balaramaiah
Director: Chitrapu Narayana Murthy
Banner: Kubera Pictures
Trivia: In this movie except for the lead charactres, all the others were newcomers. Rayaprolu Subrahmanyam, a musician and an actor who had played Ravana hailed from Nellore and was a teacher. His other Mayabazaar, Markandeya, Thyagayya and Vemana. T. Ramakrishna Sastry who played Ramawas famous for his portrayal of Narada in stage plays. After a couple of films, he quit the industry and returned to his first love the stage and won the appreciation of Pundit Nehru when he staged Sri Krishna Thulabharam in New Delhi.