Devatha (1941)

Synopsis: Venugopala Murthy returns from England after completing Barat-Law. His mother Mangamma and sister Sita are overjoyed. Venu is attracted to the servant Lakshmi who stays with the family. One night Venu takes advantage of the sleeping Lakshmi and promises to marry her. Soon Venu has to leave the city. He stays with his maternal uncle Balaramaiah who had funded his education assuming that Venu would marry his daughter Vimala. Though hesitant at first, Venu agrees to marry her. Mangamma and Sita take a reluctant Lakshmi and her brother Rangadu to the city. Venu explains his predicament and offers some money to Lakshmi that she spurns. Later when her father Venkaiah arranges her marriage, pregnant Lakshmi leaves the house.
Vimala elope with Sukumar. Venu confesses to his mother. The kind hearted Mangamma sends him to bring Lakshmi back. Mean while Lakshmi take refuge with Haridasu's family and delivers a child. After several hardships, Lakshmi reunites with Venu.
Cast: Chittooru Nagaiah (Venu), Kumari (Lakshmi), Mudigonda Lingamurthy (Venkaiah), Bezawada Rajarathnam (Vimala), Goberu Subba Rao (Balaramaiah), Ch. Narayana Rao (Sukumar), Tanguturi Suryakumari (Sita), Master Ashwatthama (Rangadu), Parvathi Bai (Mangamma), Renduchinthala (Haridasu)
Story: Ramnoth
Dialogues and Lyrics: Samudrala Raghavacharya
Music: Chittooru Nagaiah
Playback: Bezawada Rajarathnam, Ashwatthama, Tanguturi Suryakumari, Parvathibai, Nagaiah, MS Rama Rao
Cinematographer: K. Ramnoth
Art and Sound: Sekhar
Production Manager: KV Reddy
Asst. Director: Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Producers: BN Reddy, Moola Narayana Swamy
Director: B.N. Reddy
Banner: Vauhini Studios
Release Date: 4 July 1941 (Chennai)
11 Sept 1941 (Andhra Pradesh)
Trivia: Vauhini studios paid Rs. 3,000 per month as salary as for their contract in that time.
This was MS Rama Rao's debut movie as a singer.
Popular Songs:
1. Adigo andiyala ravali
2. Evaru maakika saati
3. Vendi kanchaalalo
4. Lokamanta lobhulaa? kaanare nirupedala!
5. Nijamo kaado, yamunaa tatilo
6. Jaagelaa verapelaa tragumu raaga sudharasamu
7. Raitu janamula panduga dinamidiraa
8. Ennaallundeda viha sukhamulalo