Chintamani (1956 film)

Chintamani (Bhanumathi Ramakrishna) even though a prostitute, is a devotee of Lord Krishna (Raghuramaiah). Lord Krishna, to test Chintamani and other people, comes to earth as sage along with Rukmini (Prabhavathi). Bhavani Shankarudu (S. V. Ranga Rao), a Brahmin, out of lust towards Chintamani gives away all his wealth. Even then, Chintamani's mother Srihari (Rushyendramani) is not satisfied and asks Chintamani to lure Subbi Shetty (Relangi), a merchant, and halfheartedly Chintamani snatches Subbi Shetty's property too. Bellvamangaludu (N. T. Rama Rao) son of Vasudeva Murthy (Dr. Kamaraju), is a gold merchant. Radha (Jamuna) is his dedicated wife. Bhavani Shankarudu takes him to Chintamani and they both get attracted to each other. Vasudeva Murthy becomes sick after knowing about this affair and dies pleading to his son to leave Chintamani and take care of his wife Radha. But Bellvamangaludu, out of lust, leaves his dead father and goes to Chintamani. After seeing his bloodied clothes, she inquires about it and he says he came up with the help of a creeper, but it is a snake. Still worse than this, he, with help of his wife's dead body swims to the other side of the river to reach her. Chintamani scolds him. Chintamani and Bellvamangaludu realise their mistakes and starts hating themselves. Lord Krishna gives enlightenment to Chintamani. She leaves the village giving all her property and becomes a wanderer. After completing his wife's funeral, Bellvamangaludu burns his eyes as a contrition for his sins. Then he becomes a great devotee of Lord Krishna and starts living in an Ashram. Chintamani also reaches there and serves Bellvamangaludu. Lord Krishna in a sage form watches all these happenings and decides to give salvation to both of them. But Rukmini obstructs his way, how could he do so for a prostitute and a person who became blind with lust. Then he makes a test, he takes a liquid in a pot and asks great saints to identify its fragrance, which no one can answer. Bellvamangaludu, without eyes, recognizes it as the fragrance of Lord Krishna. At last, Lord Krishna gives Darshan to them by giving back Bellvamangaludu's eyes. Finally, the movie ends with Lord Krishna giving salvation to Chintamani and Bellvamangaludu.

• N. T. Rama Rao as Bellvamangaludu
• Bhanumathi Ramakrishna as Chintamani
• Jamuna as Radha
• S. V. Ranga Rao as Bhavani Shankarudu
• Relangi as Subbi Shetty
• Raghuramaiah as Lord Krishna
• Rushyendramani as Srihari
• Chaya Devi as Mani
• Prabhavathi as Rukmini
• Leelarani as Chitra

Music composed by Addepalli Rama Rao & T. V. Raju. Lyrics were written by Ravuru. Music released by Audio Company.