Sati Sumathi

The film begins with Lord Srirama in his exile period reaching Atri Mahamuni's Ashram. Whereat, his wife Anasuya narrates Sita a story of an ardently devoted wife Sumathi. Kaushika her husband is a debaucher who is lured by a prostitute Mohanangi. However, Sumathi is always obedient and gives all her belongings. After a while, Kaushika is affected by leprosy when Mohanangi and her mother Nagamani swindle him and throw him out. Now, Sumathi arrives at his rescue, and under the guidance of Anasuya, they go on a pilgrimage. On the way, they reach a kingdom where King Chandrasena gets a divine feeling by seeing Sumathi and giving her hospitality as a brother. Anyhow, Kaushika suspects their relationship and asks Sumathi to undergo an Agni Pariksha test of fire to prove her chastity. Sumathi plunges into the sacrificial fire, and Lord Agni of fire raises her, unharmed, attesting to her innocence. Next, Kaushika visits Chandrasena's court where he burns out of lust viewing a dancer, Madana Manjali. Hence, Sumathi requests Madana Manjali and looking at her devotion towards she agrees to bring him. On that night, Sumathi keeps him in a basket and carries him on her head, while traveling Kaushika's legs hit Sage Mandavya when he curses him to die at sunrise. Angered, Sumathi orders and stops the sunrise, when the entire universe stands still. At that moment, Trimurti's Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva reach Sumathi and try to divert her, but they too are frozen. Knowing it, Trimata's Lakshmi, Parvathi & Saraswati immediately rush to Anasuya and plead with her to protect the universe. At the request of Anasuya, Sumathi takes back her word and Kaushika dies. But with the blessings of Anusuya, Kaushika is rejuvenated as a normal person. At last, Anasuya tells Sita to follow in the footsteps of women like Sumathi. Finally, the movie ends with Sita & Rama continuing their journey.

• Art: Vaali
• Choreography: Vempati
• Dialogues – Lyrics: Samudrala Sr., Samudrala Jr
• Playback: P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vasantha, Swarnalata, L. R. Eswari, Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. B. Sreenivas
• Music: P. Adinarayana Rao
• Editing: N. S. Prakasham
• Cinematography: Kamal Ghosh, C. Nageswara Rao
• Producer: Chinna Rao
• Presenter: Anjali Devi
• Screenplay – Director: Vedantam Raghavayya
• Banner: Chinni Brothers
• Release Date: 5 August 1967

Music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr. & Samudrala Jr.