Chintamani (1937 film)

Chintamani Tamil is a 1937 Tamillanguage film directed by Y. V. Rao starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Serugulathur Sama and Aswathamma. It was the first Tamil film to run for a year in a single theatre.

Initially, the director Y. V. Rao, wanted to play Bilwamangals role himself. However, he changed his mind and acted as Bilwamangals companion Manoharan. Serugulathur Sama was another contender for the main role. But, Rao rejected him in favor of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar who was signed to play the part. In the initial stages, more publicity was given to the Kannada actress Aswathamma who played Chintamanis role than M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Her name was mentioned above that of Bhagavathars in the credits.Chintamani was based on the legendary story of a Sanskrit poet and devotee of Lord Krishna named Bilwamangal M. K. Thyragaraja Bhagavathar. Bilwamangal, a resident of Varanasi, was a Sanskrit scholar, who gets infatuated towards a courtesan called Chintamani Aswathamma, a woman of illfame. As a result, he deserts his wife. However, Chintamani is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna Serugalathur Sama and spends most of her time singing bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. His attraction towards Chintamani eventually draws Bilwamangal closer towards Lord Krishna and transforms his life forever. Bilwangal, himself, becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna and pens a monumental Sanskrit work Sri Krishna Karnamritam. ........

Source: Wikipedia