The story is based on the Sthala Purana of Gokarna Kshetram in Karnataka. The film was released in Tamil as Bhaktha Ravana. Previously, a film was made with the same story casting different artists in Tamil in 1938 and in Telugu in 1940 with the same title which were adaptation of the famous Kannada stage play Bhookailasa by Sri Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Mandali of Mysore.[1]A. V. Meiyappan also shot the movie simultaneously in Kannada as Bhookailasa starring Rajkumar.
Plot
The film begins at Lanka, where its Empire Ravana trounces the Earth and declares to invade Amaravati. Narada keeps posting it to Indra and proclaims Ravana's power secret is devotion to his mother Kaikashi. Every day, she worships Saikathalingam, a sand sculptured Siva at the banks of the sea. So, Indra sabotages Kaikashi's prayers when enraged Ravana pledges to gift Atmalingam, i.e., the Lord's soul, to her and walks on to penance. Midway, Ravana meets Narada and divulges his intention. Hearing it, Parvati discomposes and bows before Vishnu for her husband's consort, who swears to help. Ravana underwent rigorous penance when stirred Siva & Parvati appeared. Vishnu manipulates an illusion that makes Ravana lust for Parvati and asks her, which the Lord grants. Parvati is cognizant of Vishnu's play and curses him to weep by detaching from his wife.
Listening to it, Narada is on cloud nine as a glorifying welcome sign of Ramavatar. Parvati morphs into Bhadrakali, and Ravana is startled when Narada tells him that Siva has endorsed a duplicate. Hence, he withdraws her at Siva and is searching for the original. At this point, Ravana is spotted by Mandodari, the daughter of Mayasura, ruler of Patala, who crushes on him at first sight. Narada poses her as Parvati, so she sets foot in their world. Initially, Mayasura defies the match since he is Vishnu's ardent devotee and Ravana is his antagonist. Narada straightens it out and performs the nuptials of Ravana & Mandodari. Soon after reaching home, Kaikashi questions Atmalingam when he states what happened, and she rebukes him. Learning the antecedents of Mandodari Ravana is violated by Narada, whose angered counsel extracts his illusion. Then, Ravana dies out of repentance and attempts self-sacrifice. Kaikashi bars it, enlightening him to give it another shot with unvarying initiation.
Thus, Ravana moves on and seeks regret before the Lord by decapitating. Elated Siva bestows him Atmalingam and edicts avoid putting it on the ground before landing in Lanka. Narada intends to hinder it and instigates Ganesha, who disguises himself as a Brahmin boy. Amidst, Ravana must fulfill the ritual to Surya when he gets the boy's aid to hold the Atmalingam. The boy stipulates that he will call him thrice and, if not, place it on the Earth. Accordingly, he alarms him thrice and puts it down. Infuriated, Ravana jumps onto Vigneswara, whom Narada pacifies. Next, he struggles his extent to re-extract Atmalingam but fails. Ergo collapses and implores before the statue because he cannot keep up his word. At last, Siva arises with Parvati & Ganesha, proclaiming that the idolatry took place since it is sanctum, and his story will be immortal. Finally, the movie ends by showing the place the public adores as Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna at Karnataka till today.
