''Sakunthala'' is a 1932
Telugu-language
Telugu (; , ) is a Dravidian language native to the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is also the official language. Spoken by about 96 million people (2022), Telugu is the most widely spoken member of the Dravidian langua ...
film directed by
Sarvottam Badami
Sarvottam Badami (1910–2005) was an Indian film director of Hindi, Telugu language, Telugu, and Tamil language, Tamil films. He started his career as a sound recordist for the first talkie in India, ''Alam Ara'' (1931). In 1948 he helped set ...
. Produced by Select Pictures, it was based on the renowned play ''
Abhignana Sakuntalam'' by
Kalidasa
Kālidāsa (, "Servant of Kali"; 4th–5th century CE) was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy. His surviv ...
, the film features
Surabhi Kamalabai
Surabhi Kamalabai (1913–1977) was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu theatre and Telugu cinema. She has the distinction of being the first Telugu actress in a Sound film, talkie film with ''Bhakta Prahlada (1932 film), Bhakta Prahlada'' (1 ...
in the titular role of
Sakuntala and
Yadavalli Suryanarayana
Yadavalli Suryanarayana (1888–1939) was an Indian actor and thespian known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He made his transition from theater to cinema in 1932. He contributed to the Telugu theatre for over three decades.
E ...
as
Dushyanta
Dushyanta (, ) is a king of the Chandravamsha (Lunar) dynasty featured in Hindu literature. He is the husband of Shakuntala and the father of Bharata. He appears in the Mahabharata and in Kalidasa's play, Abhijnanashakuntalam ().
Legend
Acc ...
.
It is among the first ten
talkie films made in Telugu cinema.
An advertisement promoted it as, "another extraordinary Telugu talkie for the Andhra region, surpassing even the grandness of ''
Paduka Patabhisheka''."
Notably, ''Sakuntala'' marked the beginning of comedic roles in Telugu cinema. It features fishermen who catch a fish that has swallowed Sakuntala's ring, leading to humorous interactions.
Cast
Source:
*
Surabhi Kamalabai
Surabhi Kamalabai (1913–1977) was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu theatre and Telugu cinema. She has the distinction of being the first Telugu actress in a Sound film, talkie film with ''Bhakta Prahlada (1932 film), Bhakta Prahlada'' (1 ...
as
Sakuntala
*
Yadavalli Suryanarayana
Yadavalli Suryanarayana (1888–1939) was an Indian actor and thespian known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He made his transition from theater to cinema in 1932. He contributed to the Telugu theatre for over three decades.
E ...
as
Dushyanta
Dushyanta (, ) is a king of the Chandravamsha (Lunar) dynasty featured in Hindu literature. He is the husband of Shakuntala and the father of Bharata. He appears in the Mahabharata and in Kalidasa's play, Abhijnanashakuntalam ().
Legend
Acc ...
* Bakurapanda Venkata Rao
* Nellore Nagaraja Rao
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, tt0155162
1932 films
1930s Indian films
Indian black-and-white films
1930s Telugu-language films