Gunasundari Katha (transl. Gunasundari's story) is a 1949 Indian Telugu language fantasy film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy, starring Sriranjani, Kasturi Siva Rao, Santha Kumari. The script was written by Pingali Nagendra Rao, K. V. Reddy, and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Kameswara Rao was also the associate director. William Shakespeare's play King Lear was the inspiration for the core plot. However the writers changed the tone from the tragedy of King Lear to a more entertaining one for the film. The film was commercially successful.
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Plot
King Ugrasena (Govindarajula Subba Rao) of Dhara Nagaram had three daughters: Rupasundari (Santakumari) who was married to her cousin Haramati (Subba Rao), Hemasundari (Malathi) who was married to her cousin Kalamata (Relangi), and Gunasundari (Sriranjani).
During a discussion, the King asked his daughters who they loved the most. Rupa and Hema told him they loved him the most, even more than their husbands. Gunasundari who is unmarried insists that she will love her husband the most once she is married. She goes on to say that she will love him more than her father regardless of his appearance or physical condition.
The king was offended and forced Gunasundari to marry a hideous and disabled man, Daivadheenam (Kasturi Siva Rao). After the arranged marriage to the ugliest man in the country, the king exiles his daughter to live outside the palace with her new husband whom she now loves more than the king.
Eventually, the King is wounded and develops a chronic illness. His physicians tell him the wound could only be cured with the diamond "Mahendra Mani". The King sends his three sons-in-law on a journey to find the diamond.
Daivadheenam overcomes his disabilities during the quest for "Mahendra Mani". No one knew that Daivadheenam was once a handsome prince who had been cursed by his guru for misconduct and character flaws. While fulfilling the quest of finding the diamond and overcoming his physical limitations Daivadheenam's character was fixed. He then brings the diamond to the palace and cures the king. This breaks Daivadheenam's curse and he is returned to his original form.
Songs
"Sri Tulasi Jaya Tulasi", sung by P. Leela, was a hit with the public.