Acting
Devdas, the son of a zamindar, and Parvati, his neighbour's daughter, are childhood sweethearts. However, class and caste differences prevent their marriage. Devdas is sent off to Calcutta, while Paro is married off to an aged rich widower. In Calcutta, as remorse drives him to alcohol, Devdas meets Chandramukhi, a prostitute. All Indian prints of this Bengali version were destroyed in a fire that ravaged New Theatre’s studios. Today, only one copy of the film survives which belongs to the Bangladesh Film Archives. Of that copy almost forty percent is destroyed.
Set during the Pandavas’ exile in the Mahabharata, the story focuses on Draupadi living incognito as a maid-in-waiting named Sairandhari in King Virata’s palace. The arrogant Keechak becomes obsessed with her, prompting Bhima (disguised as a cook) to intervene and kill Keechak to protect her honor.
Geeta then goes to live with her brother, who is not in a financial position to adequately support her. The film's later scenes focus on her husband's attempts at reconciliation, especially after his father passes away and his other wife (through whom he had a son named Charan) also dies. Initially, Geeta is resistant to a reunion, but Charan's subsequent illness ultimately brings the couple back together.
Odia cinema's first feature film is a Ramayana mythological telling of Rama's wedding to Seeta. It shows Rama and Lakshmana coming to the court of King Janaki. Rama must not only lift a huge bow, but also string it and use it if he is to win Seeta's hand in marriage. Rama strings and breaks the bow with his strength.
