Watch Sati Anasuya

Sati Anasuya, released in 1957, is a classic Telugu film which showcases the legendary acting of Anjali Devi and the beautiful Ragini. The movie is set in ancient India, during the time of the Hindu saints and goddesses. Anasuya, played by Anjali Devi, is a pious woman who is highly respected for her devotion to her husband and her unwavering faith in god.

The story begins with the sage Narada visiting the divine trinity- Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. The three of them are discussing who the most virtuous woman on earth is. They decide to test the three most pious women on earth to see who emerges as the most virtuous. Anasuya is one of the women chosen.

The other two women are Ahalya, who is remembered for her soulful devotions and her great beauty, and Draupadi, the heroine from the epic Mahabharata. To test Ahalya, Lord Vishnu disguises himself as her husband after which she is cursed by her real husband, Gautam Rishi. Lord Shiva tests Draupadi, by taking the form of a Brahmin to beg for food when Draupadi had nothing to offer.

The god's themselves arrive at Anasuya's doorstep, disguised as three Brahmins, seeking food and shelter. Anasuya welcomes them with the utmost respect and hospitality and offers them food to eat. They reveal to her their true identities and ask her to give them alms while they are nude. Anasuya, being the devoted wife that she is, agrees to their request but also has a trick up her sleeve. She turns them into babies and puts them in a cradle, nursing and looking after them like a mother. The three gods are so pleased with Anasuya's devotion that they bless her and her husband with eternal youth and happiness.

The rest of the story revolves around how Anasuya's husband, Atri, becomes jealous of her fame and attention from the gods. Atri decides to test Anasuya's loyalty by asking her to prove her chastity by accepting his sexual advances. Anasuya prays to her gods for help and, as she takes off her saree to deliver food to her husband, the gods shower a curtain of divine light to cover her nudity, but Atri realizes his mistake, apologizes, and controls his desires.

The film's highlight is the incredible and legendary acting of Anjali Devi who is revered in Indian cinema for her portrayals of strong and devotional women. Her acting is so convincing that it strengthens the audience's faith in the powers of the divine beings.

The film's music, composed by Chalapathi Rao and S. Rajeswara Rao, is also commendable, with some of the most classic songs of Telugu cinema. The songs are filled with devotional lyrics and showcase the exquisite vocal abilities of the singer P. Suseela.

Overall, Sati Anasuya is a classic film that showcases the cultural values and beliefs of ancient India. The story is beautifully written with rich spiritual connotations and an attention to detail with regards to the gods' mythical personas. The legendary actresses make the film's performances astounding, giving the audience a touching and religious cinematic experience.

Sati Anasuya is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes.