Bala Nagamma (1942 film)

Bala Nagamma or Balanagamma (Telugu: బాలనాగమ్మ) is a 1942 Telugu Silver Jubilee film directed by Chittajallu Pullayya and produced by S.S.Vasan. The Bala Nagamma story was one of the most popular Burrakathas. It was one of the early successful films made by Gemini Studios in Telugu and not remade in Tamil. Gemini Studios made an adaptation of this film in Hindi starring Madhubala called Bahut Din Huwe.

The story is about Bala Nagamma, a young princess. The King prays for progeny and is blessed with children, the youngest of them is named Bala Nagamma (Kanchanamala). She is married off to Karyavardi Raju (Banda). She is kidnapped by Mayala Marathi (Govindarajula Subbarao) who turns her into a dog and takes her to his cave. Once there, he tries to take advantage of her. She keeps him away by quoting some Holy Rites and Pujas that she is involved in. She is a prisoner in the cave for fourteen years, during which time the Fakir's mistress, Sangu (Pushpavalli), becomes jealous of his obsession with Bala Nagamma. In the meantime, her son Balavardi Raju grows up and discovers the truth about his mother. He seeks the Fakir out and defeats him.

There are three songs in the film.

According to film historian Randor Guy, Bala Nagamma netted a profit of ₹4 million (US$62,000).