Ratnamala is a 1948 Telugu-language film, produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. It stars Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao , with music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Plot Simhakethu, the ruler of Kancheepuram, is on the lookout for a suitable bridegroom for his daughter, Rathnamala. Chandrachooda, the king of Sonapura, is blessed with a son, but with a curse; to survive, before it reaches the 16th month, the child should be married to a 16-year-old girl. His minister goes on a bride hunt and reaches Kancheepuram. He shows them his own son's portrait and not that of the child prince. Rathnamala agrees to marry him. However, the minister says that, according to tradition, her marriage has to be performed with a sword. On entering the room, Rathnamala is shocked to see a child instead of the handsome youth she had seen in the portrait. The minister's son explains to her why they had to do that. She leaves the palace along with her child "husband" and goes into a forest. Unaware of all this and finding Rathnamala missing, her father imprisons Chandrachooda, his minister, and the minister's son, and then sends his men in search of his daughter. An elderly couple shelter Rathnamala in the forest. Years pass by. The child, Chandrakanth, now seven years old, is kidnapped by a gang. Rathnamala goes in search of him. Dhoomakethu, her affectionate uncle who came in search of her locates her, and bring her back to Kancheepuram. In a fit of anger, the King, unable to get the truth from his daughter, orders her to be hanged. The minister's son reveals the truth to prove that Rathanamala is innocent. Chandrakanth lands up there. The old couple who had sheltered Rathnamala is none other than Lord Shiva and Parvathi, with whose boon Chandrakanth turns into a young man. The King performs Rathnamala's marriage with him. Cast Bhanumathi as Ratnamala Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Chandrakanth Govindarajula Subba Rao as Simhakethu C. S. R. as Dhoomakethu Suryanarayana as Chandrakanth Aarani Satyanarayana Nyapati Raghava Rao as Lord Siva Sitaram Hemalatha Baby Sumithra Crew Art: D. S. Godgaonkar Choreography: Vedantam Raghavayya Dialogues - Lyrics: Samudrala Sr Playback: Ghantasala, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, K. Jamuna Rani, C.S.R., Baby Sarojini Music: C. R. Subburaman Editing: V. S. Narayanan Cinematography: P. S. Selvaraj Presenter: Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Producer - Screenplay - Director: P. S. Ramakrishna Rao