Karunamayudu () is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language biographical film written and directed by A. Bhimsingh. It stars Vijayachander as Jesus of Nazareth. The film won two Nandi Awards, was notable for two song sequences narrating the Birth of Jesus and Entry into Jerusalem, the film was screened at the International Film Festival of India. It was followed by Dayamayudu (1987), starring Vijayachander as Saint Paul, which can considered as a sequel to Karunamayudu. A television series titled Dayasagar (after the Hindi title of the film) aired on DD National, the national public broadcaster, in the 1990s with Vijayachander reprising the role of Jesus Christ. Role in Evangelism in India Directed and produced in India, with all-Indian actors, Karunamayudu was seen by many missionaries as one of the most culturally relevant tools for Christian evangelism in India. In India, many of the villagers encounter a story that they are unfamiliar with: the Life of Christ. The gospel is rendered in their cultural context when the film is shown. Cast Vijayachander as Jesus Vennira Aadai Nirmala as Mary Magdalene A. Bhimsingh as Judas Iscariot Chandra Mohan as Bartimaeus, the Blind man Jaggayya as Pontius Pilate Surekha as Mary Rajasulochana Sumalatha Mukkamala Mikkilineni Dhulipala Raja Babu Padmanabham Giri Babu as Apostle John Sreedhar Tyagaraju Mada Venkateswara Rao Other language titles Hindi - Daya Sagar Tamil - Karunamoorthy English - Ocean of Mercy Kannada - Dayasagara Malayalam - Mishihaacharithram Songs Playback Singers: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jayaram, V. Ramakrishna "Devudu Ledani Anakunda" (Singer: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam) "Kadile Muvvala Sandadilo" (Singer: Vani Jayaram) "Kadilindi Karuna Radham" (Singer: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam) "Paripoorna Kreestu" "Puvvulakanna Punnami Vennelakanna" (Singer: V. Ramakrishna) Awards Nandi Awards Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Vijayachander Best Screenplay Writer - Modhukuri Jhonson References External links Dayasagar Website Actor Vijayachander interview explaining history, making of movie 'Karunamayudu' 1978 films 1970s Telugu-language films Films directed by A. Bhimsingh Film portrayals of Jesus' death and resurrection Biographical films about Jesus Films set in Palestine (region) Films set in Jerusalem Films set in ancient Egypt Films set in the Roman Empire Films set in the 1st century Films shot in India Portrayals of the Virgin Mary in film Religious epic films Portrayals of Mary Magdalene in film Films based on the Bible Film series based on the Bible Films based on the New Testament Films based on the Gospels Films about Christianity Films about the Nativity