Shri Krishnarjuna Yuddham (1963)

Big-budget hit Telugu mythological derived from the Mahabharata. Krishna (NTR) has to confront his disciple Arjuna (Nageshwara Rao) in order to sustain the war. NTR, who made a career playing Krishna roles, here shifts the icon away from the romantic into the warlike, apparently a first in Telugu film. The music of Pendyala and lyricist Pingali was as usual successful, particularly the comedy hit Anchelanchelu sung by B. Gopalam and Swarnalatha.