Mooga Manasulu (1964)

This multi-layered romantic drama is based on the concept of reincarnation and follows a newly married couple Gopinath (Akkineni) and Radha (Savitri), who are on their honeymoon and traveling in a boat in River Godavari. Gopinath cries to the boatman to stop the boat as there are dangerous whirlpools ahead.

Upon safely reaching shore, Gopinath takes Radha to an old building. The boatman tells them that it belonged to a Zamindar and takes them to their places of burial or Samadhis, which reportedly belong to that of Gopi and Radha. They, then, find an old lady lighting deepam at the Samadhis. Gopinath recognises that she is none other than Gowri from his earlier birth. Gowri too recognises him as Gopi and breathes her last in his hands.

It is then that Gopinath narrates an extraordinary tale to Radha.

Gopi, an orphan lives on River Godavari and carries passengers by boat. Radha is the daughter of a Zamindar (Landlord). She goes to College on the other side of the River. Gopi ferries her to college everyday and devotedly presents her with a chrysanthemum flower habitually. Gowri is a shepherd girl who loves Gopi intensely.

Radha's uncle (brother of Zamindar Suryakantham's wife) is Rajendra (Nagabhushanam). His selfish plans results in the marriage of Radha with Ramaraju. As fate would have it, Ramaraju dies and Radha becomes a widow and comes back to the village. Gopi is deeply disturbed by the unfortunate incident and tries to console Radha.

Their affection is misunderstood by Gowri and villagers who begin accusing them of having an illicit affair. When Gopi comes to know of the gossip, he leaves the village and Radha follows in search of him. The evil Rajendra follows them to try and kill them, but Gowri sacrifices her virginity to save them. However, her sacrifice goes in vain and both Radha and Gopi end up drowning to death in the whirlpools of the river.

After narrating the story, the newly wed couple cremate Gowri beside the Samadhis of Radha and Gopi, before going on their way to leading a happy and blissful life time together.