Raja Harishchandra (1918)

This masterfully crafted saga is a homage to the upright King Harishchandra, who almost sacrifices his kingdom for his love of truth. The touching tale opens with a tableau showing the king, his wife Taramati and his young son, to whom he is teaching archery. They go on a hunt and the King blunders into an area controlled by the sage Vishwamitra and his disciple Nakshatra. To atone for his mistake, the king is banished. Three furies appear caught in flames whom Harishchandra tries to rescue. They seduce him into renouncing his kingdom. The king is forced to endure much hardship and suffering. Will he succeed in returning to his former glory? Or, will circumstance force him to compromise on his integrity and honesty?