Sairandhri (1932)

Sairandhari is a 1933 Marathi film based on an episode from the Mahabharata and directed by V. Shantaram. Produced by Prabhat Film Company, it has been cited as one of the 21 "most wanted missing Indian treasures" by P K. Nair, the National Film Archive of India founder. The film was a bilingual made as Sairandhari in both Marathi and Hindi. The music composer was Govindrao Tembe. The cast included Master Vinayak, Leela, Prabhavati, Shakuntala, G.R. Mane, Nimbalkar and Shankarrao Bhosle.

It is The first Indian colour film. The film was shot on Agfa B&W 35-mm negative. The release prints were made in Germany by Bipack colour printing process.

The film revolved around an incident from the Mahabharata and told the story of Draupadi as Malini/Sairandhari (female servant), the thirteenth identity she took in order to remain safe and hidden from the Kauravas.

Synopsis

The story is about the twelfth of the thirteen years of the Pandavas exile. Draupadi in her identity as Sairandhari (female servant) is acting as the maid-in-waiting to Queen Sudeshna. They are in King Virata's palace in Matsya. Kichaka, King Virata's brother-in-law and Sudeshna's brother is an arrogant man who believes that King Virat rules his kingdom because of him. He sees Sairandhari and orders his sister to send Sairandhari to his palace. When she reaches Keechak's palace Bhima who is disguised as the palace cook, arrives to save her and slays Kichaka.