Directed by B. R. Panthulu
Starring Sivaji Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, S. A. Ashokan, R. Muthuraman, Devika, Savitri, M. V. Rajamma
Music M. S. Viswanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy

STORYLINE
Born with Kavasam and Kundalam (Armour and ear-rings), and bequeathed as a gift from the Sun God to an unwed Kunti (M. V. Rajamma), Karnan is abandoned so as to prevent embarrassment for her. He is set afloat in the Ganga, rescued and adopted by a charioteer, who is employed with Dhritarashtra, the blind king. Years later, the now-grown up Karnan (Sivaji Ganesan) realizes that the charioteer is his foster father only, thus heartbroken. He however masters archery and challenges Arjun (R. Muthuraman) at a contest. When Karnan is insulted on account of his birth, Duryodhan (S. A. Ashokan) defends him and accepts him as his partner. Karnan is eventually crowned the king of Anga. Karnan is keen to acquire the Brahmastra mantra from the great teacher Parasuram. However, he knows that Parasuram gives instructions to Brahmins (the priestly tribe) only. So he disguises as a Brahmin and beseeches Parasuram to accept him as a sishya (disciple). Parsuram accepts him as such and starts giving him instructions. One day when Parasuram is resting in Karnan’s lap, it so happens that a giant bee stings Karnan on the lower portion of his thigh. It was very painful and he starts bleeding. However, fearing that if he moved his legs, he would awaken Parasuram, he does not move at all and continues to suffer. When Parasuram wakes up, he sees Karnan bleeding. He asks Karnan about his true identity, and states that a Brahmin cannot suffer so much physical pain. Only a kshattriya (the warrior tribe) can endure so much discomfort. Karnan is obliged to disclose his identity. Parasuram is greatly enraged, because he is a sworn enemy of Kshattriyas. He therefore curses Karnan that as he had learnt through deceit, he shall forget the vidya (skill) which Parasuram had taught him at the crucial juncture.
Meanwhile, Karnan saves Subhangi (Devika) from an out-of-control chariot, and they fall for each other. However, Subhangi’s parents disapprove of this because they don’t want their daughter to marry someone who doesn’t know about his own parents. However, after some time they accept, so Karnan and Subhangi are happily married. She gives birth to a son Vrishasena…