Karnan
– Embarrassed by the birth of a son, an unwed Kunthi (M.V. Rajamma) instructs her maid to abandon him ..
Embarrassed by the birth of a son, an unwed Kunthi (M.V. Rajamma) instructs her maid to abandon him in the river Ganga. The child is set afloat and is rescued, adopted, and named Karna (Shivaji Ganesan) by Charioteer Adhiratha and his wife, Radha. After maturing he does not want to follow in his foster father's footsteps and wants to be a warrior. Unable to secure the patronage of any Guru due to his parentage, he is assisted by Suryadev and then by Sage Parshuram, and excels in all forms of warfare especially archery. He then befriends Prince Dhuryodhana (Ashokan), will participate in the humiliation of Draupadi - setting the initial grounds of the battle of Kurukshetra - where he will join Dhuryodhana to battle the Pandavas - none other than Kunthi's sons.
Telugu
B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu
Shivaji Ganesan, Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri, Ashokan, Muthuraman
Born with an Armour and ear-rings, and bequeathed as a gift from Surya to an unwed Kunthi (M.V. Rajamma), Karna (Shivaji Ganesan) is abandoned so as to prevent embarrassment for her. He is set afloat in the Ganga, rescued and adopted by a horse-carriage driver, who is employed with Raja Dhritarashtra. Instead of adapting to his foster father's profession, he was more interested in obtaining training as a warrior. Upon being refused, he turned to Suryadev, and learned all aspects of warfare - little knowing that soon he will be befriended by Rajkumar Dhuryodhan (S.A. Ashokan), and be compelled to take up arms against the Pandavas - the sons of none other than Kunthi herself.