The film visualises an enduring legend of the deity Krishna who vanquishes the serpent Kaliya. The young Krishna is played with delightfully light feet by Mandakini Phalke, the daughter of the director. As she emerges victoriously from the depths of the river Kalindi, she gently dances on the many heads of the serpent. This tradition of females playing Krishna is not an uncommon one in several performance practices of the Indian subcontinent. Of the original 6,000 feet of the film, only 4,441 feet survive.

With Mandakini Phalke

Mandakini Phalke (born 1912) was the daughter of D.G. Phalke, who was considered the foremost pioneer of the silent cinema era in the Indian subcontinent. At the age of seven, she was the first female child star in Indian cinema. She appeared as Krishna in two films.

Films with Mandakini Phalke
Shri Krishna Janma 1918