Chintamani was based on the legendary story of a Sanskrit poet and devotee of Lord Krishna named Bilwamangal. Bilwamangal (Pulipati), a resident of Varanasi, was a Sanskrit scholar, who gets infatuated towards a courtesan called Chintamani (Ramatilakam), a woman of ill-fame. As a result he deserts his wife. However, Chintamani is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and spends most of her time singing bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. His attraction towards Chintamani eventually draws Bilwamangal closer towards Lord Krishna and transforms his life forever. Bilwangal, himself, becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna and pens a monumental Sanskrit work Sri Krishna Karnamritam.