Markandeya is a 1935 Tamil film directed by K. Ramnoth and Murugadasa.
The movie presents the mythological story of Markandeya, the son of Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati. They pray to Shiva for a son, who grants them a choice: either a gifted but short-lived child or one with longevity but lesser intellect. They choose the former, resulting in Markandeya's birth.
Markandeya grows up as an exemplary devotee of Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, he fulfills his destiny for death at that age. He continues to worship Shiva in his aniconic form (Shivalingam), and the messengers of Yama are mentioned.
The film is based on the mythological story of Markandeya, bringing the legendary tale to the silver screen during the early years of Indian cinema.