Bangaarada Manushya is a 1972 Indian Kannada language film based on T. K. Rama Rao's novel of same name. Ramarao was known for his crime and detective novels, but this film was a social drama. It was directed by S. Siddalingaiah under the banner Srinidhi Productions. Prior to this, Siddalingaiah had worked with Dr. Rajkumar in Mayor Muthanna, Baalu Belagithu, Namma Samsara, Thayi Devaru, Nyayave Devaru. It stars Dr. Rajkumar and Bharathi. The film was screened for over two years at the States Theatre in Bangalore and was screened for sixty weeks in Chamundeshwari theatre in Mysore, the film Completed one year in many centres and twenty five weeks in every major and minor centre. The movie saw a 25 weeks run when it was re-released in 1988. Bangaarada Manushya is an iconic all-time classic in Kannada Cinema, according to many movie buffs.
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Babruvahana is the son of Arjuna, a Pandava prince, and Chitrangada, the princess of Manipura (Mahabharata). Babruvahana was adopted as the heir of Manipura by his maternal grandfather, Chitravahana, and later reigned at the kingdom.
Bahaddur Gandu is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by A. V. Sheshagiri Rao, starring Rajkumar, Jayanthi, Aarathi and Vajramuni. The movie saw a theatrical run of 19 weeks. The story was penned by the celebrated playwright H. V. Subba Rao based on William Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew.
Satya Harischandra is a 1965 Indian Kannada epic film directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by K. V. Reddy. It stars Dr. Rajkumar in the lead role, as Harishchandra, an Indian mythological king, who was renowned for upholding truth and justice under any circumstance. The film is based on poet Raghavanka's work, Harishchandra Kavya. The supporting cast features Udaykumar, Pandari Bai, Narasimharaju, M. P. Shankar, K. S. Ashwath and Baby Padmini. This was the second Kannada movie based on king Harishchandra, the first one being the 1943 movie Satya Harishchandra.
Keelu Gurram is a 1949 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram under the Sobhanachala Pictures banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala. The film marks the debut of Ghantasala as a composer who would later become a noted composer and playback singer.
Ilavelpu (transl. Deity) is a 1956 Telugu-language drama film, produced by L. V. Prasad under the Lakshmi Productions banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and Jamuna, with music composed by Susarla Dakshina Murthy. The film is a remake of the Tamil film Edhir Paradhathu (1954). The film was a box office hit.
Rajasree, also known as Rajasri or Rajashri, is an Indian actress active from 1956 to 1979. She is particularly famous for her portrayal as a princess in several folklore Telugu movies opposite N. T. Rama Rao and Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao and for acting alongside Ravichandran in the Tamil comedy films Neeyum Naanum, Kadhalikka Neram Illai and Delhi Mappilai. Notable among Rajasri's roles in non-folklore social films in Tamil are as Nimmi in the Tamil hit comedy film Kaadhalikka Neramillai, remade as Preminchi Choodu in Telugu, as movie star Bhama in Tamil film Bama Vijayam. She was credited as Gracy in the Malayalam movies she starred in her career since her debut film Bharya (1962), directed by Kunchako. Rajasree went on to do 200 films spread across the languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi from beginning of 1956 to 1979.
Sodari is a 1955 Indian Kannada-language film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur. The film stars Pandari Bai, Narasimha Raju and Rajkumar. The music for the film was composed by Padmanabha Shasthri. The story of the film is based on the life of Hemavati, the pious wife of King Kailasanatha. She faces numerous hardships along with her children when Kailasanatha loses his kingdom due to a drought. The actress M. Jayashree plays a negative role of Chanchaladevi, a cunning relative of Hemavati. The movie is based on GV Iyer's stage play Anna Thangi which was based on the popular legend of Nalla Thangaal whose story had earlier been adapted in Malayalam in 1950 as Nalla Thanka and later in Tamil as Nalla Thangal (1955).
Bhakta Kumbara is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language biographical film directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajkumar and Leelavathi. Actress Sridevi essayed the role of Muktha Bai, thereby the latter making her Kannada film debut. The film was produced by N. R. Anuradha Devi under Lakshmi Film Combines. Bhakta Kumbara marked the eighth collaboration between Dr. Rajkumar and director Hunsur Krishnamurthy.
Abba Aa Hudugi is a 1959 Indian Kannada-language film written, directed and produced by H. L. N. Sinha based on his own play of the same name. It stars Rajashankar in his debut role, Rajkumar in an extended cameo along with Narasimharaju, Mynavathi and Pandari Bai. It is considered a landmark film in Kannada cinema. Critics have noted that the theme of the movie is loosely based on William Shakespeare 's The Taming of the Shrew. The film was dubbed in Tamil with the title Mangaikku Maangalyame Pradhaanam and was released in 1960. Dialogues were written by S. A. Subbaraman. Jeevan composed the music; while Puratchidasan wrote the lyrics. In short, this film also marked the only Kannada film for Malayalam actress Sukumari.
Jaga Mechhida Maga is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced & written by S. Bhavanarayan. It starred Rajkumar and Bharathi. Satyam scored and composed the music to the lyrics written by Hunsur Krishnamurthy.
Vidhivilasa is a 1962 Kannada language swashbuckler film directed by S. V. Mahesh. The film stars Rajkumar, Leelavathi and K. S. Ashwath. The film is based on the story of a King who confronts destiny (fate), which appears to him in the form of a young lady, by challenging it on how he would die. The King tries in vain all means at his disposal to prevent events that destiny foretold would happen. Finally, destiny wins, employing a twisted turn of events. The film has musical score by T. Padman. The story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics were written by H. L. Narayana Rao who happens to be the father of actor Vishnuvardhan.
Devara Gedda Manava is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by Y. V. Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, M. P. Shankar, Narasimharaju and Mikkilineni. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. Rao and Krishnamurthy shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Devuni Gelichina Manavudu starring Kanta Rao.
Veera Kesari is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by B. Vittalacharya and produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and Doondi. The film stars Rajkumar, T. N. Balakrishna, Udaykumar and R. Nagendra Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. S. Siddalingaiah was the assistant director of this movie. B. Vittalacharya shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Bandipotu, with N. T. Rama Rao.
Rathna Manjari is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and D. Puttaswamy. The film stars Udaykumar, Narasimharaju, K. S. Ashwath and C. V. Shivashankar. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. H.R. Bhargava was the assistant director of this movie. The movie was dubbed in Telugu as Maya Mohini. It was dubbed in Tamil with the same title and released in 1962.
Valmiki is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by C. S. Rao and produced by S. K. Habeebulla. The film stars Rajkumar, Kantha Rao, Narasimharaju and Rajanala Kaleswara Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. The movie is based on the life of Valmiki.
Veera Kankanam is a 1957 Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by T. R. Sundaram under the Modern Theatres banner and directed by G. R. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari, Jamuna and music composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi. The film is a remake of the 1950 Tamil Historical fiction film Manthiri Kumari.
Simharasi is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by V. Samudra and produced by R. B. Choudary. It stars Rajasekhar and Sakshi Shivanand. It is a remake of the Tamil film Maayi.
Mysore Narasimhachar Lakshmi Devi, known as M. N. Lakshmi Devi, is a veteran film artist in Kannada films. She is from Chintamani and has had a career of 7 decades, she made her debut in Srinivasa kalyana(1952) movie and has acted nearly in 1000 films. Devi is known for the movies "Bhakta Kanakadasa"(1960), "Bangaarada Manushya"(1972), "Veera Kesari"(1963) and many more.
D. Shankar Singh was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, exhibitor and a freedom fighter during the British rule in India. Singh, along with B. Vittalacharya co-found the "Mahatma Pictures", a production venture in 1946, that has produced over a hundred Kannada films. The very first film to release under this banner was Krishnaleela in 1947. His first directorial project was Jaganmohini in 1951. The film is recorded in history as one of the first Kannada films to have screened for over 100 days in cinema halls.
