Rajan–Nagendra were an Indian musical duo who were prominent composers of film music in Kannada and Telugu cinema from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Rajan, along with his brother Nagendra, created a niche for themselves for nearly four decades. The duo scored music for about 375 films, over 200 of them in Kannada and the remainder in other languages like Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, Hindi and Sinhala. They composed innumerable hits, hundreds of melodious tunes in their career spanning four decades. They also hold the record for the longest active musical pair in the industry.
Auto Raja is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language romance film directed by Vijay, based on a screenplay by M. D. Sundar. The film was produced by C. Jayaram under the banner of Sapthaswara Movie Makers. The film stars Shankar Nag and Gayathri in lead roles, while Dwarakeesh, Balakrishna and Leelavathi appear in other supporting roles. The film features original songs composed by the music duo Rajan–Nagendra. The cinematography of the film was handled by S. V. Srikanth. This film is considered as the one of the best romance films in Kannada cinema and has a cult status. The film was significant in heightening the stardom of Shankar Nag. The film was remade in 1981 in Telugu as Taxi Driver starring Krishnam Raju and in 1982 in Tamil with the same name starring Vijayakanth.
Bhale Huchcha is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by Gopal Lakshman. It stars Rajkumar and Aarathi. This film was dubbed into Telugu as Dasara Picchodu and released in 1973.
Naa Ninna Bidalaare is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language horror film directed by Vijay and produced by C. Jayaram. The film stars Anant Nag and Lakshmi. The film was remade in Hindi as Mangalsutra, with Anant Nag reprising his role while Rekha appeared in the role played by Lakshmi. Na Ninna Bidalaare is regarded as one of best horror films of all time in the Kannada film industry. Na Ninna Bidalaare is the first movie where Anant Nag and Lakshmi acted together, later the pair become one of the finest onscreen couples in Indian cinema.
Bayalu Daari is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language film directed and produced by the Dorai–Bhagavan duo. It is based on the novel of the same name by Bharathi Sutha. The film starred Anant Nag, Kalpana and K. S. Ashwath. The film was a musical blockbuster with all songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra considered evergreen hits. Bayalu Daari was the first commercial success for Anant Nag, who had earlier done art films and established him as a leading star in the Kannada cinema with a chocolate hero image. This film was one of the last big hits of Kalpana.
Chandanada Gombe is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Dorai–Bhagavan, and is based on the novel of the same name written by T. R. Subba Rao. The film stars Anant Nag, Lakshmi and Lokesh. It was a musical blockbuster with all the songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra considered evergreen hits. Chandanada Gombe repeated the success of the earlier movie Na Ninna Bidalaare where Anant Nag and Lakshmi acted together for the first time. The success of the movie made Anant Nag and Lakshmi as a household name across Karnataka. The film was remade in Telugu as Ramapuramlo Seetha starring Sujatha in the title role.
Eradu Kanasu is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by the duo Dorai–Bhagavan, and is based on the novel of the same name by Vani. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalpana and Manjula.
Gaali Maathu is a 1981 Indian Kannada-language drama film, directed and produced by the Dorai–Bhagavan duo. It is based on the novel of the same name by Ta. Ra. Su. The film stars Jai Jagadish, Lakshmi, Hema Choudhary and Kokila Mohan.
Giri Kanye is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by the Dorai–Bhagavan duo. It is based on the novel Girikannika by Bharathisutha. The film stars Rajkumar, Jayamala and Vajramuni. The film was a musical blockbuster with all the songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra considered evergreen hits. The movie saw a theatrical run of 25 weeks. Rajinikanth was initially selected to play the villain's role which was eventually played by Vajramuni.
Ibbani Karagithu is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by K. V. Jayaram and produced by Mohan. It is based on the novel of the same name by Saisuthe. The film stars Ananth Nag, Lakshmi, Lokesh and Deepa. It was one of the evergreen superhit movies acted by Anant Nag and Lakshmi. Jaggesh debuted in this movie in a small role.
Janma Janmada Anubandha is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language thriller drama film directed, co-produced and scripted by Shankar Nag. The film has an ensemble cast including Anant Nag, Shankar Nag, Jayanthi, Jayamala and Manjula.
Mududida Tavare Aralithu is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film, directed by K. V. Jayaram. It is based on the novel of the same name by Chitralekha. The film stars Ananth Nag, K. S. Ashwath and Lakshmi.
Gayathri Maduve is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by B. Mallesh and produced by Lakshman. The film stars Anant Nag, Ambika, Roopadevi and Tiger Prabhakar. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.
Ramapurada Ravana is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Rajachandra and produced by C. Jayaram and G. Radhakrishna. The film stars Anant Nag, Aarathi, Geetha and Thoogudeepa Srinivas. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. The film was remade in Tamil as Naam Iruvar.
Vasantha Geetha is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film, directed by the Dorai–Bhagavan duo. The film stars Rajkumar, Gayathri and Master Lohith.
Madhura Sangama is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by T. P. Venugopal, starring Anant Nag, Radha Saluja and Ashok. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. One of the early multi-starrers of Kannada cinema. The movie had extended cameo appearances by a galaxy of stars in the Kumara Rama ballet.
Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy film, directed by C. V. Rajendran and produced by Dwarakish. The film stars Srinath, Shankar Nag, Dwarakish and Manjula and Padmapriya. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. It is a remake of the 1964 Tamil film Kadhalikka Neramillai.
Jeevakke Jeeva is a 1981 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by K. S. R. Das and produced by S. V. Srikanth. The film stars Anant Nag, Shankar Nag, Saritha and Dwarakish. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. The movie was a big hit at the box office.
Narada Vijaya is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed and co-produced by Siddalingaiah. The story is written by M. D. Sundar. The film starred Ananth Nag, Padmapriya, Hema choudhary and M. P. Shankar.
Bidugadeya Bedi is a 1985 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Dorai–Bhagavan, based on the novel of the same name by Ta Ra Su. The film stars Anant Nag and Lakshmi.
