M. R. Vittal

Last updated
M. R. Vittal
Born
Madakshira Raghavendra Rao Vittal

Nationality Indian
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter

M. R. Vittal was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked primarily Kannada cinema. He directed over 18 films in his career, with most of them being very successful and attaining a cult status. In a career spanning two decades, Vittal won three National Award and three Karnataka State Awards for his films.

Contents

Vittal is considered one of the "doyens" of Kannada cinema and is considered to have "carved a niche in the Kannada film industry by exhibiting a rare insight and boldness" while selecting the themes for his films. [1] Most of his films were based on novels written by eminent scholars. Popular directors such as K. S. L. Swamy and K. V. Jayaram worked as assistant directors under the guidance of Vittal. [2]

Career

Midway through the shoot of Dharma Vijaya (1959), Vittal assumed the responsibilities of directing the movie and completed the shoot but refused to be credited as the director. [3] Similarly, when his friend B. Vittalacharya suffered from typhoid and was unable to complete the shoot of Veera Kesari (1963), he completed the major portion of the shoot including the immensely popular Mellusire Savigana song but refused to be credited as the director. [4] His official first directorial project was the 1963 movie Nanda Deepa . The film starred Rajkumar and Harini and was produced by Vadiraj. Upon release, the film received rave reviews and went on to be considered "an all-time classic" in the history of Kannada cinema. The success got enhanced with the film receiving the prestigious National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada at the 10th National Film Awards. Following this, his next film Mangala Muhurta was released in 1964. This film won the Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film at the 11th National Film Awards.

In 1965, his third directorial Miss Leelavathi based on the late Korati Srinivasa Rao's sensational novel on premarital sex created a sensation for its bold theme. Actress Jayanthi in the protagonist role, found her career break-through with this film. The film for which he wrote the screenplay, again won the Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film at the 13th National Film Awards making his third consecutive win at the National level. His subsequent films Nakkare Ade Swarga , Hannele Chiguridaga and Eradu Mukha won him laurels and awards at the Karnataka State Film Awards.

In the 1970s, Vittal directed films such as Yaara Sakshi, Bala Panjara , Professor Huchuraya and Anna Attige which were commercial hits and fetched him many accolades. His last film was the 1980 film, Varadakshine.

Filmography

YearFilmNotes
1963 Nanda Deepa Won - National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1964 Mangala Muhurta Won - Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film
1965 Miss Leelavathi Won - Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film
1966 Premamayi
1967 Nakkare Ade Swarga Won - Karnataka State Film Award for 2nd Best Film
1967 Manassiddare Marga
1968 Hannele Chiguridaga Won - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film
1969 Margadarshi
1969 Eradu Mukha Won - Karnataka State Film Award for 3rd Best Film
1969Kannu Mucchale
1972Yaara Sakshi
1972 Bala Panjara
1974 Professor Huchuraya
1974 Anna Attige
1975 Koodi Balona
1977Punarmilana
1980Varadakshine

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Rajkumar</span> Indian Kannada film actor, singer (1929–2006)

Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and a versatile actor, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora, among whom he is popularly called as Nata Saarvabhouma, Bangarada Manushya, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1983 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is the only lead actor to win National Award for singing. His 39 movies have been remade 63 times in 9 languages by 34 actors making him the first actor whose movies were remade more than fifty times and the first actor whose movies were remade in nine languages. He was the first actor in India to enact a role which was based on James Bond in a full-fledged manner. The success of his movie Jedara Bale is credited to have widely inspired a Desi bond genre in other Indian film industries. On the occasion of the "Centenary of Indian Cinema" in April 2013, Forbes included his performance in Bangaarada Manushya on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Upon his death, The New York Times had described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannada cinema</span> Indian Kannada-language film industry

Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film Sati Sulochana directed by Y. V. Rao was the first talkie film in the Kannada language. It was also the first film starring Subbaiah Naidu and Tripuramba, and was the first motion picture screened in the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom. The film was produced by Chamanlal Doongaji, who in 1932 founded South India Movietone in Bangalore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishnuvardhan (actor)</span> Indian actor (1950–2009)

Sampath Kumar, known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam language films. Vishnuvardhan has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 220 films. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, and holds the status of a matinée idol amongst the Kannada diaspora. He is popularly called as Sahasa Simha, Dada and The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema. Vishnuvardhan's contributions to Kannada cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of Karnataka honoured him with the Rajyothsava Prashasthi in 1990 and the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his contributions to Kannada cinema. He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. S. Ranga</span>

Bindiganavile Srinivas Iyengar Ranga was an Indian photographer, actor, producer and director who has made many landmark movies in Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil. He was also the owner of Vikram Studios. He has directed and produced about 87 films in these three languages with a maximum of 18 films in Kannada alone starring matinee idol Rajkumar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. Bhimsingh</span> Indian filmmaker, producer, editor, and writer

A. Bhimsingh or Bhim Singh (1924–1978) was an Indian filmmaker who worked predominantly in Tamil cinema. Apart from Tamil, he made films in other languages that include 18 films in Hindi, 8 films in Telugu, 5 films in Malayalam and 1 film in Kannada. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, he started his film career as an assistant editor with the film-making duo Krishnan–Panju in the late 1940s. Later, he became an assistant director before evolving as an independent director. His films mainly dealt with family and relationships. He made a series of films all of which started with the Tamil syllable pa, mainly with Sivaji Ganesan.

<i>Bedara Kannappa</i> 1954 Kannada film by H. L. N. Simha

Bedara Kannappa is a 1954 Indian Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by H. L. N. Simha and written by G. V. Iyer. The film stars Rajkumar playing the title character along with Pandari Bai, Kushala Kumari, G. V. Iyer, Sandhya and Narasimharaju in other prominent roles. The film is an adaptation of the stage play Kaalahasti Charitre written by T. N. Balakrishna for the Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company, which was based on the folk tale of the hunter Kannappa who proves his extreme devotion to the Hindu God Shiva by gouging out both his eyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayanthi (actress)</span> Indian actress (1945–2021)

Kamala Kumari, known by her stage name Jayanthi, was an Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema and Tamil cinema. She was noted for her contributions to different genres of films from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. She had appeared in over 500 films in various languages, including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi.

<i>Bhakta Kanakadasa</i> 1960 film

Bhakta Kanakadasa is a 1960 Indian Kannada language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. It depicts the spiritual journey of Kanakadasa, who was a devotee of the Hindu deity Krishna, and a poet belonging to the Dasa sect. The film stars Rajkumar, Krishna Kumari and Udaykumar in the major roles. This film, officially marked the 100th production/release of Kannada cinema, since its inception in 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalpana (Kannada actress)</span> Indian actress

Kalpana, born Sharat Lata, was an Indian actress who appeared in Kannada films. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare among the film fraternity. She was widely recognised as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fan following and critical acclaim. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 release Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B. R. Panthulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in a few Tamil, Tulu and Malayalam films as well. Many of her successful films were female-centric, giving ample scope for her performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singeetam Srinivasa Rao</span> Indian filmmaker

Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, commonly known as Singeetam, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, composer, and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most versatile directors of India. He is credited with having revolutionised the South Indian cinema with experimental films. He has directed about sixty films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English languages across multiple genres. He has garnered two National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, three Karnataka State Film Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, Rao was honored with Life Achievement Award from the Film Federation of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. Sheshadri</span> Indian film director (born 1963)

Pattabhiramaiah Sheshadri is an Indian film director who works in Kannada cinema. He is known for his films Munnudi, Atithi, Beru, Tutturi, Vimukthi, Bettada Jeeva, Bharath Stores and December-1. He has also worked as a director in various television serials.

Jadalathimmanahalli Krishnappa Srinivasa Murthy, known popularly as Srinivasa Murthy, is an Indian actor and television director. He is mostly known for his work as a director having made many television series in Kannada, beginning in 2001, based on the lives of various Kannada philosophers and poets, and adaptations of the works of popular Kannada writers. As an actor, he is known for his work in Kannada cinema, appearing often in supporting roles. He began his career as a stage artiste in both professional and amateur theatre, before taking to films in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upendra Kumar</span> Indian music composer

Upendra Kumar was an Indian composer who predominantly worked in Kannada and Odia films. He was known for his strong association with Rajkumar and his family and scored some of his career best compositions for the films featuring Rajkumar and his sons. He had scored for 210 films including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Tulu films.

<i>Bangarada Hoovu</i> 1967 Indian film

Bangarada Hoovu is a 1967 Indian Kannada language film directed, written and produced by B. A. Arasu Kumar. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalpana, Udaykumar and Shylashri. The film won many laurels upon release including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. The movie was an adaptation of the play Abhaagini written by the director himself. The movie speaks about the misconceptions regarding leprosy - especially against the superstition that leprosy is a consequence of one's past sins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Nagendra Rao</span> Indian filmmaker, theatre personality

Rattihalli Nagendra Rao was an Indian theatre actor, film actor and director in South Indian cinema. Following his career in theatre, Rao turned to film a where he became an actor, director, producer, screenwriter and occasional composer. He is considered one of the most influential personalities in the history of South Indian cinema.

<i>Hannele Chiguridaga</i> 1968 Indian film

Hannele Chiguridaga is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language film directed by M. R. Vittal and produced by Srikanth Enterprises. The film stars Rajkumar, R. Nagendra Rao and Kalpana. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Triveni and deals with the empowerment of women in education and also issues around widow marriage.

<i>Mannina Maga</i> 1968 Indian film

Mannina Maga is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Geethapriya marking his debut as a solo in film-direction. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalpana and Jayakumari. Produced by Sudarshan Movies banner and written by Geethapriya, the film received rave reviews and went on to win National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada and ran for more than 100 days in cinema halls.

<i>Nanda Deepa</i> 1963 Indian film

Nanda Deepa is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film, directed by M. R. Vittal, making his first venture in film direction. The film was produced and written by actor Vadiraj and co-produced by Jawahar for Sri Bharathi Chitra studio house in its debut production. The film stars Rajkumar and Harini, along with Leelavathi and Udaykumar playing other pivotal roles.

<i>Veera Kesari</i> 1963 Indian film

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. R. Seetharama Sastry</span>

K. R. Seetharama Sastry popularly known as Ku. Ra. Seetharama Sastry or simply Ku. Ra. Si was an Indian actor, writer, lyricist and director in Kannada film industry. After a career in theatre, Sastry's career in films was those of an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, lyricist and an occasional composer. He is considered one of the most influential personalities in the history of Kannada cinema.

References

  1. "Suchitra to bring out books on Kannada film directors during future festivals". The Hindu. 6 January 2008.
  2. "Veteran filmmaker K.S.L. Swamy passes away". Indian Express. 20 October 2015.
  3. "ಎಂ.ಆರ್. ವಿಠಲ್ ಕಂಡ ನಟಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮ | Naadu Kanda Rajkumar Ep 31 | Hariharapura Manjunath". YouTube .
  4. "ವಿಜಯನಾರಸಿಂಹರ ಈ ಹಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳದಿದ್ದರೆ ಗಣೇಶ ಚತುರ್ಥಿಗೆ ಕಳೆಯೇ ಇರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ..! | Cinema Swarasyagalu Ep 113". YouTube .