Krishnasaamy Bhagyaraj is an Indian director, actor, screenwriter, music director, producer and politician active mainly in Tamil films. He has also written and directed Hindi films and TV serials. As an actor, he has worked in more than 75 films and has directed more than 25 films. He won a Filmfare Best Actor Award for Mundhanai Mudichu (1983). He received Lifetime Achievement Award in SIIMA (2014). He is the editor of weekly magazine Bhagya and has also written several novels.
Mahakavi Kalidasa is 1955 Indian Kannada-language film directed by K. R. Seetharama Sastry, in his debut direction. The movie is based on the legends of the poet Kālidāsa. It stars Honnappa Bhagavatar as Kālidāsa, a Sanskrit poet who lived during the 4th and 5th Century CE. It tells the story of how he, an aristocratic young man cursed by his guru with ignorance, goes on to become a great poet. B. Raghavendra Rao, Narasimharaju and B. Saroja Devi features supporting roles. It was remade in Telugu in 1960 as Mahakavi Kalidasu starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao in Tamil in 1966 as Mahakavi Kalidas starring Sivaji Ganesan. This Kannada film was dubbed into Tamil and released in 1956 as Mahakavi Kalidas. At the 3rd National Film Awards, the film won the award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. The film is seen as a landmark in Kannada cinema.
Bangalore Saroja Devi is an Indian actress who has acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. She acted in around 200 films over seven decades. She is known by the epithets "Abhinaya Saraswathi" in Kannada and "Kannadathu Paingili" in Tamil. She is one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema.
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.
Naagarahaavu (transl. Cobra) is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara, and starring Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, K. S. Ashwath and Shubha. The supporting cast features Leelavathi, M. Jayashree, M. N. Lakshmi Devi, Ambareesh, Shivaram, Dheerendra Gopal, Lokanath and Vajramuni. The film has a musical score by Vijaya Bhaskar. Cinematography was done by Chittibabu.
Sadananda Sagar, better known by his stage name Vajramuni, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films. He portrayed negative characters during most of his career and was considered one of Kannada cinema's finest actors. Over his career, he came to be known for his "thundering voice and sterling performance[s]" that earned him the epithets, Nata Bhairava and Nata Bhayankara.
Gejje Pooje is a 1969 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal and produced by Rashi Brothers. The film stars Kalpana, Gangadhar and Leelavathi. Actress Aarathi made her first screen appearance in this film. It is based on the novel of the same name by M. K. Indira. The film was remade in Tamil as Thaaliya Salangaiya, in Telugu as Kalyana Mandapam, and in Hindi as Ahista Ahista.
Bahurani (transl. Daughter-in-law) is a 1963 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Feroz Khan in pivotal roles.
Ardhangi is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by P. Pullayya under the Ragini Pictures banner. It stars Santha Kumari, Savitri, and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Music is composed by Master Venu and B. Narasimha Rao. Acharya Aatreya scripted the film based on Maddipatla Suri's Telugu translation of the Bengali novel Swayamsidda written by Manilal Banerjee. The film was successful at the box office. It has received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and the Filmfare Award for Best Film - Telugu. The film was remade in Tamil as Pennin Perumai and in Hindi as Bahurani (1963).
School Master is a 1958 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Panthulu himself in the lead role along with Dikki Madhava Rao, M. V. Rajamma, Udaykumar, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in important roles. This was the first Kannada film to complete a silver jubilee. The film had its children's dance drama in Gevacolor, taken by cinematographer W. R. Subba Rao. It was later remade in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi in spite of it being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as Engal Kudumbam Perisu and Badi Pantulu respectively.
Abbayigaru is a 1993 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by M. Narasimha Rao under Raasi Movies and directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. It stars Venkatesh and Meena, with music composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film recorded as a Super Hit at the box office.
Nyayave Devaru is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Siddalingaiah. It stars Rajkumar and B. Saroja Devi. The supporting cast features K. S. Ashwath, Aarathi, Dwarakish, M. P. Shankar, Dinesh, B. Jaya and Vajramuni. The song "Akashave Beelali Mele" from the film went on to become one of the biggest hits ever.
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.
B. Puttaswamayya was an Indian novelist, playwright and journalist who wrote in the Kannada language. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award in 1964 for his novel Kranthi Kalyana, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1978 for his plays by the Government of India.
Bangaarada Panjara is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed by debutant V. Somashekhar and co-produced by actor Raja Shankar. It starred Dr. Rajkumar in the lead role along with Aarathi, K. S. Ashwath, Pandari Bai and Lokanath. The movie saw a theatrical run of 25 weeks.
Shankar Guru is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film directed by V. Somashekhar, written by Chi. Udayashankar and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar under the banner of Dakshayini Combines. It stars Rajkumar in the lead role alongside Jayamala, Padmapriya, Kanchana, Balakrishna, Vajramuni, Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Uma Shivakumar in supporting roles. Rajkumar appears in a triple role in the film — as a father and his two sons separated in childhood.
Babruvahana is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajkumar in a dual role as Arjuna and his son Babruvahana, the titular character alongside an ensemble supporting cast that includes B. Saroja Devi, Kanchana, Jayamala, Vajramuni, Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Ramakrishna.
Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, is 1974 Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by Vijay. The film which is based on lord Venkateswara, stars Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi and Manjula. It also featured the first screen appearances of future actors and Rajkumar's sons, Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar. The movie was dubbed in Tamil as Ezhumalaiyan Dharisanam and in Telugu as Sri Tirupatikshetra Mahatyam (1977).
Baala Bandhana is a 1971 Indian Kannada language romantic drama film, directed by Peketi Sivaram. It stars Rajkumar and Jayanthi. It was produced under ALS Productions. It had a very successful soundtrack composed by G. K. Venkatesh. The film was a remake of 1953 Bengali film Jog Biyog which was based on the novel of same name by Ashapurna Devi. Though a hit, it could not meet the success of the Tamil and Telugu remake versions of the same Bengali movie.
Chitthi (transl. Stepmother) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Padmini and Gemini Ganesan. It is based on the play Dayanidhi written by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal. The film was released on 14 January 1966. It was remade in Hindi as Aurat (1967), in Telugu as Pinni (1967), in Kannada as Chikkamma (1969), and in Malayalam as Achante Bharya (1971).
