Pandari Bai was an Indian actress who worked in South Indian cinema, mostly in Kannada cinema during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. She has acted as both heroine and mother to stalwarts such as Rajkumar, M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan. She was the heroine in Rajkumar's debut movie Bedara Kannappa and also Sivaji's debut movie Parasakthi. She has acted in over 1,000 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Bai was honoured by Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu government.
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).
Bhaktha Vijaya is a 1956 Indian Kannada language film directed by Aruru Pattabhi. The film stars Rajkumar and Pandari Bai.
Hari Bhakta is a 1956 Kannada-language film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur. The film stars Rajkumar and Pandari Bai. It had Mynavathi, Narasimharaju, G. V. Iyer, H. R. Shastry playing supporting roles. The movie is based on the life of Pundarika which had earlier been adapted in Tamil in 1944 as Haridas and later in Telugu in 1957 as Panduranga Mahatyam.
Rayara Sose is a 1957 Indian Kannada-language film produced by Pandari Bai and directed by R. Ramamurthy and K. S. Murthy. It stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Mynavathi, H. Ramachandra Shastry, Pandari Bai and Ramadevi. The music of the film was composed by R. Diwakara. This movie has S. Janaki's first released Kannada film song Thaalalentho Shokavega. The movie speaks against the evil practice of dowry. This is Rajkumar's first social drama movie. The movie was based on a Marathi play.
Apoorva Sangama is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Y. R. Swamy. It stars Rajkumar, Shankar Nag and Ambika. The music of the film was composed by Upendra Kumar. The movie saw a theatrical run of 16 weeks. The film was a remake of Hindi film Johny Mera Naam.
Janma Rahasya is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by S. P. N. Krishna. The film stars Rajkumar and Bharathi.
Jaga Mechhida Huduga is a 1993 Indian Kannada-language romance film, directed by H. R. Bhargava. The story is based on the novel Nishaanth, by Sai Suthe. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar, Srinath, Raagini, Lakshmi and Tiger Prabhakar. The film was widely appreciated for its songs and story upon release. Added to Shivaraj kumar successful movies and celebrated 100 days. The songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra duo were huge hits.
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.
Guri is a 1986 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. The film stars Rajkumar, Archana, Mukhyamantri Chandru and Jai Jagadish, while Pandari Bai makes a guest appearance. The music was composed by Rajan–Nagendra. The director remade the movie in Tamil in 1991 as Adhikari - making it the last movie of Rajkumar which was remade in other language.
Bhale Jodi is a 1970 Indian Kannada language drama film written and directed by Y. R. Swamy. It stars Rajkumar in dual roles with Bharathi and Dinesh in other lead roles. The film was based on the story written by Jawar Seetharaman and was produced under Rajkamal Arts banner. The movie was remade in Telugu in 1972 as Bullema Bullodu starring Chalam and in Hindi in 1973 as Jaise Ko Taisa. He appeared as Echchamanayaka in a small drama sequence in the movie.
Hasiru Thorana is a 1970 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur and written by Sundaramma. It stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. The film was released under Sri Indira Movies banner and produced by Y. Anantharama Rao. The film, featuring the soundtrack composed by Upendra Kumar was received well upon release.
Annapoorna is a 1964 Indian Kannada language film directed by Aaroor Pattabhi and produced by actress Pandari Bai. Besides Pandari Bai herself in the title role, the film starred K. S. Ashwath, Mynavathi and Balakrishna in other main roles. Popular star Kalyan Kumar made a brief appearance in the first half of the film while Rajkumar makes an entry after one and a half hour into the movie. He appeared in the role of a lawyer for the first time on-screen. Chi. Udayashankar became full-fledged lyricist for the first time by writing all the songs of this movie. The movie is a remake of Pandari Bai's 1959 Tamil film Aval Yaar which had not performed well at the box-office.
Muriyada Mane is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by G. H. Veeranna, C. R. Basavaraju and S. Gurunath. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Balakrishna. The film has musical score by Vijaya Krishnamurthy. The film was a remake of the Tamil film Bhaaga Pirivinai.
Santha Thukaram is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and produced by B. Radhakrishna. The film stars Rajkumar and Leelavathi with Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and T. N. Balakrishna. The film has musical score by Vijaya Bhaskar. It was named the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada at the 11th National Film Awards. The movie is based on the life of poet-saint Tukaram.
Thejaswini is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by H. L. N. Simha and produced by Pandari Bai. The film stars Rajkumar, Pandari Bai, Rajashankar and Rajasree. The film had musical score by M. Venkataraju. The movie is based on the short story Holathi Kote by Govinda Murthy Desai which was published in the monthly magazine Karmaveera.
Kasidre Kailasa is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language film directed and produced by K. Janakiram. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Vanisri and Pandari Bai. The film has musical score by Satyam.
Amma is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Rajkumar, Bharathi, B. R. Panthulu and M. V. Rajamma. The film has musical score by T. G. Lingappa. In a small drama sequence, he appeared as Babruvahana. In another sequence, the tragic climax of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was adapted on - screen in English with Rajkumar playing the role of Romeo and Bharathi as Juliet.
Mahasathi Anasuya is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, Pandari Bai, Leelavathi, Jayanthi and Vanisri. The film has musical score by S. Hanumantha Rao. Rajkumar portrayed the role of god-sage Narada in the movie.
Anuradha is a 1967 Indian Kannada film, directed by Aruru Pattabhi and produced by Pandari Bai. The film stars Raja Shankar, Jayanthi, K. S. Ashwath and Pandari Bai in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Rajan Nagendra. Dr. Rajkumar appeared as himself in a cameo role in this movie. This was his first guest appearance role in a movie.
