Veera Kesari

Last updated

Veera Kesari
Veerakesari.jpg
Directed by B. Vittalacharya
Produced bySundarlal Nahatha
Doondi
Starring Rajkumar
T. N. Balakrishna
Udaykumar
R. Nagendra Rao
CinematographyRavi
Edited byN. S. Prakasham
Music by Ghantasala
Production
company
Rajalakshmi Productions
Distributed byRajalakshmi Productions
Release date
  • 1963 (1963)
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

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. [1] [2] S. Siddalingaiah was the assistant director of this movie. [3] [4] B. Vittalacharya shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Bandipotu , with N. T. Rama Rao.

Contents

Critics have called it a "clever adaptation of the adventures of Robin Hood" [5] with the core theme of the romantic portion inspired by William Shakespeare 's The Taming of the Shrew . [6] The film had its climax scene in Eastmancolor. [7] The film was a major box office success. Midway through the movie, Vittalacharya, who suffered from typhoid, asked his friend, M. R. Vittal to complete the shoot. Vittal completed a major portion of the shoot including the song Mellusire Savigaana, but refused to be credited as the director. [8]

Story

SaptaSena Maharaja R. Nagendra Rao has lost his legs and administration is taken over by ShooraSimha (Udaykumar). ShooraSimha rules with an iron hand, torturing the masses and quelling rebellions. He has an affair with the palace-courtesan, but aims to marry the princess MandaaraMaala (Leelavathi). Narasimha (Rajkumar), whose uncle (K. S. Ashwath) has gone into hiding, is waging a rebellion against ShooraSimha. K. S. Ashwath, popularly known as Musuku-veera is the hero with a face mask.

K. S. Ashwath's elder brother, H. Ramachandra Shastry though, doesn't agree to the armed fight. things come to a pass, when Narasimha wards off K. S. Ashwath's attempt to kidnap Mandaaramaale.

Giving into his brother's wish, K. S. Ashwath agrees to formally complain to SaptaSena Maharaja. However, ShooraSimha kills both the brothers before they get a hearing in front of SaptaSena Maharaja. Before dying, H. Ramachandra Shastry asks Narasimha to give up the ahimsa-way he had followed all his life and take up cudgels against ShooraSimha's misdeeds.

Narasimha takes over the role of his Uncle's Musuku-veera role, kidnaps MandaaraMaale, makes her aware of the harsh conditions masses brace through. He releases her, once she appreciates the common man's trouble. Romance blooms between MandaaraMaale and Narasimha, much to the chagrin of ShooraSimha.

SaptaSena Maharaja gets wind of ShooraSimha's misdeeds and confronts him. ShooraSimha loses his mind and imprisons SaptaSena Maharaja. The Palace-courtesan makes up a plot of Damsel in Distress, finds the hide-away of Musuku-veera, thus getting ShooraSimha to nab him by sleight. Condemned to prison, Narasimha is to be executed at the same moment as ShooraSimha's ascension to the throne.

In a final showdown, Narasimha escapes from prison, beats ShooraSimha at his own game, bringing peace to the kingdom. SaptaSena Maharaja offers the kingdom and his daughter's hand to NaraSimha. NaraSimha vows to rule the kingdom, purely to offer succour to the masses.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ghantasala. [9]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Dhundu Malli" P. Leela, Ghantasala Ashwath03:40
2"Ellaninagage"P. Leela, GhantasalaAshwath03:18
3"Hareyukkide"P. LeelaAshwath03:02
4"Mellusiree Savigana"Ghantasala, P. Susheela Ku. Ra. Seetharam Shastry03:36
5"O Nama Bharada"P. SusheelaAshwath03:12
6"Prajara Maathanu"Ghantasala, P. SusheelaAshwath03:15
7"Ramalakshmanaranu"Ghantasala, P. SusheelaAshwath02:47
8"Swabhimanadha Nalle"GhantasalaKu. Ra. Seetharam Shastry03:40

Related Research Articles

<i>Sakshatkara</i> 1971 Indian film

Sakshatkara is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Puttanna Kanagal and starring Dr. Rajkumar, Jamuna, Prithviraj Kapoor and R. Nagendra Rao. This was third and final collaboration of Kanagal and Rajkumar. Sundar Krishna Urs was the associate director on the film.

<i>Nyayave Devaru</i> 1971 Indian film

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.

<i>Doorada Betta</i> 1973 Indian film directed by Siddalingaiah

Doorada Betta is a 1973 Kannada-language film directed by Siddalingaiah. The film starred Rajkumar and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. It had Balakrishna, K. S. Ashwath and Sampath playing supporting roles. The film, along with Mooruvare Vajragalu (1973), was Rajkumar's last movie in black-and-white. However, this movie had a few sequences shot in colour. This was also the last film where Rajkumar and Bharathi were seen together. This was also Rajkumar's last collaboration with Siddalingaiah. The film is seen as a landmark in the career of Siddalingaiah. The movie saw a theatrical run of 25 weeks.

Miss Leelavathi is a 1965 Indian Kannada language film directed by M. R. Vittal and written by Korati Srinivasa Rao. It stars Jayanthi as the protagonist, along with Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath, Ramesh and others. The film won the National Award for second best film in Kannada.

<i>Gaali Gopura</i> 1962 Indian film

Gaali Gopura is a 1962 Kannada-language film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film starred Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Leelavathi and R. Nagendra Rao. Actor Udaya Kumar made a brief guest appearance. Acclaimed director Puttanna Kanagal had assisted Panthulu for this film.

<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>Ranadheera Kanteerava</i> 1960 Indian film

Ranadheera Kanteerava is a 1960 Indian Kannada-language historical drama biographical film directed by the editor-turned-director N. C. Rajan and written by G. V. Iyer. It is one of the most popular films of acclaimed Kannada actor Rajkumar, who plays the role of an emperor Kanthirava Narasaraja I of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore, who was fondly named as Ranadheera Kantheerava. The film depicts the life of Kanteerava, who is known for his immense physical strength through wrestling. The film was credited to be one of the most authentic historical films made since it was entirely based on the documents found in the Mysore Palace. The film also stars Udaykumar, Leelavathi, K. S. Ashwath and Sandhya Shantaram in prominent roles.

<i>Mantralaya Mahatme</i> 1966 Indian film

Mantralaya Mahatme is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur, based on the book Sri Raghavendra Vijaya written by Rajaguru Rajacharya, and stars Rajkumar in the role of Raghavendra Swami, a Hindu saint who lived in the 17th century India. Udaykumar, Jayanthi and Kalpana appear in pivotal roles in the film. Dorai–Bhagavan were extensively involved in the production and direction department of this movie. The film is being colorised in wide-screen and set to release in 2022.

<i>Kanyarathna</i> 1963 Indian film

Kanyarathna is a 1963 Indian Kannada language film directed by J. D. Thotan in his directorial debut. It stars Dr. Rajkumar and Leelavathi. The supporting cast features Rajashankar, Balakrishna, Dikki Madhava Rao, Rathnakar and Sowcar Janaki.

<i>Sandhya Raga</i> 1966 Indian film

Sandhya Raga is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by A. C. Narasimha Murthy and co-produced by him along with A. Prabhakara Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and K. S. Ashwath. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh.

<i>Maduve Madi Nodu</i> 1965 Indian film

Maduve Madi Nodu is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani. The film stars Rajkumar, R. Nagendra Rao, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. It is a remake of producer's own Telugu film Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952). The movie was a profitable venture and was declared a super hit.

<i>Bhoodana</i> 1962 film

Bhoodana is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film jointly directed and produced by G. V. Iyer and P.S. Gopalkrishna. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Udaykumar and K. S. Ashwath. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh.

<i>Swarna Gowri</i> 1962 Indian film

Swarna Gowri is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. R. Naidu. The film stars Rajkumar, Krishna Kumari, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by M. Venkataraju. The movie was simultaneously shot in Telugu with the same name by the same producer and director with Kanta Rao and Krishna Kumari in the lead roles.

<i>Sathi Sukanya</i> 1967 Indian film

Sathi Sukanya is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. Puttaswamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Rajashankar. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.

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.

<i>Santha Thukaram</i> 1963 Indian film

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.

<i>Dashavathara</i> (film) 1960 Indian film

Dashavathara is a 1960 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by P. G. Mohan and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Rajashankar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. This film had its climax scene in Eastmancolor.

<i>Chandrahasa</i> (1965 film) 1965 Indian film

Chandrahasa is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by B. S. Ranga and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Narasimharaju. The film had musical score by S. Hanumantha Rao.

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.

<i>Bandipotu</i> (1963 film) 1963 Indian film

Bandipotu (transl. Bandit) is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film directed by B. Vittalacharya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala. Tripuraneni Maharadhi wrote the story and dialogues. The film was produced by Sunderlal Nehataa and Doondy under the Raja Lakshmi Productions banner. Vittalacharya shot the film simultaneously in Kannada as Veera Kesari (1963), with Rajkumar. This film had its climax scene in Eastmancolor.

References

  1. "Veera Kesari". chiloka.com. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  2. "Veera Kesari". in.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  3. R, Shilpa Sebastian (13 December 2019). "Remembering S Siddalingaiah, destined to direct". The Hindu.
  4. https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=HHjYn7vV83c53r-M&v=VizORMob8eY&feature=youtu.be
  5. "Sport and Pastime Vol.17". S.k.gurunathan,Madras-2. 1963.
  6. Khajane, Muralidhara (23 April 2016). "Shakespeare influenced Kannada films too". The Hindu.
  7. "ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಸಾರ್ವತ್ರಿಕತೆ.. | Naadu Kanda Rajkumar Ep 109 | Hariharapura Manjunath - YouTube". YouTube .
  8. "ವಿಜಯನಾರಸಿಂಹರ ಈ ಹಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳದಿದ್ದರೆ ಗಣೇಶ ಚತುರ್ಥಿಗೆ ಕಳೆಯೇ ಇರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ..! | Cinema Swarasyagalu Ep 113". YouTube .
  9. "Veera Kesari Songs". Raaga.com . Retrieved 9 January 2015.