T S Nagabharana is one Kannada director, who bridges art and commercial films well. The filmmaker, who directed blockbusters like Janumada Jodi and Nagamandala, has won nine National Awards and scores of state awards.
Nagabharana is the only Indian film director to have won two National Awards for National Integration (Grahana in 1978 and Santa Shishunala Sharifa in 1990). He achieved the feat for the third time when his historical film, Kallarali Hoovaagi, based on a novel of the same name by B L Venu, was declared Best Film under the category.
The film harks back to the regime of Madakari Nayaka (Ambarish) the ruler of Chitradurga district in the 18th century, who belonged to the Palegara dynasty. The love story between a wandering youth Vijaya Raghavendra and a Muslim girl, Uma Maheshwari causes an uproar between Madakarinayaka and Hyder Ali, the ruler of Old Mysore province.
The 55-year old filmmaker, known for his many popular television serials like Sankranthi, Namma Nammalli and Jeevanamukthi, is presently directing Namma Yejarmaanaru with Dr Vishnuvardhan, Vijaya Raghavendra and Navya Nair.
The talented filmmaker talks to R G Vijayasarathy about his films and more.
In the picture: A still from Kallarali Hoovaagi.
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