Not just romance, crime, comedy, and action thrillers but politics too have inspired several Kannada filmmakers to showcase the state of affairs on the silver screen.
Published Apr 10, 2023 | 6:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 18, 2023 | 3:49 PM
Major Kannada films inspired by State politics. (Supplied)
With barely 32 days to go for the voters in the state of Karnataka to seal the fate of politicians in the Assembly elections, let’s take a quick look at some of the popular Kannada feature films that are heavily inspired by the State of politics or termed political thrillers in cinematic language.
From silent films to the initial days of talkie movies, Kannada films, like a majority of other Indian languages, were majorly based on mythological characters.
However, it soon started shifting towards social dramas with the focus being family eventually shifting to hero-centric, romantic, and then action subjects before a parallel wave of cinemas started focusing on more important issues reflecting on the lives of ordinary citizens.
A poster of ‘Matadana’. (Supplied)
Talking about citizens, politics plays a huge role in day-to-day life. South First picks some of the top Kannada films that are inspired by real-life social and political scenarios.
This is an adaptation of noted Kannada writer SL Bhyrappa’s novel by the same title Matadana (Voting). Starring Anant Nag, Tara, Avinash, and others, the film is directed by TN Seetharam.
An out-and-out political drama, it throws light on how politics affects the life of an ordinary family through the central character – Ramalinga Gowda, effectively portrayed by Anant Nag.
A poster of ‘Bara’. (Supplied)
With the “new wave Cinema” emerging in India in the 1970s, MS Sathyu’s classic film Bara (Famine) marks an important milestone in the Kannada film industry.
Based on the original story by Jnanpith Awardee, late Dr UR Ananthamurthy, Bara sheds light on the dark side of politics/politicians who manipulate drought in a region for their political gains.
It is touted to be inspired by an actual incident in the drought-hit regions of North Karnataka in the 70s in Karnataka.
Senior actor Anant Nag yet again excels in an impressive role and is ably supported by CR Simha, Shivaram, M V Narayan Rao, BG Kumbar, and Lavli Madhu.
The film, with Karnataka politics as its theme, went on to win the national award for best Kannada film for that year.
A poster of ‘Marana Mrudanga ‘. (Supplied)
This one’s special as it features one of Karnataka’s popular chief ministers Ramakrishna Hegde.
Released in 1992, Marana Mrudanga (The Drums of Death) is a commercial political thriller where Ramakrishna Hegde plays the CM alongside Malashree and Sunil.
Some portions of the film were shot right in front of the iconic building Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Later, Ramakrishna Hegde did another political drama titled Praja Shakti (The Power of Citizens).
Recently, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa played guest roles in Tajuna and Siddaramaiah in Summer Holidays.
A poster of ‘Chakravyuha’. (Supplied)
A political thriller released1983, Chakravyuha (impenetrable battle formation) gave rise to a Kannada actor with a new avatar alongside stardom – Ambareesh.
Ambareesh forever became a Rebel Star for his angry young man avatar in the film.
The movie is about an unemployed person who is sponsored by politicians to become a police officer and later join in their corrupt work.
Will he do so or is there a dramatic twist to it that is worth watching apart from the songs and fighting sequences?
One of the brilliant masterpieces directed by the late Shankar Nag, Accident is
A poster of ‘Accident’. (Supplied)
considered his best socio-political drama.
It is about a powerful politician’s son who runs over pavement dwellers and his driver is expected to confess to the accident.
A fantastic visual storytelling, the film features Anant Nag as the politician whose son is involved in the accident but does everything to hide the fact for his political gains. Shankar Nag plays an investigative journalist, whereas Ramesh Bhat appears as an honest police officer.
Mokashi penned the script based on a hit-and-run incident that took place in Mumbai in 1980.
The film went on to bag a national award for best film on social issues.
Kiccha: Kannada star actor Kichcha Sudeepa, who recently declared that he is campaigning in support of the BJP in Karnataka in the upcoming elections, acted in this political drama. The title is taken from his popular character Kiccha from his hit film Huchcha.
Aaspota: Based on student politics and caste, the film is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker TS Nagabharana.
Harakeya Kuri: Produced and directed by KSL Swamy, the political drama stars Sahasa Simha’s late Dr Vishnuvaardhan, Prakash Raj, and Geetha.
It’s based on the work of the same title by Jnanpith Awardee Chandrashekara Kambara. The screenplay was written by B Suresha.
Election: It’s produced by Ramu where his wife Malashri played the role of an election commissioner. Om Prakash Rao directed this commercial action venture.
Rajakeeya (Politics): After the success of Golibar, director Shivamani returns with Rajakeeya which revolves around the murder of a lawyer by a prominent politician.
