Ushering the era of historicals in Kannada cinema

Suddenly, the film industry seems to be interested in historical figures. Madakari Nayaka is the man of the season

Karnataka : Chitradurga : 13 /10/2018 . Shri Shivamurthy Muruga Sharana along with Kannada Cine Actor and Director Rockline Venkatesh and Darshan taking part in 'Souhardha Nadige Sharana Samskrutji Kadege - 2018' jatha in Chitradurga on Saturday.

Following success of historical and mythological films in the neighbouring film land, Kannada film industry appears to have started digging into history and mythology to find subjects suitable to “reigning stars” of Kannada industry. While multilingual Kurukshetra, starring Darshan is all set to hit the screens, it appears producers and film makers, have grand plans to take forward this trend for a while more.

Interestingly, all of them zeroed upon Madakari Nayaka-V (1758-1779), a brave soldier and a shrewd administrator, who fought against Hyder Ali of Mysore.

While veteran film maker S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu is all set to make

Gandugali Madakari Nayaka for Rockline Venkatesh based on the script by B. L. Venu, who is considered to be an authority on Nayakas of Chitradurga, Kichcha Sudeep, who did

Veera Madakari ( a Telugu remake of Vikramarkudu) in 2009, is planning to make

Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka , following a request from the Swamiji of Valmiki Trust.

According to film industry sources, Sudeep has grand plans to make Raja Veera Madakari -multilingual with the support of Valmiki Trust to highlight the role of Nayakas in the history of Karnataka. A film on

Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka has been in the offing for a long time. At the same time it is said that noted music composer Hamsalekha is also planning to make a film based on B.L. Venu’s novel.

Unfortunately, the competition between two stars to essay the role of Madakari Nayaka turned out to be caste v/s cast controversy.

Regretting the intervention of caste and at the same time try to maintain distance from the controversy, Sudeep welcomed the efforts of Rockline Venkatesh to make the movie. In a statement he said that if two films are being made on Madakari Nayaka, it shows the respect land has for the great historical figure. Appealing to those triggering controversy, he asked them to divert their attention to real important issues, instead of igniting caste passions.

Interestingly, while Sudeep is being backed by Valmiki Muth, Darshan, it appears to be enjoying the support of Murughamuth of Chitradurga. Besides visiting Murugha Muth of Chitradurga and getting the blessings of Shivamurthy Murugasharana, Darshan inaugurated the Sharana Samskurthi programme open on Saturday. He was accompanied by the producer Rockline Venkatesh, director S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu, veteran actor Srinivasa Murthy and writer B.L. Venu. As of now, two films on Madakari Nayaka will go on floor in 2019 and will be released in 2020.

CHENNAI TAMILNADU 21/07/2016 The Hindu (Tamil) Special Interview Actor Sudeep PHOTO L_SRINIVASAN சினிமா: தமிழ்நாடு: 21-07-2016: நடிகர் சுதீப். படம்.எல்.சீனிவாசன்.

However, it is not the first time Kannada film industry is witnessing caste v/s cast conflict. When Dr. Rajkumar was chosen for the role of saint Raghavendra Swamiji for Mantralaya Mahatme by T.V. Singh Thakur in 1966, there was an objection from the Madhwa community. They were against a non-vegetarian playing the role of Mantralaya seer. However, Dr. Rajkumar gave up non-vegetarian food and lived like a saint during the entire shoot of the film. The film continues to be a landmark film in Kannada cinema. Actor Srinath also essayed the role of the seer Raghavendra in Raghavendra Vaibhava (1980), the role brought Srinath Karnataka State Film Award as best actor.

Darshan, who recently visited the fort of Madakari Nayaka, admitted that he doesn’t have in-depth knowledge about history. It was the veteran actor, Srinivasamurthy, who persuaded him to accept that role.

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Chitradurga fort and stories surrounding it has been well depicted in Kannada literature and in Kannada cinema because of writers like Ta. Ra. Subba Rao, and novelist B. L. Venu.

Influenced by the Pragatisheela movement of Kannada literature led by Aa. Na. Krishnaraya, he wrote many historical novels based on the life of Nayakas of Chitrudruga. Durgastamana, on the fall of Nayaka rule in Chitradurga, was his last novel, which won him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award in 1985. His triology Kambaniya Kuyilu , Rakta Ratri Tirugubana -based on Chitradurga’s history are vastly read and attempts were made to make the trilogy into a film by noted film maker, Nagabharana.

Veteran film makers have attempted to visualise Madakari Nayaka on the celluloid from the past few decades. The first attempt to bring Madakari Nayaka on celluloid was made by noted film maker, Siddalingaiah.

A decade later, after getting a firm footing in Kannada cinema, Nagabharana planned to make Gandugali Madakari Nayaka in 1992 and worked on a detailed script. At the same time he was enthused by the valour of Bharamappa Nayaka (1689-1721), the last of the great Nayakas. However, for various reasons, Nagabharana could neither do a film on Madakari Nayaka nor on Bharamanna Nayaka. . After a gap of two decades film makers are now revisiting Madakari Nayaka.