Kasturi Nivasa

Kasturi Nivasa
DVD cover
Kannadaಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ನಿವಾಸ
Directed byDorai–Bhagavan
Screenplay byDorai–Bhagavan
Story byG. Balasubramanium
Produced byK. C. N. Gowda
Starring
Baby Rani
Cinematography
  • B. Dorairaj
  • Chettibabu
  • N. G. Rao
Edited by
  • Venkataram
  • Kalyan
Music byG. K. Venkatesh
Production
company
Anupam Movies
Release date
  • 29 January 1971 (1971-01-29)
Running time
152 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada
Budget₹3.75 lakh[1]

Kasturi Nivasa (transl. House of Fragrance) is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language drama film written and directed by the director duo Dorai–Bhagavan based on a story by G. Balasubramanium which was loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's play Timon of Athens.[2] It was produced by K. C. N. Gowda under the banner of Anupam Movies. The film stars Rajkumar as Ravi Varma, an extremely generous man, who succumbs to his intention of being generous no matter what happens. It also features Jayanthi, K. S. Ashwath and Aarathi in supporting roles.[3]

After Balasubramaniam wrote the story exclusively for Sivaji Ganesan, director K. Shankar and producer Noor were impressed. Sivaji Ganesan however refused citing that the film had a tragic ending. In early 1971, Chi. Udayashankar and S. P. Varadaraj chanced upon the project. Eventually, they coaxed Dorai–Bhagavan to listen to the story. Upon hearing the story, they agreed on making the film with Rajkumar in the lead role. They bought the rights of the film for ₹38,000. The film was bankrolled by K. C. N. Gowda.[1] It features original songs composed by G. K. Venkatesh, while the filming was done by B. Dorairaj, Chettibabu and N. G. Rao.[4]

Expectations for Kasturi Nivasa were low. Upon its release on 29 January 1971, initial response was tepid, but favorable word-of-mouth publicity and positive critical response helped it to become a box office success, with a theatrical run of 100 days in 16 theatres across Karnataka. The film was remade in Hindi as Shaandaar (1974),[5] and in Tamil as Avandhan Manidhan (1975).[6] The film's soundtrack was well received with the songs Aadisidaata and Aadisi Nodu Beelisi Nodu becoming chartbusters.[7]

In 2014, Kasturi Nivasa became the second Kannada film to be digitally remastered and colourised, at an estimated cost of ₹2 crore. The project of colorising the film was taken up by K. C. N. Gowda himself. However, he died midway through the project. After he died, his son, K. C. N. Mohan took over the project.[8] The updated version was released on 7 November 2014 in over 100 theatres in Karnataka. It was a commercial success that generated mostly positive reviews.[9][10]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference hindu was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Puttaswamy, K. (4 March 2023). "How Dorai-Bhagavan conquered the family drama genre". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Kasthuri Nivasa – ಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ನಿವಾಸ (1971/೧೯೭೧)". Kannada Movies Info. 25 December 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  5. ^ "On Sanjeev Kumar's 81st birthday, a look at why he remains unparalleled as an actor on the Indian screen". Hindustan Times. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference passed up was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Kasturi Nivasa back in colour". Bangalore Mirror. 3 November 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference toi1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).