| Ranadheera Kantheerava | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | N. C. Rajan |
| Written by | G. V. Iyer |
| Screenplay by | G. V. Iyer |
| Story by | G. V. Iyer |
| Produced by | Rajkumar G. V. Iyer Narasimharaju Balakrishna |
| Starring | Rajkumar Leelavathi K. S. Ashwath Udaykumar Balakrishna |
| Cinematography | B. Dorairaj |
| Edited by | N. C. Rajan |
| Music by | G. K. Venkatesh |
Production company | Kannada Chalanachitra Kalavidara Sangha |
| Distributed by | Ramesh Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
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.[1] 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[2] since it was entirely based on the documents found in the Mysore Palace.[3] The film also stars Udaykumar, Leelavathi, K. S. Ashwath and Sandhya Shantaram in prominent roles.[4]
The film was released at a time during the severe crisis in the Kannada film industry due to the financial constraints. It was produced through a co-operative forum called Kannada Chalanachitra Kalavidara Sangha formed by actors Rajkumar, Balakrishna, Narasimharaju and acclaimed writer G. V. Iyer. Thus this was the first venture where Rajkumar turned producer for the film.[5] Post release, the film suffered an initial hitch as no distributor came forward to screen the film.[6] Later it was released in a single theatre — Bharath, and performed well commercially.[7] The film is considered the first blockbuster of Kannada cinema.[8] It was screened at IFFI 1992.
- ^ "GV Iyer Dead". Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "Kannada films for all time". 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Kannada films for all time". 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ Khajane, Muralidhara (21 April 2011). "Lens view". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ "Rajkumar Turns Producer". Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "56 years after activists started protesting against dubbed films: Sandalwood has gone Commando - Bangalore Mirror". Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ "Parvarthamma Rajkumar Column 4". Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF) Archived 21 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Oxford University Press. p. 486. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.