Nagarahavu Re-release Special: Some Interesting Facts & Anecdotes About This Vishnuvardhan Starrer
36 years ago, a movie with newbies under the strict supervision of legendary director, Puttana Kanagal was released across the state of Karnataka. Little did people back them had expectations on the movie except for the fact that the flick titled Nagarahaavu, was directed by the biggest director of Kannada cinema and bankrolled by one of the prestigious banner, Sri Eshwari Productions, by N. Veeraswamy.

Nagarahaavu is all set to come back into theatres and here are some interesting facts and anecdotes connected with the epic movie.
Background of Nagarahaavu
Puttana
decided
to
combine
three
novels
of
TR
Subba
Rao
to
make
a
single
celluloid
experience.
Nagarahaavu,
Ondu
Gandu
Eradu
Hennu
&
Sarpa
Mathsara.
Though
the
movie
had
some
great
names
in
the
casting
which
included
the
likes
of
KS
Ashwath,
Lokanath,
MN
Lakshmi
Devi,
MP
Shankar,
Dheerendra
Gopal
and
Vajramuni,
the
lead
casting
was
fairly
unknown
to
the
audience
as
the
hero,
heroines
and
the
antagonist
were
debutants.
Stars from the Day 1
Kannada cinema was ruled by just one legendary actor for close to 2 decades without any other actor posing a healthy competition to him. He was Dr. Rajkumar who was revered as the biggest on-screen performer and was a demi-god to his fans. Then entered a young, handsome and a dynamic lad in his early 20s in the form of Nagarahaavu’s Ramachari character.
Sahasa Simha (As he was mononymously later called as) Vishnuvardhan got connected to the audience instantly with his very first movie. Thanks to the writing of Puttana and Vishnu’s striking screen presence and performance.
Vishnu earned an instant fan base with Nagarahaavu which later assisted him in cementing a permanent place in the hearts of Karnataka audience and cinema industry.
An equally popular, talented and a bigger star was born with the said product. Rebel Star Ambarish, who went on to become one of the top three actors in the industry was introduced as a protagonist with the character name, Jaleela. The evergreen dialogue “Ey Bull Bull, Maatadakilva” still invokes roars and whistles in theatres which maintains cult status.
Aarthi, the heroine of the movie went on to become on the top leading actress who performed in many blockbusters and with several stars of the industry.
Post
Nagarahaavu,
Both
Vishnuvardhan
and
Ambarish
became
formidable
forces
of
Kannada
cinema
and
stood
as
the
number
2
and
3
actors
in
the
industry
after
the
great,
Dr.
Rajkumar.
Criticism
Writer
TR
Subba
Rao
drew
criticism
on
director
Puttana
Kanagal
for
downplaying
the
characterization
of
Ramachari.
He
had
responded
that
Ramachari
was
not
Nagarahaavu
(Cobra)
but
instead
a
Kerehaavu
(Rat
Snake)
as
the
movie
fell
flat
in
comparison
with
his
book.
However,
the
denigration
fell
flat
as
audience
embraced
the
movie
with
both
hands
whole
heartedly.
Awards and Recognition
Vishnuvardhan won Filmfare special award for excellent performance and also the state award for best actor.
Aarthi was awarded the best actress, KS Ashwath was crowned the best supporting actor and Shubha, best supporting actress.
TR
Subba
Rao
was
acknowledged
the
best
story
writer,
Chi
Udayashankar
was
patted
on
the
back
for
his
dialogues
with
an
award
under
best
screenplay
category
while
director
Puttana
Kanagal
was
accredited
with
best
screenplay
award.
Remake and Title History
Nagarahaavu created a national level craze in cinema and was remade in three languages.
It was remade as Zehreela Insaan with Rishi Kapoor and Ambarish in the lead while Puttana Kanagal himself steering the flick.
Sreekanth donned the lead role in the Tamil remake which was named as Raaja Naagam.
Shoban Babu from the T-Town appeared in the form of Kode Nagu.
The popularity was so much so that many references of the movie, song and its title were drawn in Kannada cinema over the years.
Upendra and Jyotika’s 2002 thriller movie came with the same title and Haavina Dwesha song was reused.
Rocking Star Yash is seen as a Ramachari fan in his 2014 Blockbuster movie, Mr & Mrs Ramachari.
Kodi Ramakrishna’s graphical flick, Nagarahaavu, was again invoked certain anticipation amongst audience for its title and for a small motion capture cameo of Dr. Vishnuvarshan.
With
so
many
things
around
Nagarahaavu,
and
with
the
movie
re-releasing
this
Friday
after
undergoing
a
refactored
digital
process,
one
could
expect
a
good
traction
of
audience
into
theatres.