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.