Ranganayaki (1981 film)
Ranganayaki (Kannada: ರಂಗನಾಯಕಿ, The Heroine of the Stage) is a 1981 Kannada film directed by Puttanna Kanagal starring Aarathi, Ambarish, Ramakrishna, Ashok, Rajanand. The film is based on the novel Ranganayaki by Ashwattha.
| Ranganayaki ರಂಗನಾಯಕಿ | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Puttanna Kanagal |
| Produced by | B. Thimmanna |
| Written by | Ashwattha |
| Screenplay by | Puttanna Kanagal Yoganarasimhamurthy |
| Based on | Ranganayaki by Ashwattha |
| Starring | Aarathi Ambarish Ramakrishna Ashok Rajanand |
| Music by | M. Ranga Rao |
| Cinematography | S. Maruthi Rao |
| Edited by | V. P. Krishna |
| Distributed by | Sri Ashok Arts |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Plot
Life of theater artistes. The Oedipus complex. The tragic life of a quintessential movie heroine. These are some of the themes handled by ace director Puttanna Kanagal with his characteristic finesse in Ranganayaki. Aarathi in the title role delivers yet another power-packed performance, easily among her career best. Her story is told from the points of view of the men in her life - father, brother, husband and son. Ironically, the sequence of events in her life mirror the key situations she has enacted in some of her most popular plays, proving that life can imitate art.
Ranganayaki is a theater artiste who plays the lead female role in all the plays staged by the drama company owned by her foster-father. When a rich man, Nagaraja, falls in love with her, she marries him and draws the curtain on her career. The drama company falls on tough times after her departure. On one occasion, when the drama company faces an emergency with the new actress absconding, Ranganayaki dons the grease paint to save her father's reputation. This one act ends her marriage, and her husband leaves town with their year-old son. Ranganayaki returns to theater but with the death of her father, and in the face of mounting losses is forced to close the drama company. Supported by her foster-brother Ramanna she goes onto become a popular movie heroine 'Mala'. Twenty years later, Shekhar, a college student, not only becomes her most ardent fan but also becomes besotted by her. Neither is aware of their true relationship - that they are mother and son. A chance meeting with her ex-husband makes 'Mala' yearn to meet her son. While circumstances make sure this does not happen, by the time Shekhar realizes the truth about her identity, 'Mala' who suffers from bouts of depression, would have taken her own life.
Cast
- Aarathi as Ranganayaki/Mala
- Ashok as Nagaraj Shetty, Ranganayaki's husband
- Ramakrishna as Shekar, Nagaraj Shetty's son
- Ambarish as Ramanna
- Rajanand
- Sudha Rani as young Ranganayaki
- Sadashiva Brahmavar as caretaker of Mala's house
Soundtrack
| Sl No | Song Title | Singer (s) | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Mandhara Pushpavu" | P. Jayachandran, S. P. Sailaja | Vijaya Narasimha |
| 2 | "Hrudaya Jhenkara" | S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubramanyam | K. Prabhakar Shasthry |
| 3 | "Premadalli Snehadalli" | S. P. Balasubramanyam | M. N. Vyasa Rao |
| 4 | "Jai Jagadambe" | S. Janaki | Vijaya Narasimha |
| 5 | "Kannada Naadina" | S. P. Balasubramanyam, S. P. Sailaja | K. Prabhakar Shasthry |