Saarathi

Saarathi (English: Charioteer) is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language romantic action film written and directed by Dinakar Thoogudeep. It stars Darshan and debutante Deepa Sannidhi in the lead roles. V. Harikrishna scored for the film's background and its soundtrack, lyrics for which was penned by V. Nagendra Prasad.

Saarathi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDinakar Thoogudeepa
Produced byK. V. Satya Prakash
Screenplay byDinakar Thoogudeepa
Story byDinakar Thoogudeepa
Chinthan A. V.
StarringDarshan
Deepa Sannidhi
R. Sarathkumar
Music byV. Harikrishna
CinematographyK. Krishna Kumar
Edited byK. M. Prakash
Production
company
Sri Araseshwari Cine Productions
Distributed byReliance Entertainment
Release date
  • 30 September 2011 (2011-09-30)
Running time
166 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

The film released theatrically on 30 September 2011 when the Darshan was under judicial custody for alleged domestic violence against his wife, Vijayalakshmi.[1] After initial denial, the makers admitted in February 2012 that the movie was based on the 1994 animated movie The Lion King.[2][3] It received three awards at the 2011 Karnataka State Film Awards, including the Best Entertaining Movie.[4]

Synopsis

Raja (Darshan), an auto-rickshaw driver, who falls in love with Rukmini (Deepa Sannidhi). But she has an enemy in Pratap (Ajay), a relative who wants to marry her, and takes her to his hometown - Durgakote. Raja follows her to the place and finds that she hails from the family of palegars who rule the place. The story takes a turn when Raja finds that Rukmini is the daughter of his father's sister.

Cast

Production

Saarathi was initially under the production of Kannada cinema veteran KCN Chandrashekhar, but was later taken up by K. V. Satya Prakash as his first film venture.[5] As a result of which, the film has been in the making for over 2 years[6] including 90 days for the shooting and later the film release got delayed owing to actor Darshan's arrest by the police following a complaint of domestic violence by his wife Vijayalakshmi.[7] It was filmed at major South Indian tourist places like Chitradurga, Pondicherry, Chalakudy (in Kerala) and Hyderabad, the film ran 100days in around 50 theaters.

Music

The music and Background score was composed by V. Harikrishna and lyrics for songs were penned by Nagendra Prasad

Saarathi
Soundtrack album by
V. Harikrishna
Released19 June 2011
Recorded2011
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length23:01
LabelAnand Audio
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Kai Mugidhu Yeru"V. Nagendra PrasadShankar Mahadevan5:00
2."Manase Manase"V. Nagendra PrasadVijay Prakash,Shamita Malnad4:47
3."Vajra Ballalaraya"V. Nagendra PrasadKailash Kher4:43
4."Haago Heege"V. Nagendra PrasadDarshan, Vani Harikrishna4:57
5."Kittappa Kittappa"V. Nagendra PrasadShamita Malnad, Shankar Mahadevan4:54
Total length:23:01

Release

The film released in 147 theatres across Karnataka on 30 September 2011, including over 30 in the city of Bangalore, and an additional 20 screens were put up due to its commercial success in the opening weekend.[1]

Reception

Critical response

Upon release, it received good reviews from film critics[8] chiefly for its narration, tight screenplay, art work and technicalities like the use of computer graphics for stunts and song picturisation.[9] Darshan's acting performance in this film has been praised by the reviewers,[10] calling it even as his best movie till date.[8] Ravi Varma's stunts sequences and Eshwari Kumar's art work - who has assembled a 30 ft. statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari in water falls is also a noted aspect of the film.[11]

Bangalore Mirror rated it 4/5 stars[9] and the entertainment website Supergoodmovies also rated it with 4/5 stars.[11] While other newspapers like The Times of India and DNA India rated it at 4.5/5.[10] Bangalore Mirror summarised it by saying that "the real hero of the film is director Dinakar and it is a film to enjoy, being one of the biggest entertainers of the year."[9]

Accolades
2011 Karnataka State Film Awards
  • Best Entertaining Movie
  • Best Art Director — Eshwari Kumar
  • Special Jury Award (Special effects) — Rajan
1st South Indian International Movie Awards
  • Best Film

References
  1. "Bangalore Mirror - Darshan makes a big hit again, this time with his film". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  2. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Bypassing-copycats-Sandalwood-style/articleshow/21434657.cms
  3. "'Chingari' is Remake of 'Taken' - Darshan". supergoodmovies.com. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  4. Suresh, Sunayana (14 March 2013). "Karnataka State Film Awards 2010-11 winners". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  5. "Two for the week - Darshan Sarathi big release". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  6. "Darshan wants to be famous like Shankar Nag - Times of India". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  7. "Bangalore Mirror - Darshan is a fine actor". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  8. "Review: Kannada film 'Sarathi' is arguably Darshan's best film - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". 1 October 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  9. "Bangalore Mirror Movie Review - Sarathi: Killer punch". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  10. "Sarathy Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  11. "Supergoodmovies.com - Sarathi Kannada Movie Review". Retrieved 2 July 2017.
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