M. R. Vittal

M. R. Vittal was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked primarily Kannada cinema. He directed over 18 films in his career, with most of them being very successful and attaining a cult status. In a career spanning two decades, Vittal won three National Award and three Karnataka State Awards for his films.

M. R. Vittal
Born
Mysore Raghavendra Rao Vittal

Kingdom of Mysore, British India
NationalityIndian
OccupationFilm director, screenwriter

Vittal is considered as one of the "doyens" of Kannada cinema and is considered to have "carved a niche in the Kannada film industry by exhibiting a rare insight and boldness" while selecting the themes for his films.[1] Most of his films were based on novels written by eminent scholars. Popular directors such as K. S. L. Swamy and K. V. Jayaram worked as assistant directors under the guidance of Vittal.[2]

Career

Vittal's first directorial project Nanda Deepa released in 1963. The film starred Rajkumar and Harini in the lead roles and was produced by Vadiraj. Upon release, the film received rave reviews and went on to be considered as "an all-time classic" in the history of Kannada cinema. The success got enhanced with the film receiving the prestigious National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada at the 10th National Film Awards. Following this, his next film Mangala Muhurta was released in 1964. This film won the Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film at the 11th National Film Awards.

In 1965, his third directorial Miss Leelavathi based on the late Korati Srinivasa Rao’s sensational novel on premarital sex created a sensation for its bold theme. Actress Jayanthi in the protagonist role, found her career break-through with this film. The film for which he wrote the screenplay, again won the Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film at the 13th National Film Awards making his third consecutive win at the National level. His subsequent films Nakkare Ade Swarga, Hannele Chiguridaga and Eradu Mukha won him laurels and awards at the Karnataka State Film Awards.

In the 1970s, Vittal directed films such as Yaara Sakshi, Bala Panjara, Professor Huchuraya and Anna Attige which were commercial hits and fetched him many accolades. His last film was the 1980 film, Varadakshine.

Filmography

YearFilmNotes
1963Nanda DeepaWon - National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1964Mangala MuhurtaWon - Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film
1965Miss LeelavathiWon - Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film
1966Premamayi
1967Nakkare Ade SwargaWon - Karnataka State Film Award for 2nd Best Film
1967Manassiddare Marga
1968Hannele ChiguridagaWon - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film
1969Margadarshi
1969Eradu MukhaWon - Karnataka State Film Award for 3rd Best Film
1969Kannu Mucchale
1972Yaara Sakshi
1972Bala Panjara
1974Professor Huchuraya
1974Anna Attige
1975Koodi Balona
1977Punarmilana
1980Varadakshine

References

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