Sharapanjara

The film revolves around the issues of a woman's chastity, the acceptance of mentally ill by society and unfaithful spouses. The story starts with the chance meeting of the heroine Kaveri (Kalpana) and the hero Satish (Gangadhar). Satish falls in love with Kaveri who is educated, sophisticated, beautiful and hails from a loving family and they get married with the blessings of their parents. They form a picture-perfect couple. They build their dream house, have a son, buy a car and are generally prosperous. When Kaveri conceives for the second time, the doctor express concern over her health. During the post-partum period, she is triggered by memories of abuse as a teenager leading to her symptoms of post-partum psychosis, for which she seeks treatment at an in-house mental healthcare facility. After recovery, when she is discharged from the hospital, and returns home, Satish treats her with callousness. Kaveri faces scorn from her family, neighbours and society in general, as well, owing to the stigma around mental healthcare. Kaveri, eventually discovers that her husband, Satish, has been having an extra-marital relationship with a female colleague. Unable to bear it all, Kaveri's distress causes her post-partum psychosis symptoms to relapse. Kalpana's performance as a woman dealing with trauma was widely acclaimed by critics.

The movie dwells on two social issues. One, the male ego and entitlement. Kaveri's husband spurns her because of her past incident. And uses it as an alibi to be unfaithful to her. Two, the social acceptability of mentally challenged people. The general treatment Kaveri receives from her servants, her cook, her family members and neighbours depicts how the society lacks the sensitivity that is so much needed for people like Kaveri.

• Kalpana as Kaveri
• Gangadhar as Satish, Kaveri's husband
• Srinath (Guest appearance)
• Leelavathi as Vijayakka, Sathish's sister
• K. S. Ashwath as Kaveri's father
• Advani Lakshmi Devi
• Chindodi Leela as Vimala
• M.N Lakshmi Devi
• Shivaram as Bhatta
• Narasimharaju
• Loknath
• R.T. Rama
• Kala
• Jayamma

The soundtrack composed by Vijaya Bhaskar was well received by the audience. Songs like Sandesha Megha Sandesha and Uttara Dhruvadim Dakshina Dhruvaku are still popular.

The film was a big hit and ran for one year in Karnataka in about three theatres. The character Kaveri portrayed by Kalpana is one of the strongest and widely acclaimed characters in Kannada cinema. The movie gave impetus to Kalpana's career.

• 20th National Film Awards (1972)
  • Best Feature Film in Kannada
• 1970-71 Karnataka State Film Awards
  • First Best Film
  • Best Actress – Kalpana
  • Best Screenplay – Puttanna Kanagal

This film screened at IFFI 1992 Kannada cinema Retrospect.

• Sharapanjara at IMDb