The other man...

...of Kannada films!

Ardent kannadigas and kannada movie fans would know whom am referring to. (I hope you can guess!)

He was special,ultra talented with looks that made women swoon,the best among his peers. He was a ladies' man,a natural charmer. He acted in some of the best Kannada movies in 70s and 80s. My earliest recollection of a kannada movie was one of his. What a couple, he and Arathi were! Then there was Nagarahaavu and Vishnuvardhan had arrived!

He had only one problem, he was always second-in-line to superstardom. He was always falling short of that one expectation that set him apart from the greatest of greats, Dr Rajkumar! It was not his fault, it was simply a question of circumstances and timing.

Personally, I loved Vishnuvardhan, his style, his confidence and his charm. He was "Mr Photo" if you like. He epitomised the unique 70s "bell bottoms sidelocks" generation. I hope am not killed by RFC - Rajkumar Fans Club (not Rangers Football Club) the next time am in Bangalore for saying this!. Dr Rajkumar was a phenomenon for sure, but it was Vishnuvardhan that won hearts,especially in movies like "Gandhada Gudi".

I think he was aware he was always going to be the second best only.And yet, he continued to give his best,to his movies, to his heroines and to his fans. He was subtle yet forceful when presented with his chances. And one was swept away into his wonderful world of romantic charm!

And not to speak of his on screen chemistry with Arathi. The two of them were made for each other, somewhat symbolising the best song in their classic "Hombisilu" - "Midiyuva Managalu yeradu, midithada ragavu ondhe" roughly meaning "two hearts that sing the same tune". He,the fair skinned gentleman,she the dusky beauty, priceless!

Although much older, I appreciated his acting skills in "Madikeri Sipayi". His good looks did not come in the way of his serious role, he was able to set that record straight. He was as much a force as he was a charmer!. Throughout his career, he knew how to balance that act.

I am loving writing this blog myself. My friend Sheeja always said "romance is a beautiful subject,it is eternal". I agree with her, with actors like Vishnuvardhan, romance never dies. It takes but one spark to rekindle the passion. And oh,having an Ipod full of old kannada songs helps, certainly on boring Monday afternoons...

A few years ago,on this very day,I was on my two-wheeler in the busy Jaynagar area of Bangalore. This must have been around late 2004,early 2005,maybe. I stopped at a traffic signal and waited. You know how we Bangloreans checkout other vehicles when waiting for the signal to turn green ? I was doing the same to this lovely big white car standing next to me. The car had tinted windows and looked brand new and big. As I was checking it out, the tinted windows rolled down and there I saw him! Yes, Vishnuvardhan,the man himself.. He was dressed in some costume and obviously was on his way for a shoot.

He gave me a big smile,a very human one, a real one! I stayed there,very weak in my knees,wishing the signal did not change.. forever.

In fond remembrance of this "other man" of Kannada movies,on this day, I claim to have listened to the following song, a few hundred times on my Ipod! Thats quite a record for a fan's admiration of an actor like him,what ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME69N8-j7do&feature=related

- Saaveri


(P.S : Dont ask me how I remember the date well,I have a very strange way of remembering events through bizarre associations)