“Aptamitra” Morale boost to Kannada Film Industry

Today 27^th August happens to be 16 years of theatrical release of Kannada Film Industry Hit “Aptamitra” released on eve of Varamahalakshmi Festival in year 2004

“Aptamitra” remake of Malayalam critical & commercial acclaim film “Manichitrathazhu “ had many re unions ,highlights , new life and firsts which no one much realized until film went on to become highest grossing film in Kannada film Industry that time in year 2004.

Firstly it was more re union of Vishnuvardhan & Dwarkish after a decade, and most of the cast & crew did this film only purpose to support Dwarkish who was in very bad phase that time.

For its Director P.Vasu also his comeback to Kannada Films after more than decade and not many know or remember like Balu Mahendra , Maniratnam who started their direction career with Kannada Films, P.Vasu also started his solo Direction career with Kannada Films with Vishnuvardhan in mid 80’s from “Kathanayaka” and later on did some back to back Kannada films with Vishnuvardhan & “Guri” with Dr Rajkumar [earlier P Vasu in collaboration with Santhanabharthi  Directed few Tamil Films]

Film other big star cast includes Ramesh Aravind , Soundarya, Prema, Avinash, Shivaram & Sathyajith etc

Unfortunately its lead actress Soundarya died in tragic Helicopter Crash before the film release few months and this happens to be her biggest critical & commercial success in her Kannada Filmography and also happens to be her last film.

It’s Music Director Gurukiran who was till then worked with Younger Heroes & Youth oriented films also proved his versatility & adaptability with this film with Senior’s Vishnuvardhan & P. Vasu.

Film Success not only gave new life to Dwarkish and its Cast & Crew but also boost & morale support to Kannada Film Industry which was also in low phase due to other Language Films competitions , lack of theaters availability , Piracy issue etc .

And many other professionals associated with “Aptamitra “also tasted success like Balamuthiya who was in film poster printing business with “Dhanalakshmi Printers” in Sivakashi turned Film Distributor with this & overnight became Star Film Distributor & later on Producer.

“Aptamitra” in spite of Piracy issue and competition from other languages ran to packed house full shows for many weeks in the all the theaters where it was released and completed one year run in Bengaluru Santosh Theater and many other centers.

What was pride & proud movement was earlier decade back in year 1994 when Hindi Film Rajshri Productions “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun” was released it was also same way ran in Bengaluru “Santosh Theater “for one year and many centers in Karnataka during that time Kannada Film Makers & Films suffered lot due to non availability of theaters, that time Vishnuvardhan had expressed Kannada Films also should run same way in one of occasion which happen with his film now.

And not to forgot as all know after watching “Aptamitra” Super Star Rajnikanth who was also in low phase with his last socio fantasy film “Baba” disaster in year 2002 and looking for right comeback for more than 2 years thought this remake would be apt which proved him right with “Chandramukhi” film released in year 2005 and went on to become highest grossing film of Tamil Film Industry and ran for 800 days

Hope now entire Entertainment Industry also in low phase due to covid19 and one big success or gate open like “Aptamitra” soon will boost …Not to forgot Karnataka Government Mobile App for Covid19 assistance & guidance has been named “Aptamitra”

Ajay KR