21 years Theatrical Release [ Feb 10th 2000 ] of Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Dr Rajkumar starrer Film “Shabdavedhi” unfortunately his last who returned to films after break of 5 plus years
“Shabdavedhi” film based on Novel by Vijay Sasanur for Legend Dr Raj had many firsts & last in his career and many who worked with him in this film had First , Last & lifetime memorable one.
“Shabdavedhi” & Shivrajkumar’s “Indradhanush” film both launch happen same day at Kanteerva Studios Bengaluru earlier in year 1999 which was big news as father & son duo.
For Dr Raj First & last film to have DTS Mixing sound release which was just in initial stage that time.
Many who worked with Dr Raj for First & Last time from Director S.Narayan , DoP R Giri , Editor S Manohar , Action Master Ram Shetty , Singer KS Chitra ,Audio Label MagnaSound and bunch of artistes like Shobaraj , Umasri , Bhavani Shankar , Kari Basaviah , Renukama Marugod , Bullet Prakash, Journalist RG Vijayasarathi , Dolly etc vice versa
Artiste Venkatesh Prasad who earlier debuted with Vajreshwari Combines Shivrajkumars “Hrudaya Hrudaya” in year 1999 recalls fortunate & lucky to share screen with legend in his career second film again under same Banner
Other prominent Star cast include Veteran Artiste KS Ashwath [ who also made comeback due to Dr Raj couple force after stopped acting earlier] , Jayapradha , Sowkar Janaki , Mukya Manthri Chandru ,Chi Gurudutt , Honavalli Krishna etc
Film was produced by Smt Parvathama Rajkumar & sons Raghavendra & Puneeth Rajkumar were Executive Producers with Hamsalekha lyrics & Music.
Dr SP Balasubramaniam sung title track with remaining song sung by Dr Raj , KS Chitra & Manjula Gururaj.
Film was fully shot in Bengaluru and one song each in outdoor Chikmangalore & Shimla surroundings.
Film was one of highest grossing of the year and completed Silver Jubilee run at many Theaters across Karnataka and its 100 days function was held at Dr BR Amedkar Bhavan Bengaluru.
Though Dr Raj still wanted to do couple of films as per wish of family ,loving fans & Kannadigas and already pre-production of work of his next “Bhakta Ambareesha” was under progress as all know later on Dr Raj kidnap by Veerapan for 108 days halted all the future plans and “Shabdavedhi “ remained in history page as his last film as admitted by Legend himself though this film plot was not fresh or great but its love of his fans made the film huge success whom he refers as “Abhimanigalu Devaru” [ Fans as God” ] on the other hand fans & audience loved the Dr Raj return to silver screen and all cant forgot his fitness at age of 70 plus where he performed some dangerous actions and retained his charm.
Interestingly at the time of Karnataka Assembly Elections in year 1999 that time Congress Chief Minister Candidate Sri SM Krishna launched his initial campaign by visiting “Shabdavedhi” film sets to meet & greet Dr Raj and not forgot he was succeeded in becoming Chief Minister …..
Ajay KR
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