Kanasugarana “Kalavidha”

Crazy Star V Ravichandran ambitious “Kalavidha” released in the year 1997 Film had many firsts and specialty in Kannada Film Industry and decision change making to Crazy Star career.

V Ravichandran after two blockbuster hits of Putnanja in year 1995 and “Sipayi” in year 1996 which was under Eshwari Productions and Directed by himself at that point decided not to do any outside banners

since Home banner Eshwari Productions also completed its 25 / silver jubilee year with Grand success of Sipayi which also first time brought Telugu Film Industry MegaStar Chiranjeevi to Kannada film Industry and gone ahead with “Kalavidha” film in the year 1996 as quickie and not as big canvas compare to previous 2 films which almost took year to finish and release.

But as shooting progressed the Crazy dreams of Ravichandran did not restricted him for quickie & small / medium canvas but started going big and finally again took almost year to finish and released for Sankranthi 1997 but film did not do well at the Box office as expected but if look back now it had many firsts and special / highlights  to Kannada Film Industry as mentioned in the beginning which are

“Kalavidha” was First Dolby Sound Kannadafilm which was already a trend in other languages like Hindi , Tamil & Telugu film Industries.

During “Kalavidha” film process Music Director Hamsalekha  was also busy with his first own production film “Suggi” which was launching pad for his son “Alankar” so for that films songs recording he brought Singer Hariharan who was very popular in Hindi & Tamil language in both Films and non-filmy album like Colonial Cousins to Kannada Film Industry to record two songs knowing this Ravichandran also quickly asked Hamsalekha to record song with Hariharan which was “ Prema O Thuntiya “ Song.

So “Kalavidha” become first Kannada film for singer Hariharan.

Again Art /Set works were highlight in the film specially erected House set without doors and windows at Abhiman Studios by Art Director Ismail was talk of the Industry and many Industry personalities and Media used to throng the sets to have glimpse.

Telugu & Tamil Film Industry Top Leading Ladies Roja & Heera Rajgopal were the heroines.

South Indian Film Industry Star Villain Raghuvaran played here also antagonist along with North Indian origin Kannada Film Heroine Dolly Minhas playing also negative role with him.

Lohitshwa , Vaisha Kasarvalli, Ramesh Bhat ,Chi Gurudutt , Umashree , Shobharaj & Anjali were other prominent supporting cast in the film.

V Ravichandran already started his own Audio Label company Eshwari Audio in the year 1995 with Putnanja film and for Kalavidha first time in Audio Cassettes company “History Heart Shape Audio cassettes cases“ were introduced.

The Film was released in more Non-Kannada screening Films Theaters in Karnataka since those were already equipped with Dolby Sound Systems like in Bengaluru City “Sagar” , Pallavi & Lido etc.

After the release film had mixed & disappointing reviews since film narrative also goes with too many present and past [ Flashbacks ] which many audiences could not follow or was in confusions.

Even though Ravichandran accepted the film failure as usual with his lion brave heart in the 1 week itself still tried to save and had hope on the film by releasing re-edited film flow by removing confusions and had straight narration in its 4^th week of Theatrical release but yet for his huge Investments it could not cover the costs / break even.

Suresh Urs was the Film Editor.

But even today the film is remembered for above highlights which many todays Digital / Internet era film makers / media / audience don’t know but for its chart buster songs which were “Hoova Roja Hoova , Hey Navile , Oh Tuntiya & Savarika obha Kalavidha

And also, for its technical standards of GSV Seethram Camera work which were widely appreciated especially for many special effect shots using images and words on the Painting Canvas board and pigeons which already neighboring Industry were using CGI / VFX technology but same here achieved with more of Optical works.

So, this financial loss again made to change Ravichandran decision to do outside banners.

Another tragic was during its chase scene shot in Cubbon park where Ravichandran chases Raghuvaran Car by riding Horse accidentally fell during shooting due to hitting electric pole and that fall made major back injury which tilltoday not fully able to recover.

 Ajay KR