In last few weeks the social media trending of First PAN India attempt from Kannada Film Industry in 1990’s era “Shanthi Kranthi” re release was very encouraging and positive.

Note : Before “Shanthi Kranthi” Dwarkish attempted with “Afrikadalli Sheela” as PAN India Film which later in detail will come.

Why Shanthi-Kranthi is relevant even today and talked what makes it as so special.

Shanthi-Kranthi was most ambitious film by Crazy Star V.Ravichandran under his Home Banner Eshwari Productions founded by his father Late N.Veeraswamy.

The Production & Distribution house Eshwari was founded and started in early 1970’s with their First Production Film “Kula Gurava” which was first triple role of Dr Rajkumar.

Later their next film “Naagarahaavu” under Puttana Kanagal Direction with Vishnuvardhan , Aarthi , Shubha, KS Ashwath and Ambarish is even today not only landmark in the Kannada Film Industry but in the history of Indian Film Industry.

In quick time Eshwari Productions became reputed not only in Karnataka but across the country for their commitment and professionalism towards quality films of finance ,production and distributions.

N.Veeraswamy became god father to many upcoming and budding talents and unofficial solicitor and mediator for all the Film Industry problems of both personal and professional.

His Office was always open to encourage talented creative and business opportunists in the Entertainment sector.

Later in 1980’s he launched his son V.Ravichandran who after brief time as actor in number of films turned Director with the landmark blockbuster film “Prema Loka” which even today known for his innovative style of film making and also bought Juhi Chawla ,Hamsalekha as Music Director and Lahari Music as to the name.

Before Premaloka ,Ravichandran firm decision in producing “Chakravuyha” film and also involving or clashing in creative aspects with its Director V.Somashekhar which become blockbuster boosts the morale of father Veeraswamy on the ability ,strength and confidence in his son Ravichandran.

Eshwari Productions later remade “Chakravuyha” in Hindi as “Inquilab” with Amitabh Bachan and Sridevi.

Post biggest success of “Premaloka” and “Randheera” ,Ravichandran went big ambition film “Shanthi Kranthi” in 70mm with 4 primary languages of Kannada , Tamil , Telugu and Hindi in the late 80’s which now coined as PAN India.

Those times dubbing in Karnataka was unofficially banned, unlike today also it was not digital era but film shot on negatives which in physical mode.

For Kannada Version Ravichandran choose to do lead role himself along with Ramesh Aravind

For Tamil and Hindi Superstar Rajnikanth was cast as lead role and Ravichandran doing parallel role.

For Telugu Nagarjuna was lead and Ravichandran doing parallel role.

Juhi Chawla , Kushboo and Versatile actor Anathnag probably only negative role in his film career was common artistes across all the 4 languages along with different supporting artistes in each languages.

Ravichandrans was backed by his core team of R.Madhusudhan Camera , Hamsalekha Dialogues -Lyrics -Music and K.Balu as Editor and Ravichandran apart from acting , Producing and Directing did songs and stunts choreography along with Suresh and Chinniprakash.

As per Ravichandran and many veterans for the Muhurat / launch PAN India media was invited from across the country to the Bengauru and given best hospitality and treatment.

The Film Muhurat was graced by thespian Dr Rajkumar and his son Shivrajkumar along with the all the lead starcast.

Later after initial shooting Ravichandran many times disclosed even today that he getting the signs that film going beyond his control in terms of time , budget and creativity and wanted to shelve but his father was against as prestige factor to the production house where Stars like Rajnikanth , Nagarjuna come on board as per their own wish and asked him to go ahead even though they knew this will be a disaster and put them into huge financial losses.

And film plot deals fight against the drugs mixed in ice creams , chocolates etc targeting small children’s which even today ongoing and big problem which all sections of the society working.

And apart from above lead stars biggest starts on the sets were Bengaluru various 8 to 10 school children to the tune of nearly thousand plus used with the presence of their teachers, supporting staff and parents handled with highest care and dignity.

Some prominent todays lead artistes like Sunil Rao , Anu Prabhakar and Sangeetha did as child artistes in the film.

Film was mainly shot at Bengaluru main Palace ,Kanteerva Studios and streets like M.G.Road and outdoor in Chikmangaluru and Kudremukh regions .

Film was hit by many delays and took nearly 2 to 3 years to finish due to various uncontrollable factors like date issues of the lead artistes , workers strike at the studios etc.

Film was theatrical released on September 19th 1991 and what today called paid Celebrity Premier Ravichandran tried that also with Premium tickets with higher price sold in Single Screens like Kapali, Uma Shanthi etc in Bengaluru City where he bought lead cast and also other Kannada Film Industry big star like Ambarish for Theaters visit for audiences attractions.

Now in Digital era where Kannada Film Industry got its PAN India and World attention with the films like KGF and Kanthara Series suddenly in last few weeks on social media trending started for “Shanthi Kranthi re release where Ravichandran son Vikram also spoke that we are taking as positive note to work on it but yesterday V.Balaji of Eshwari Productions and brother of Ravichandran addressed the media and audiences via recorded message that Shanthi Kranthi original negatives have melt down and he is looking for other sources and options to restore film and time only tells when it turn into reality.

V.Balaji was earlier successful in restoring and digital make over of their landmark film “Nagarahaavu Theatrical Re release in 2018.

This issue not only limited to Shanthi Kranthi film but Film Makers or IP owners of the content created in physical or negative reels era should be more cautious in preserving and restoration.

Some successful preservation and restoration into digital re-release on regular basis happening with PRK Productions for Late Puneeth Rajkumar films.

And can witness occasionally some attempts made by various film Producers and Distributors.

Recently Girish Kasravalli debut Kannada film “Ghattasharadha” was restored by Film Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit organization set up by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur in 2014 to digital and was screened across the many global prestigious film festivals.

Film Heritage Foundation also regularly working with various film personalities , Production houses and Corporates in spreading awareness for preservation and restoration culture and practice in India.

Now FHF also working in restoration of mile stone of Parallel cinema wave Kannada Film “Samskara”.

National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) Pune set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in the year 2015 also have many Kannada films lined up in their total target of 5000 contents of films , documentaries , short films etc which taking its own time to get restored on the various priority factors outlined.

At this year Bengaluru International Film Festival [ BIFFES ] 2026 , Dr Rajkumar staring films like Bangarada Manushya , Uyale , Jeevana Chaitra and Shankar Guru etc was digital screened which happened under NFHM.

Though over the years at the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy [ KCA ] , Govt of Karnataka who ever takes charge as President saying that will set up own preservation and restoration facilities in Bengaluru / Karnataka for Kannada Films and got budget sanctioned for studying ,visiting and preparing Detailed Project Report [ DPR ] nothing into reality happening due to lack of willingness and support from Govt or Film Industry associations and bodies.

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Ajay.K.R