Bengaluru: Movie buffs in the city are upset as organisers of Bengaluru International Film Festival failed to include veteran Kannada director M.S Rajashekar under the Homage and Remembrance section.
Rajashekar, who passed away on 29th October last year at the age of 75, had directed several box office success movies starring Kannada thespian Dr Rajkumar apart from debuting top actresses including Malashri, Asharani, Anu Prakhar and fee others.
“He has been a big name in the Kannada film industry and his contribution between mid ‘80s and 2000 can’t be ignored. It is sad to see that he is totally ignored and forgotten,’’ said Karthikeya Gowda, a city film enthusiast and his friends.
Rajashekar made his directorial debut with Dhruva Thare starring Dr. Rajkumar which earned him Karnataka State Award for second best film. His second movie Anuraga Aralithu was remade in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Rajashekar also made successful films like Ratha Sapthami and Nanjundi Kalyana. Most of his movies were either remakes of adapted from novels. He’s credited to have brought nativity element in his works.
He has the distinction of having directed 14 movies of Shiva Rajkuamar including his second and third movie which earned him the title Hat-trick Hero. He also directed eight movies of Raghavendra Rajkumar, including family comedy Nanjundi Kalyana which also marked the debut of actress Malashri.
Under the Homage section are legendary Bengal auteur Mrinal Sen, Veteran actor CH Lokanath, prominent producer M Bhakta—vatsala and wellknown lyrist MN Vysya Rao.
Rajashekar was also a recipient of Puttanna Kanagal Award.
