By Vivek M.v

Copyright thehindu

Vishnuvardhan, whose 75th birth anniversary falls on Thursday, is celebrated as the “Sahasa Simha” (brave lion) of the Kannada film industry by his fans. The monicker, however, does not quite capture the wide range of roles he played.

His last few movies, before his death in 2009, prove that his talent was not on the wane. However, directors with a lack of imagination wrote for him the typical kind-hearted, sacrificial-saviour type of roles for him.

Veteran stars such as Mammootty and Mohanlal in Malayalam, Rajinikanth in Tamil, and Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi have dared to experiment in the fag end of their careers. Likewise, ardent fans of Vishnuvardhan, who are fighting to establish a memorial for their favourite star in Bengaluru, would have loved to see him in never-before-seen characters.

Vision of new-gen

Kannada new-gen filmmakers say imagining Vishnuvardhan in unique roles is irresistible and exciting. Shashank Soghal, who made the entertaining college drama Daredful Musthafa (2023), would have loved to have cast him as the protagonist who celebrates the legacy of Chitradurga. His concept feels like a hat-tip to Vishnuvardhan’s iconic 1972 Naagarahaavu.

“I would have wanted to adapt the novel Durgaastamana by TaRaSu with Vishu sir as the lead. His love for Mysuru and Chitradurga is well-known. He also starred in several literary adaptations,” Shashank told The Hindu. “Vishnu sir looked very striking even in his late 50s, especially in Nagathihalli Chandrashekar’s Maathaad Maathadu Mallige (2007). He would have made for a great, stylish yet complex antagonist.

Vishnuvardhan was known for portraying believable vulnerability through. A case in point is his iconic Bandhana (1984).It is a film that makes filmmaker Jaishankar Aryar think of an age-defying love story starring Vishnuvardhan. “I would have written a love story with two old people. Imagine living 70 years, carrying different kinds of experiences and learnings, and then falling in love. I feel Vishnuvardhan sir would have brought out the internal conflicts and the nuanced performance required for such a character,” said Jaishankar, who made the critically acclaimed and festival hit Shivamma (2024).

In web series?

Natesh Hegde, director behind internationally-acclaimed films such as Pedro and Vagachipani, said Dr Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan are beyond a particular on-screen image. “Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974), Bandhana (1984), and Karna (1986) are films that prove that Vishnuvardhan was more than your usual commercial star,” said Natesh, adding that he misses seeing the actor in the web-series space. “He would have been brilliant as this cop with grey shades in police-procedurals, something on the lines of Paatal Lok (2020)and Khorra (2023),” he said.

In the era of pan-Indian films, big stars of all languages are collaborating with each other, increasing their visibility beyond their respective home industries. “Had Marudhanayagam seen the light of day, the world would have celebrated Vishnuvardhan sir’s calibre,” he said about the shelved ambitious project of Kamal Haasan in which the Kannada star was cast in a prominent role.

Beyond one image

Director Dinesh Baboo, a regular collaborator with Vishnuvardhan, said the actor was a “star who never insisted on having a specific image.” “He played an ordinary father in Laali (1997), a retired army man in Nishabdha, anda loyal husband in the comedy drama Hendthigehelbedi (1989). These films show the acting range of Vishnuvardhan. Today, I am filming the biopic of Kempegowda, and I miss him dearly. He would have been perfect as Krishnadevaraya. He would have looked majestic in a royal outfit,” said Dinesh Baboo about exploring a strong historical role with Vishnuvardhan, who was gifted with a strong dialogue delivery and a solid baritone.

In gangster drama?

Senior members in the industry call him a great actor who could entertain people of all generations. “I miss him a lot,” said friend and filmmaker Rajendra Singh Babu, who helmed classics such as Bandhana and Muthina Haara (1990)with the actor.

“Vishnu in a Godfather-like gangster drama would have been a great try. Like Marlon Brando, he would have outshone the rest of the star-studded cast,” felt Babu. More than a decade since his demise, Kannada cinema is reeling from the effects of unfulfilled roles and dream projects involving one of the fine actors of Sandalwood.