Ranadheera Kanteerava (1960)

This epochal Rajkumar historical is the prototype for many of the star’s costume epics, often written by G.V. Iyer (cf. Rajan’s Immadi Pulakesi, 1967). The film evokes the Mysore royalty’s intrigues to address Kannada national chauvinism. Rajkumar plays Kanteerava, supported as an alternative ruler by the villain Dalavayi Vikrama Raya (Nagendra Rao), but Kanteerava defeats the villains using his legendary physical prowess in the service of the official monarch. Made as a co-operative venture by actors Balkrishna and Narasimhraju, the directors Iyer and T.V. Singh Thakore, et al. Although this co-operative made only one film, it featured in several 60s Rajkumar films, effectively constituting the Kannada film industry. Some of G.V. Iyer’s filmographies credit him with directing this film, which he wrote and helped both produce and direct.