One of the all-time blockbuster Kannada films, Apthamitra marks its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, 27 August since its release on the occasion of Vara Mahalakshmi festival on 27 August 2004.
Directed by P Vasu, the film stars the legendary Kannada actor Dr Vishnuvardhan along with one of the most talented actresses back then Soundarya, Ramesh Aravind, Prema, Dwarakish, Avinash and others.
About Apthamitra
The film is special for many reasons. Though the film is a remake of 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu, P Vasu made some changes while retaining the soul of the psychological horror film.
Apthamitra eventually became a horror comedy with fine elements of psychological thriller packed to perfection.
Produced by the veteran Kannada filmmaker and actor Dwarakish under his prestigious banner Dwarakish Chitra, the film took off after Dr Vishnuvardhan agreed to do film for Dwarakish.
Both Vishnuvardhan and Dwarakish have shared the screen space on numerous occasions with good success rate. However, the on and off relationship between the two had drifted them apart. But they managed to return for Apthamitra.
Unfortunately, the mega hit film also marks the last ever film of actress Soundarya to hit the screens. Both her Telugu movie Siva Shankar and Apthamitra in Kannada released posthumously. The actress died in an aircraft crash on 17 April 2004.
Iconic dialogues of Apthamitra
Even after 20 years since its release, dialogues or the one liner including Nannu vaadi to velladaniki vadalava? — meaning won’t you leave me to go with him? delivered by Soundarya’s Gangavalli character, and Ide, illeno samasye ide — meaning here is some problem by Avinash character in the film are still very much popular and are often used in memes.
Apart from its performances led by Dr Vishnuvardhan, Apthamitra’s music scored by Gurukiran is another major highlight of the film.
The film that ran to packed houses for several weeks, completed 365 days in theatre.
The film was remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi with Superstar Rajinikanth playing the lead role.
After becoming the highest grossing Kannada film back then, it was declared an industry hit. Eventually, a sequel to it titled Aptharakshaka was made and released in 2010 for which Dr Vishnuvardhan returned to play Dr Vijay in it.
