For this year’s 15th remembrance of Dr. Vishnuvardhana, the icon of Kannada cinema, a tribute was organized by Shashiraj and his team.
What makes this Simhada Hadi by Shashiraj unique is that it focuses on the ideals portrayed by Dr. Vishnuvardhana in his films—respect for women, respect for soldiers, and the importance of motherly care—all of which are central to the screenplay of this 40-minute telefilm.
At the trailer launch of Simhada Hadi, veteran directors who had a long-standing professional relationship with Dr. Vishnuvardhana—SV Rajendra Singh Babu and Joe Simon—recalled their days of working with him on various films. Joe Simon, director of Sahasa Simha, explained how the title came to Dr. Vishnuvardhana. He shared that Dr. Vishnu had controlled his breath and stood in one place for an extended period, which was very difficult to do, earning him the title Sahasa Simha. SV Rajendra Singh Babu, who directed some of Dr. Vishnuvardhana’s epoch-making films such as Bandhana, Muttina Hara, Himapatha, and Nagara Hole, spoke about the lovely qualities of the actor.
Veteran journalist Ganesh Kasargod also recalled his association with Dr. Vishnuvardhana on this occasion. Former KFCC President Ba Ma Harish, KFPA President Umesh Banakar, and Krishne Gowda, President of the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, were present to wish Shashiraj on his achievement.
Veteran actor MN Lakshmi Devi was honored by Shashiraj and his team on this occasion. Vishnu Sena Samithi is the producer of this telefilm. Shashi Mitra wrote the story, directed the film, and also penned the screenplay.
The cast of Simhada Hadi includes Savithakka, Sai Jyothi, Pallavi, Sanshika, Prakruthi Manju, Mahesh Guru, Hari Prakash, Shashi, and others.
The camera work is handled by Karan, Manoj (on Gimbal), and Suhas (with the drone camera) for this telefilm.
