WilhelminaBoswel at 12:27, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T12:27:36Z

New page

{{short description|1978 film by V. Somashekhar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Shankar Guru
| image = Shankar Guru 1978 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[V. Somashekhar]]
| screenplay = M. D. Sundar
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = [[Chi. Udayashankar]]
}}
| story = Dakshayini Combines
| producer = [[Parvathamma Rajkumar]]
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]|[[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]]|[[Jayamala]]|[[Padmapriya (actress)|Padmapriya]]}}
| music = [[Upendra Kumar]]
| cinematography = R. Madhusudan
| editing = P. Bhaktavatsalam
| studio = Dakshayini Combines
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|1978|02|17|df=yes}}
| runtime = 179 minutes
| country = India
| language = Kannada
| budget =
| gross = {{INR}}3.26 crore<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/news/dr-rajkumars-top-five-movies-remade-in-other-languages/articleshow/74475803.cms|title=ಪರಭಾಷೆಗೆ ರಿಮೇಕ್ ಆದ ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್‌ಕುಮಾರ್‌ ನಟನೆಯ ಟಾಪ್ 5 ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳು|website=Vijayakarnataka.com|access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''''Shankar Guru''''' ({{audio|Kn-ಶಂಕರ್ ಗುರು.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a 1978 Indian [[Kannada]]-language [[action thriller film]] directed by [[V. Somashekhar]] and produced by [[Parvathamma Rajkumar]] under Dakshayini Combines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khajane |first=Muralidhara |date=1 June 2017 |title=Parvathamma: The pillar behind the iconic star |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/parvathamma-the-pillar-behind-the-iconic-star/article18699026.ece |access-date=29 November 2021 |website=Thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Vajreshwari Combines | About Us |url=http://www.srivajreshwari.in/about-us/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722170440/http://www.srivajreshwari.in/about-us/ |archive-date=22 July 2020 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> It stars [[Dr. Rajkumar]] in triple role, alongside [[Jaimala (actress)|Jayamala]], [[Padmapriya (actress)|Padmapriya]], [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]], [[Balakrishna (Kannada actor)|Balakrishna]], [[Vajramuni]], [[Thoogudeepa Srinivas]] and [[Uma Shivakumar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The best of Dr Rajkumar|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/17raj.htm|website=[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|date=17 April 2006|access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Upendra Kumar]], while the cinematography and editing were handled by R. Madhusudan and P. Bhaktavatsalam.

''Shankar Guru'' marks Parvathamma Rajkumar's debut as a producer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khajane |first=Muralidhara |date=2017-06-01 |title=Parvathamma: The pillar behind the iconic star |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/parvathamma-the-pillar-behind-the-iconic-star/article18699026.ece |access-date=2022-07-31 |issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111224549/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/parvathamma-the-pillar-behind-the-iconic-star/article18699026.ece|archive-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> The film was shot extensively in and around [[Kashmir]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=sandalwoodking.rocks – sandalwoodking Resources and Information. |url=https://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/dr-rajkumar-annavru-karnataka-ratna-kentucky-colonel-padma-bhushan-nata-saarvabhouma.4293/page-423 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111122810/https://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/dr-rajkumar-annavru-karnataka-ratna-kentucky-colonel-padma-bhushan-nata-saarvabhouma.4293/page-423 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 November 2019 |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=www.sandalwoodking.rocks}}</ref> The film was the second film of Rajkumar after ''[[Kula Gourava]]'' in which he played a triple role and his only colour film in a triple role.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Top ten Kannada films to have been remade |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/Top-ten-Kannada-films-to-have-been-remade/photostory/27975825.cms |access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref>

''Shankar Guru'' was released on 17 February 1978 to widespread critical acclaim and became an all-time blockbuster at the box office. P. Bhaktavatsalam won the [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Editor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rajkumar profile |url=http://www.chitratara.com/showCelbProfile.asp?newsid=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717135525/http://www.chitratara.com/showCelbProfile.asp?newsid=8 |archive-date=17 July 2007 |access-date=27 April 2016 |website=chitratara.com}}</ref> The film was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Kumara Raja (1978 film)|Kumara Raja]]'', in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Thirisoolam]]'' and in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Mahaan (1983 film)|Mahaan]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/photo-features/top-ten-kannada-films-to-have-been-remade/photostory/27975825.cms | title=Top ten Kannada films to have been remade | website=[[The Times of India]] }}</ref>

==Plot==
Rajashekhar is an upright [[business magnate]] whose associates are involved in shady deals. During an argument over such a deal, a scuffle ensues and Rajashekhar accidentally shoots one of his associates dead. Fleeing from the cops, Rajashekhar loses contact with his pregnant wife Sumathi.

Many years later, Sumathi is now living with her son Shankar in [[Delhi]], while Rajashekhar is a rich estate owner in [[Kashmir]]. Rajashekhar's niece Nalini encounters Shankar in Delhi and recommends him to manage her uncle's estate in Kashmir. Guru, Shankar's [[doppelgänger]], also arrives in Kashmir for a romantic quest with his rich girlfriend Malathi. Through Shankar, Rajashekhar manages to establish contact with Sumathi and is overwhelmed with joy.

Before Rajashekhar can meet Sumathi, trouble arrives in the form of Rajashekhar's erstwhile crooked business partners, who are after a valuable necklace stolen from a temple in Delhi, which they believe is now in Rajashekhar's possession. The partners kidnap Sumathi and imprison and torture Rajashekhar and a final fight ensues in which Shankar and Guru (who are revealed to be twins) rescue and reunite with their parents.

== Cast ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]] as:
** Rajashekhar alias Jayaraj
** Shankar, Rajashekhar's son and Guru's brother
** Guru, Rajashekhar's son and Shankar's brother
* [[Jayamala (actress)|Jayamala]] as Nalini, Rajashekhar's niece
* [[Padmapriya (actress)|Padmapriya]] as Malathi, Guru's love interest
* [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]] as Sumati, Rajashekhar's wife and Shankar and Guru's mother
* [[Balakrishna (Kannada actor)|Balakrishna]] as [[Advocate|Adv.]] Lakshman Rao
* [[Vajramuni]] as Premkumar
* [[Thoogudeepa Srinivas]] as Madanlal
* [[Sampath (Kannada actor)|Sampath]] as Gurumurthy
* [[Tiger Prabhakar]] as Tiger
* [[Uma Shivakumar]] as Dr. Prema
* [[Cudavalli Chandrashekar]] as Divakar alias ''Duplicate'' Shankar
* [[Chi. Udayashankar]]
* [[Honnavalli Krishna]]
* [[Vaishali Kasaravalli]]
* Keerthi Raj
{{div col end}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Shankar Guru
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Upendra Kumar]]
| cover =
| caption =
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = 1978
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length =
| label = [[Saregama]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}

The music was composed by [[Upendra Kumar]] with lyrics for the soundtrack by [[Chi. Udayashankar]]. All the songs were sung by Rajkumar himself.

{{tracklist
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = Cheluveya Nota Chenna
| lyrics1 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra1 = [[Dr. Rajkumar]]
| length1 =
| title2 = Love Me Or Hate Me
| lyrics2 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra2 = Dr. Rajkumar
| length2 =
| title3 = Eneno Aase Nee Thanda
| lyrics3 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra3 = Dr. Rajkumar<br>[[Vani Jayaram]]
| length3 =
| title4 = Chinna Baallali Ee Raathri
| lyrics4 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra4 = Dr. Rajkumar
| length4 =
| title5 = Naa Benkiyanthe Naa Gaaliyanthe
| lyrics5 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra5 = Rajkumar<br>[[P. B. Sreenivas]]
| length5 =
| title6 = Cheluveya Nota Chenna (sad)
| lyrics6 = Chi. Udayashankar
| extra6 = Dr. Rajkumar
| length6 =
}}

== Release ==
''Shankar Guru'' was released on 17 February 1978<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/haalu-jenu-a-look-back.6313/page-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526070826/http://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/haalu-jenu-a-look-back.6313/page-3|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 May 2019|date=11 June 2015|access-date=13 November 2019|title=Haalu Jenu A Look back|website=Sandalwoodking.rocks}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Shankar Guru'' garnered positive responses from the audience as well as critics and was a phenomenal success in all centers and completed 100 days in many theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-11 |title=Dr. Rajkumar - Annavru, Karnataka Ratna, Kentucky Colonel, Padma Bhushan, Nata Saarvabhouma {{!}} Page 423 {{!}} Shivu aDDa Forum - Kannada Movie Discussion |url=https://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/dr-rajkumar-annavru-karnataka-ratna-kentucky-colonel-padma-bhushan-nata-saarvabhouma.4293/page-423 |access-date=2022-08-01 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111122810/https://www.sandalwoodking.rocks/threads/dr-rajkumar-annavru-karnataka-ratna-kentucky-colonel-padma-bhushan-nata-saarvabhouma.4293/page-423 |archive-date=11 November 2019 }}</ref> The film had a theatrical run of over a year and grossed {{INR}}3.26 crore in its final run. The film was declared a industry hit when it became the first Kannada film to gross over {{INR}}3 crores at the box office, breaking the record of 1972 film ''[[Bangaarada Manushya]]'' which also made the movie the highest grossing Kannada film of the 1970's.<ref name=":3">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070717135525/http://www.chitratara.com/showCelbProfile.asp?newsid=8 "Dr. Rajkumar films box office performance"]. ''chitratara.com''. 7 April 2007. Archived from [http://www.chitratara.com/showCelbProfile.asp?newsid=8 the original] on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2018.</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/enspBangarada-Manushya-1972/article15387785.ece | title=Bangarada Manushya 1972 | newspaper=The Hindu | date=22 August 2008 }}</ref><ref name="auto" />

== Remakes ==
It was remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Thirisoolam]]'', in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Kumara Raja (1978 film)|Kumara Raja]]'' and in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Mahaan (1983 film)|Mahaan]]'' in which Rajkumar's characters were played by [[Sivaji Ganesan]], [[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]] and [[Amitabh Bachchan]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shabbir |first=Anjum |date=10 October 2013 |title=FRAMING MOVIES Take Twenty-Four: Mahaan (1983) |url=https://bollyspice.com/framing-movies-take-twenty-four-mahaan-1983/ |access-date=29 November 2021 |website=Bollyspice.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2018 |title=18 Super-Hit Raj Kumar movie Remade to Other Languages Proves His Unbeatable Legacy |url=https://metrosaga.com/best-dr-rajkumar-movie/ |access-date=29 November 2021 |website=Metrosaga.com}}</ref> The Telugu version had [[Jayanthi (actress)|Jayanthi]] reprising [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]]'s role, while [[Jaya Prada]] reprised the role of [[Padmapriya (actress)|Padmapriya]]. The names of all the characters including the henchmen were retained in the Tamil version.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thirisoolam | Tamil Full Movie | Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Sripriya, Nambiar, Major Sundarrajan | date=25 February 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sgFq14dyMU |access-date=29 November 2021 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

== Awards ==
*1977–78 [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]
** [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]] – P. Bhaktavatsalam

== Trivia ==
The film's title ''Shankar Guru'' was named after [[Chi. Udayashankar]]'s sons Ravishankar and [[Chi. Guru Dutt]]. It was the first film in which [[Tiger Prabhakar]]'s character was named Tiger, and also marks Chandrashekhar's second collaboration with Rajkumar after ''[[Raja Nanna Raja]]''. During the making of the film, [[S. K. Bhagavan]] narrated a play called ''Lithuania'' by [[Rupert Brooke]] (titled ''The Return of the Soldier'' in [[Russian language|Russian]]) to Rajkumar. The film was planned to be shot in [[Ladakh]] and some preparation was undertaken, but Dr. Rajkumar backed out as he felt the story was too dark. In 2018, [[Dayal Padmanabhan]] adapted the play into a film titled ''[[Aa Karaala Ratri]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aa Karala Ratri: What happened when Bhagavan proposed the film to legendary filmmaker Rajkumar 40 years ago |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/aa-karala-ratri-what-happened-when-bhagavan-proposed-the-film-to-legendary-filmmaker-rajkumar-40-years-ago/articleshow/65019169.cms |access-date=29 November 2021 |newspaper=[[Bangalore Mirror]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|1401730}}

{{V. Somashekhar}}

[[Category:1978 films]]
[[Category:1978 Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:1978 Indian films]]
[[Category:Kannada films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films scored by Upendra Kumar]]
[[Category:Films directed by V. Somashekhar]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Twins in Indian films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Karnataka Police]]
[[Category:1970s masala films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karnataka]]
[[Category:1978 action films]]

Shankar Guru (1978 film) - Revision history

WilhelminaBoswel at 12:27, 1 April 2026