{ "id": "ep11b0accd", "slug": "bangarada-manushya", "title": "Bangarada Manushya", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.kannada-films-before-2010", "label": "Kannada films before 2010", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.kannada-films-before-2010" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Bangarada Manushya (ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ, Man of Gold) is a 1972 Kannada drama directed by Siddalingaiah, starring Rajkumar, a landmark rural hit that ran nearly four years in Bangalore.", "snippet": "Bangarada Manushya (ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ, Man of Gold) is a 1972 Kannada drama directed by Siddalingaiah, starring Rajkumar, a landmark rural hit that ran nearly four years in Bangalore.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.kannada-films-before-2010", "markdown": "# Bangarada Manushya\n\n**Bangarada Manushya** (ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ; English translation: Man of Gold) is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Siddalingaiah, starring Rajkumar as Rajeeva, a city man who gives up his urban career to help his widowed sister and her family in their village[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf). Produced by R. Lakshman and Gopal for Srinidhi Productions, it was released on 31 March 1972 and became one of the biggest commercial successes in [Kannada cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/kannada-cinema), running for nearly four years in [Bangalore](https://www.edgepedia.org/bangalore)[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf) • [2](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972).\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 31 March 1972, Kannada language, Eastman Color, CBFC U certificate dated 24 March 1972[2](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972) • [3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/) |\n| Director / producers | Siddalingaiah (director and screenplay); R. Lakshman and Gopal, producers[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf) |\n| Source | Based on the novel *Bangarada Manushya* by T. K. Rama Rao; dialogue by Hunsur Krishnamurthy[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/) |\n| Lead cast | Rajkumar (Rajeeva), Bharathi (Lakshmi), Aarathi (Sharavathi), Loknath (Ramachandra)[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315255/) |\n| Music | G. K. Venkatesh; the song \"Nagu Nagutha Nali\" was sung by P. B. Srinivas[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf) • [3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/) |\n| Box office | Ran nearly four years in Bangalore; two years continuously at the States theater in Bangalore and 60 weeks at the Chamundeshwari theater in Mysore[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf) • [6](https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/dr-rajkumar-starrer-bangarada-manushya-movie-completes-50-years-mdn-362758.html/amp) |\n| Budget | INR 250,000[2](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nRajeeva, an educated man living in the city, travels to his ancestral village to visit his sister Sharadha. On the way from the railway station he sings \"Nagu Nagutha Nali\", a song whose inspirational lyrics made it a major hit[2](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972). He arrives to find that his brother-in-law has died and the family is in financial trouble, and he decides to stay and help them[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315255/).\n\nThe film is described in the Indian Panorama catalog as a ruralist melodrama in which the hero abandons his urban career to help his widowed sister and her impoverished family reestablish themselves. Overcoming the ingratitude of his elder brother [Ramachandra](https://www.edgepedia.org/ramachandra) (Loknath) and the self-serving opposition of several villagers, he builds a house symbolizing the family's success[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf) • [7](https://indiancine.ma/OWM). His wife Lakshmi (Bharathi), chased by a bull, falls into a well and drowns. Rajeeva is accused of bigamy with a woman (Aarathi) who is later revealed to be the illegitimate daughter of his late brother-in-law, whom he had secretly protected. In the end he renounces all worldly possessions[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf).\n\nThe BIFFes festival catalog summarizes the film's themes as rural development, modern agricultural practices, and social unity[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf).\n\n## Production\n\nThe film was based on the novel *Bangarada Manushya* by T. K. Rama Rao, with a screenplay by Siddalingaiah and dialogue by Hunsur Krishnamurthy[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/). Lyrics were written by Hunsur Krishnamurthy, Chi Udayashankar, R. N. Jayagopal, and Vijaya Narasimha[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/). G. K. Venkatesh composed the music, D. V. Rajaram was the cinematographer, and P. Bhaktavatsalam edited the film[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf).\n\nThe cast included Rajkumar, Bharathi, Aarathi, Srinath, Advani Lakshmi Devi, Loknath, Dwarakish, Vajramuni, T. N. Balakrishna, and M. P. Shankar[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315255/). Playback singers included P. B. Srinivas, [S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-balasubrahmanyam), and [P. Susheela](https://www.edgepedia.org/p-susheela)[2](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972). The film was shot in Eastman Color, passed by the censor board with a U certificate on 24 March 1972 in 20 reels, and produced under the Srinidhi Productions banner with Rajkamal Arts as presenter[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/).\n\n## Release and box office\n\nThe film was released across [Karnataka](https://www.edgepedia.org/karnataka) on 31 March 1972[8](https://www.vijayavani.net/bangarada-manushya-completes-48-years). According to producer R. Lakshman's obituary in the Indian Panorama catalog, it ran for nearly four years in Bangalore and was declared the biggest hit at the time of its release[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf). TV9 Kannada records that it screened continuously for two years at the States theater in Bangalore and for 60 weeks at the Chamundeshwari theater in Mysore, and ran successfully for a year in many other theaters[6](https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/dr-rajkumar-starrer-bangarada-manushya-movie-completes-50-years-mdn-362758.html/amp). The Indian Panorama catalog calls it the biggest hit of Rajkumar's career in the 1970s and one of the top grossers of Kannada cinema[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf).\n\nWhen re-released in 1988, the film ran for 25 weeks[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf) • [6](https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/dr-rajkumar-starrer-bangarada-manushya-movie-completes-50-years-mdn-362758.html/amp).\n\n## Awards\n\nThe film won Karnataka State Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematographer, and Best Editor[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf). IMDb lists 4 wins in total[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315255/).\n\n## Legacy\n\nThe film is credited with inspiring many people to return to their ancestral villages and take up agriculture[5](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf). The News Minute describes it as the longest-running Kannada film and the most successful Kannada movie of all time, and notes that it inspired many to take up farming[9](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bangarada-manushya-how-kannada-classic-inspired-many-take-farming-83425).\n\nIts standing in Kannada film history is reflected in later references. The Indian Panorama catalog calls it \"the epic film that changed the course of Kannada film history\"[1](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf). A 2017 film, *Bangara S/O Bangarada Manushya*, starring Shivarajkumar, built directly on the 1972 film's farmer-centric legacy, casting its hero as the son of the original film's protagonist and following a story about saving farmers from land acquisition[10](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/review-bangara-so-bangarada-manushya-has-little-offer-besides-nostalgic-look-dr-rajkumar).\n\nSiddalingaiah, who also directed *Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu* (1974), is considered one of the most commercially successful directors of the genre, with *Bangarada Manushya* his most popular work; he received the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to Kannada cinema as a director in 1993-94[11](https://15th.biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf) • [12](https://biffes.org/frontend/images/widget/08th-Biffes-Festival-Catalogue-2016.pdf).\n\n## References\n\n1. [Indian Panorama Catalogue 2009, Directorate of Film Festivals (R. Lakshman obituary and Bangarada Manushya entry)](https://www.dff.nic.in/images/Documents/115_IPCatalogue2009.pdf)\n2. [Bangaarada Manushya (1972) Cast & Crew, Chiloka](https://chiloka.com/movie/bangaarada-manushya-1972)\n3. [Bangarada Manushya (1972), Kannada Movies Info](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/bangarada-manushya-1972/)\n4. [Bangarada Manushya (1972), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315255/)\n5. [14th Bengaluru International Film Festival catalogue (2023), Bangarada Manushya entry](https://biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf)\n6. [Bangarada Manushya completes 50 years, TV9 Kannada](https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/dr-rajkumar-starrer-bangarada-manushya-movie-completes-50-years-mdn-362758.html/amp)\n7. [Bangarada Manushya (1972), Indiancine.ma](https://indiancine.ma/OWM)\n8. [Bangarada Manushya completes 48 years, Vijayavani](https://www.vijayavani.net/bangarada-manushya-completes-48-years)\n9. [How this Kannada classic inspired many to take up farming, The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bangarada-manushya-how-kannada-classic-inspired-many-take-farming-83425)\n10. [Review: Bangara S/O Bangarada Manushya, The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/review-bangara-so-bangarada-manushya-has-little-offer-besides-nostalgic-look-dr-rajkumar)\n11. [14th BIFFes catalogue, Siddalingaiah profile](https://15th.biffes.org/public/assets/images/pdf/14th%20Biffes%20Book%20Final%2019th%20March%202023.pdf)\n12. [8th BIFFes Festival Catalogue 2016](https://biffes.org/frontend/images/widget/08th-Biffes-Festival-Catalogue-2016.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Kannada films before 2010*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Bangarada Manushya\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Bangarada Manushya](https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya](https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Bangarada Manushya\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bangarada-manushya. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Bangarada Manushya is a 1972 Kannada drama directed by Siddalingaiah, starring Rajkumar, a landmark rural hit that ran nearly four years in Bangalore." }