# Nagarahavu

**Nagarahavu** (Kannada: ನಾಗರಹಾವು, "cobra") is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by S. R. [Puttanna Kanagal](https://www.edgepedia.org/puttanna-kanagal) and produced by N. Veeraswamy, starring Vishnuvardhan as the hot-tempered young man Ramachari in his first lead role.<sup>[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/naagarahaavu)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)</sup> Released on 29 December 1972, it became a landmark of [Kannada cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/kannada-cinema), swept the [Karnataka State Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/karnataka-state-film-awards) for 1972–73, and launched the careers of Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh as leading men.<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup> It should not be confused with a 2016 Kannada fantasy film of the same name directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.<sup>[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nagarahavu-movie-review-even-vishnuvardhan-cant-save-this-film-3082424/lite/)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | 29 December 1972, in Kannada, in Eastman Color; censor certificate U<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup> |
| Director / producer | S. R. Puttanna Kanagal; produced by N. Veeraswamy for Sri Eswari Productions<sup>[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/naagarahaavu)</sup> |
| Source | Screenplay woven from three novels by T. R. Subba Rao (Ta.Ra.Su): *Nagarahavu*, *Sarpa Matsara*, and *Eradu Hennu Ondu Gandu*<sup>[2](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/gossip/-/articleshow/15618424.cms)</sup> |
| Lead cast | Vishnuvardhan (Ramachari), Aarathi (Alamelu), Shubha (Margaret), K. S. Ashwath (Chamayya Meshtru), Leelavathi (Thunga), Ambareesh (Jaleela)<sup>[7](https://auteurgraph.com/movie/naagarahaavu)</sup> |
| Music | Vijaya Bhaskar; songs with lyrics by R. N. Jayagopal, Chi Udayashankar, and Vijayanarasimha<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup> |
| Awards | Eight Karnataka State Film Awards for 1972–73, including Second Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress<sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup> |
| Remake | Hindi remake *Zehreela Insaan* (1974), directed by Kanagal with Rishi Kapoor<sup>[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/nagarahavu-1972-kannada)</sup> |

## Spoilers

### Story and setting

The film is set in [Chitradurga](https://www.edgepedia.org/chitradurga), in the 1950s, and follows Ramachari, an angry young man with a legendary temper whom the town brands a troublemaker.<sup>[2](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/nagarahavu/movie-review/65081613.cms)</sup> His only supporter is his old primary school teacher, Chamayya Meshtru, who believes Ramachari needs only time to mature.<sup>[2](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)</sup> Ramachari falls in love with Alamelu, whose parents forbid the marriage and force her to wed another man; when he discovers that her husband has become her pimp, he sets out to save her, aided quietly by Chamayya, a childless man who loves him as a son.<sup>[7](https://auteurgraph.com/movie/naagarahaavu)</sup> After Alamelu's marriage he also comes to love Margaret, who was already in love with him.<sup>[10](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/naagarahaavu-vs-kgf-what-comparison-cult-hits-reveals-about-kannada-cinema-116388)</sup>

The Rotten Tomatoes synopsis frames the plot as a clash of ideologies between Ramachari and his teacher that leads him to fight against the age-old caste system and other maladies corrupting society.<sup>[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/naagarahaavu)</sup> A scholarly reading in *ShodhKosh* argues that the film stages a genuine moral conflict between Ramachari and Chamayya, lets each pass judgment on the other, and withholds its own verdict on who was right.<sup>[11](https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/view/9238)</sup> The film opens and closes with the same images of rocks and the sun seen through a red filter, suggesting that despite the tumultuous events, nothing has actually changed in the town.<sup>[2](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)</sup>

## Production

Puttanna Kanagal built the screenplay by combining three novels by the Chitradurga writer T. R. Subba Rao, known as Ta.Ra.Su: *Sarpa Matsara*, *Eradu Hennu Ondu Gandu* ("Two Women, One Man"), and *Nagarahavu*.<sup>[6](https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/gossip/-/articleshow/15618424.cms)</sup> Shooting took place at the Chitradurga fort, and Kanagal treated the fort itself as a character in the film.<sup>[6](https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/gossip/-/articleshow/15618424.cms)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://chithrapatha.com/fort-city-chitradurga-and-film/)</sup> The film was made in 35 mm and later converted to a Cinemascope version.<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[13](https://www.kannadaprabha.com/cinema/news/2018/Jun/16/all-new-avatar-for-naagarahaavu-of-the-early-70s-317187.html)</sup>

**Casting and careers.** Vishnuvardhan, then credited as Kumar after a small part in *Vamshavruksha* (1972), played Ramachari; the role made him a star, and his performance as the angry youth was described as the prelude to a popular career.<sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup> [Ambareesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/ambareesh) entered the screen through the role of Jaleela.<sup>[12](https://chithrapatha.com/fort-city-chitradurga-and-film/)</sup> Kanagal had a reputation for casting newcomers rather than established leading actors, and is credited with introducing many actors, poets, and script writers to the industry.<sup>[14](https://www.worldwidejournals.com/indian-journal-of-applied-research-%28IJAR%29/recent_issues_pdf/2015/June/June_2015_1432982243__33.pdf)</sup>

The relationship with the source author soured. Subba Rao later disowned the film, and supporters of Kanagal attacked him for allegedly not understanding his own story; at one public event he called the film "Kere Haavu" ("pond snake") in Kanagal's presence, though the disagreement subsided within days according to Kanagal's biographer D. B. Basavegowda.<sup>[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/nagarahavu-1972-kannada)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[15](https://ka16kss75.blogspot.com/search?max-results=7&updated-max=2008-01-21T05%3A29%3A00-08%3A00)</sup>

## Music

Vijaya Bhaskar composed the score, with lyrics by Vijayanarasimha, Chi Udayashankar, and R. N. Jayagopal.<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup> Songs include "Karpoorada Gombe Naanu" ([P. Susheela](https://www.edgepedia.org/p-susheela)), "Haavina Dwesha Hanneradu Varusha" ([S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-balasubrahmanyam)), "Baare Baare Chendada Cheluvina Thaare" and "Kannada Naadina Veera Ramaniya" (P. B. Srinivas), and "Sangama Sangama Anuraaga Sanga" (P. B. Srinivas and P. Susheela).<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup> The rebellious "Nanna rosha" number is set to a marching beat, and the climactic hotel sequence has Alamelu bursting into song to explain her condition.<sup>[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/nagarahavu-1972-kannada)</sup> Reviewers decades later noted that audiences still sing the songs from memory.<sup>[16](https://letterboxd.com/film/naagarahaavu/reviews/)</sup>

## Reception and legacy

The film ran to hundred-day celebrations in theaters across [Karnataka](https://www.edgepedia.org/karnataka), and a Kannada-cinema history records that it celebrated a record 25 consecutive weeks in theaters.<sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[17](https://kpscguide.com/notes/karnataka-28-kannada-cinema/)</sup> At the 1972–73 Karnataka State Film Awards the film set a record by taking home eight honors: Second Best Film; Best Actor, won by Vishnuvardhan; Best Actress, won by Aarathi; Best Supporting Actor, won by K. S. Ashwath; Best Supporting Actress, won by Shubha; Best Story Writer, won by Ta.Ra.Su; Best [Screenplay](https://www.edgepedia.org/screenplay), won by Puttanna Kanagal; and Best Dialogue Writer, won by Chi Udayashankar.<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup> It was remade in three languages, including the Hindi *Zehreela Insaan* (1974).<sup>[4](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/nagarahavu-1972-kannada)</sup>

**Enduring status.** The Times of India gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and called its classic status undisputed, with every viewer having a favorite song or moment.<sup>[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/nagarahavu/movie-review/65081613.cms)</sup> On BookMyShow it holds 9.5/10 from more than 9,000 votes.<sup>[18](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/amp/nagarahavu-1972/ET00079650)</sup> A digitized Cinemascope version was re-released on 20 July 2018 at the Narthaki theater.<sup>[3](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[13](https://www.kannadaprabha.com/cinema/news/2018/Jun/16/all-new-avatar-for-naagarahaavu-of-the-early-70s-317187.html)</sup> Commentators have linked the film's Ramachari to the "angry young man" archetype in [Indian cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/cinema-of-india), though one [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) reviewer argues his anger is presented as temperament rather than righteous grievance.<sup>[16](https://letterboxd.com/film/naagarahaavu/reviews/)</sup>

## The 2016 film of the same name

A separate Kannada film titled **Nagarahavu** was released in 2016, directed by the Telugu filmmaker [Kodi Ramakrishna](https://www.edgepedia.org/kodi-ramakrishna). It is a fantasy in which a woman, Naganika, transforms into a snake in her next life to seek revenge after being killed by the tantrik Kapali, who covets an ancient monument her family guards.<sup>[19](https://ottasia.com/title/movie/557784/nagarahavu?country=IN)</sup> The film was marketed as the 201st film of the late Vishnuvardhan, who appears through digital recreation as King Nagaraja.<sup>[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nagarahavu-movie-review-even-vishnuvardhan-cant-save-this-film-3082424/lite/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[19](https://ottasia.com/title/movie/557784/nagarahavu?country=IN)</sup> [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) review called the screenplay absurd and the visual effects bizarre, and the film performed poorly at the box office.<sup>[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nagarahavu-movie-review-even-vishnuvardhan-cant-save-this-film-3082424/lite/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[10](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/naagarahaavu-vs-kgf-what-comparison-cult-hits-reveals-about-kannada-cinema-116388)</sup> It runs about 2 hours 22 minutes and streams free with ads in India on Zee5.<sup>[19](https://ottasia.com/title/movie/557784/nagarahavu?country=IN)</sup>

## References

1. [Naagarahaavu, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/naagarahaavu)
2. [Nagara Haavu (1972), Cinema Chaat](https://cinemachaat.com/2017/04/14/nagara-haavu-1972/)
3. [Nagarahavu – ನಾಗರಹಾವು (1972), Kannada Movies Info](https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/nagarahavu-1972/)
4. [ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್ @ 75, Eedina](https://eedina.com/state/vishnuvardhan-75-an-artist-who-stood-against-the-course-of-time/2025-09-17/)
5. [Nagarahavu movie review, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nagarahavu-movie-review-even-vishnuvardhan-cant-save-this-film-3082424/lite/)
6. [ನಾಗರ ಹಾವು ನಲವತ್ತು, Vijaya Karnataka](https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/gossip/-/articleshow/15618424.cms)
7. [Naagarahaavu (1972), AuteurGraph](https://auteurgraph.com/movie/naagarahaavu)
8. [Nagarahavu (1972), Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/nagarahavu-1972-kannada)
9. [Nagarahavu Movie Review {4/5}, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/nagarahavu/movie-review/65081613.cms)
10. ['Naagarahaavu' vs 'KGF', The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/naagarahaavu-vs-kgf-what-comparison-cult-hits-reveals-about-kannada-cinema-116388)
11. [The Teacher, the Pupil and the Limits of Moral Authority in Nagarahavu (1972), ShodhKosh](https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/view/9238)
12. [ಮದಕರಿ ನಾಡು ಮತ್ತು ಸಿನಿಮಾ, Chitrapatha](https://chithrapatha.com/fort-city-chitradurga-and-film/)
13. ['ನಾಗರಹಾವು' ಹೊಸ ಅವತಾರದಲ್ಲಿ, Kannada Prabha](https://www.kannadaprabha.com/cinema/news/2018/Jun/16/all-new-avatar-for-naagarahaavu-of-the-early-70s-317187.html)
14. [Research paper on Puttanna Kanagal, Indian Journal of Applied Research](https://www.worldwidejournals.com/indian-journal-of-applied-research-%28IJAR%29/recent_issues_pdf/2015/June/June_2015_1432982243__33.pdf)
15. [KA16 ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ 75 (blog notes on Ta.Ra.Su and Nagarahavu)](https://ka16kss75.blogspot.com/search?max-results=7&updated-max=2008-01-21T05%3A29%3A00-08%3A00)
16. [Reviews of Naagarahaavu (1972), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/naagarahaavu/reviews/)
17. [ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಇತಿಹಾಸ, KPSC Guide](https://kpscguide.com/notes/karnataka-28-kannada-cinema/)
18. [Nagarahavu (1972), BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/amp/nagarahavu-1972/ET00079650)
19. [Nagarahavu (2016) streaming guide, OTTAsia](https://ottasia.com/title/movie/557784/nagarahavu?country=IN)

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*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*

*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license