M. S. Rajashekar

M. S. Rajashekar is a prominent Kannada film director based in Bangalore.^[1] He made his directorial debut with Dhruva Thare starring Dr. Rajkumar and went on to make successful films like Ratha Sapthami, Mana Mechchida Hudugi and Nanjundi Kalyana. Most of his films were adapted from novels.

Personal life

He is the son of make up artist Subbanna.^[2] Rajasekhar's son Raghavendra (Dharani) made his directorial debut with Dhool (2011).^[3]

Career

After assisting director Vijay, Rajasekhar made his directorial debut with Dhruva Thare starring Dr. Rajkumar which became super hit. His second film Anuraga Aralithu was also successful. He directed Rajkumar's son Shivarajkumar in Ratha Sapthami and Mana Mecchida Hudugi.^[4] Both films alongside Anand became successful and earned Shivrajkumar the tag of "Hat Trick Hero". Rajasekhar again directed him in films during 1980s like Ade Raaga Ade Haadu and Aasegobba Meesegobba with former being average grosser and latter being a super hit. He introduced Rajkumar's second son in the leading role in family comedy Nanjundi Kalyana which also marked the debut of actress Malashree. The film became a successful venture which led the cast and crew to collaborate with Gajapathi Garvabhanga in a similar genre. Hrudaya Haadithu and Mannina Doni both films starred Ambareesh and were adapted from novels was successful. Both films featured Ambareesh in a soft natured character as opposed to action roles which he was playing up to that part of career.^[5] Midida Shruti and Muthanna which he again directed with Shivaraj did well. After the average success of Mana midiyuthu, Rajasekhar after four years sabbatical returned with Hrudaya Hrudaya, a romantic film with Shivarajkumar and Ramesh Aravind was an average grosser but was well known for the song "O Premada". However, in the later part of Rajasekhar's career in 2000s, he directed mostly remakes with Yaarige Saluthe Sambala and Dakota Express being only successful ventures while his subsequent ventures like Vijayasimha, Pakkadmane Hudugi and Ravi Shastri becoming failures. Ravi Shastri was the last film he had directed before his retirement.^[6]

Filmography

References