Sri Manjunatha (film)
A hagiographical film about a Shiva devotee.
In 2001, the Kannada and Telugu hagiographical film *Sri Manjunatha* was released, directed by Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao, who hailed from the Mummidivaram region of Andhra Pradesh. The movie recounts the story of Bhakta Manjunatha, a devotee of Shiva associated with the Kotilingeshwara Temple. Its main cast includes Chiranjeevi, Arjun Sarja, Soundarya, Meena, Ambareesh, and Sumalatha. For the Telugu version, certain scenes were reshot: Chiranjeevi’s parts were refilmed, and actors Brahmanandam and Tanikella Bharani took over roles originally played by Dwarakish and Mimicry Dayanand; the remaining footage was dubbed from the Kannada original.
The film debuted worldwide on 22 June 2001. It earned positive reviews and achieved moderate box-office success.
The name Manjunatha refers to an aspect of Shiva: "Manju" means snow, and "Natha" means lord, referencing Shiva’s abode on Mount Kailash and his role as ruler of that dimension. In Karnataka, Manjunatha is a common male name, and Manjula its female counterpart, both often shortened to "Manju," largely due to the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swami Temple in Dharmasthala, Karnataka.
The plot follows Manjunatha, an atheist who nonetheless helps others and fights evil. Though he scorns Lord Shiva, Shiva watches over him through his vehicle Nandi and attendant Bhrungi. Manjunatha marries Katyayini, and they have a son, Siddhartha ("Siddhu"), a devout Shiva follower. After marriage, Manjunatha comes to believe in Shiva and transforms into a devoted worshipper. He lights the lamps of the Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala without a matchstick, impressing everyone, including King Ambikeswara Maharaju, who honors him in court—though Manjunatha dislikes the attention. The king then learns that Manjunatha is fated to die. Manjunatha undertakes a Koti Lingam Puja, worshiping over a thousand lingams alongside the king, who sings the Lingashtakam. Despite troubles from enemies, Lord Shiva appears in various disguises to aid Manjunatha, ultimately helping him and his wife achieve salvation.
The film was launched at the Sri Manjunatheswara temple in Dharmasthala, at a Ganesha Temple in R T Nagar, Bangalore, and at Kanteerava Studios.
A critic from Chitraloka called it a masterpiece in Kannada film history, while Online Ba
- Release date
- 22 June 2001
- Language
- Kannada and Telugu
- Director
- Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao
- Based on
- Life of Bhakta Manjunatha of the Kotilingeshwara Temple
- Main cast
- Chiranjeevi, Arjun Sarja, Soundarya, Meena, Ambareesh, Sumalatha
- Box office
- Moderate success
Quick Facts
- Director
- Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao
- Producer
- Nara Jaya Sridevi
- Writer
- J. K. Bharavi (story and dialogues)
- Starring
- Chiranjeevi / Arjun / Soundarya / Ambareesh / Meena / Sumalatha / Aanand Vardhan
- Music
- Hamsalekha
- Cinematography
- Sundarnath Suvarna
- Editing
- R. Janardhan
- Studio
- Chinni films
- Released
- 2001 · 06 · 22 · df=yes
- Runtime
- 157 minutes
- Country
- India
- Language
- Kannada · Telugu
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's plot follows Manjunatha, an atheist who helps others and fights evil, despite hating his namesake Lord Shiva. He marries Katyayini, and they have a son, Siddhartha, who is a staunch Shiva devotee. After marriage, Manjunatha realizes the existence of Lord Shiva and transforms into a great devotee, lighting the lamps of the Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala without a matchstick, winning the hearts of all including the local King Ambikeswara Maharaju. The king later realizes Manjunatha is going to die. Manjunatha performs a Koti Lingam Puja with over 1,000 lingams, and Lord Shiva aids him in various disguises, helping him and his wife attain salvation.
Reader's Guide
The film was launched at Sri Manjunatheswara temple at Dharmasthala, at Ganesha Temple at R T Nagar in Bangalore, and at Kanteerava Studios. Upon release on 22 June 2001 worldwide, it received positive reviews and was a moderate success at the box office. It was screened at the International Film Festival of India. Critics from Chitraloka and Online Bangalore called it a masterpiece in Kannada film history. For the Telugu version, Jeevi of Idlebrain.com praised the use of histrionics of Chiranjeevi, Arjun, and other actors, while a critic from Full Hyderabad noted the film's honesty to its genre. The film's background notes that Manjunatha is an aspect of Shiva, meaning 'lord of snow,' and is a common name in Karnataka, largely due to the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swami Temple.
Did You Know?
- The film was partially reshot in Telugu with Chiranjeevi's scenes redone and Brahmanandam and Tanikella Bharani replacing Dwarakish and Mimicry Dayanand.
- The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India.
- Manjunatha means 'lord of snow' and is a common name in Karnataka, often associated with the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swami Temple.
- The film's plot includes Manjunatha lighting temple lamps without a matchstick.
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