Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 26: Spending even a decade in the film industry is no small feat — but completing five decades is a remarkable achievement. Veteran Kannada filmmaker S V Rajendra Singh Babu, who recently completed 50 years in cinema, stands as a towering figure in the Kannada film industry. Now aged 72, he continues to make films with undiminished passion and creativity. He is widely credited with giving new direction to the careers of Kannada superstars Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh.

Rajendra Singh Babu hails from a family deeply rooted in cinema. His father, Shankar Singh, was a well-known film producer who ran the Mahatma Films banner, while his mother, Prathima Devi, was a popular actress. Both were active in the industry between 1945 and 2005, setting the stage for Babu’s creative journey.

The beginning of a distinguished career

Babu made his directorial debut with the film Naagakanye, starring Vishnuvardhan and Bhavani. The story was penned by H Krishnamurthy, and Babu not only directed but also produced the film. His collaboration with Vishnuvardhan continued in Naagarahole (1977) and Kiladi Jodi, making the superstar his leading man in his first three films.

Turning points for Ambareesh and Vishnuvardhan

In 1981, Babu directed Antha, a film that became a turning point in Ambareesh’s career. Until then, Ambareesh was known mostly for villainous roles or multi-starrer films, but Antha established him as a solo hero and elevated his stardom.

Similarly, Babu’s collaboration with Vishnuvardhan yielded several memorable films, notably Bandhana, which won over family audiences and became one of the most beloved romantic dramas in Kannada cinema.

‘Veera Kambala’: The latest bi-lingual Tulu, Kannada venture

Rajendra Singh Babu’s latest directorial venture is ‘Veera Kambala’, featuring Prakash Raj, Ravishankar, Srinivasa Gowda (the Kambala jockey who shot to fame for his record-breaking sprint), and Swaraj Shetty (known for his role in Kantara). The film will also feature Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade of Dharmasthala in a significant role.

The film is being released in both Kannada and Tulu languages — the Tulu version titled Birdd Da Kambul — and is expected to highlight the rich cultural tradition of the coastal region through the famed Kambala sport.