Naa Ninna Bidalare: Anant Nag's classic is a battle between obsession and devotion
In this week's Retro Review, we pick a 1979 Kannada horror film that set trends, made waves and gave an iconic on-screen pair. 'Naa Ninna Bidalare' is a milestone film in the esteemed careers of Lakshmi and Anant Nag, who were considered an iconic on-screen pair during their prime. The film established Anant Nag's acting prowess as well as his potential to pull audiences to the theatres.Film: Naa Ninna Bidalare (1979)Cast: Anant Nag, Lakshmi, K Vijaya, KS Ashwath, Leelavathi, Balakrishna, Musuri Krishnamurthy among others.Director: Vijay ReddiBox-Office Status: Blockbuster (Ran in theatres for over 100 days)Where to Watch: YouTubeWhy to Watch: Anant Nag-Lakshmi on-screen chemistry, screenplay, peak horror, beautiful songsadvertisementToxicity in relationships and romance is one of the most talked-about topics currently, in cinema or otherwise. Red flags, obsession, stalking, coercion, manipulation, etc., on one side - green flags, loyalty, trust, devotion, etc., on the other - and we often find characters in films and people around us in real life oscillating and stuck between these poles; all in the name of love.Now imagine a film that is almost four decades old addressing the same issues, but with a magnified perspective. That's 'Naa Ninna Badalare' for you - a 1979 Kannada film that talks about the same problems but on a deeper, darker and scarier level.
On one end, we have Kamini, played by K Vijaya, who represents all the negative connotations of love listed above; and on the other, we have Gayathri, played by Lakshmi, who represents the positive. Struggling in between is Krishna, played by Anant Nag, who is married to his childhood love Gayathri but becomes blue-eyed due to Kamini's obsession - a love that haunts him literally.
A poster of 'Naa Ninna Bidalare'
advertisementThe Plot in a nutshellThe film begins with Krishna attempting to study for his exams, but his focus quickly falters, thanks to a photo of Gayathri tucked inside his textbook. The picture acts like a bookmark - or maybe a checkpoint in the syllabus - as if he's promised himself he can see her only after completing a set number of chapters.Once the exams are done, Krishna heads back to his village. But instead of going home, he rushes straight to see Gayathri. Having grown up together - their parents being siblings - Krishna and Gayathri have shared a bond since childhood. Their love story feels destined, even unofficially betrothed over the years.What follows is a string of cinematic highs: Krishna jumps off a moving train just to get to Gayathri immediately; a retro classic, 'Naanu Neenu Ondada Mele' by SP Balasubrahmanyam and S Janaki, sets the tone; there's drama, comedy, and a wedding fixed before you know it. Then comes another SPB–S Janaki gem, 'Hosa Balige Nee Joteyaade', played on their first night as a married couple. Just when things seem to be heading toward a near-consummation of marriage - boom - the pre-interval twist drops: in a graveyard, Krishna is blue (eye)balled, and the camera pans ominously to the name... Kamini.
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This is where the film really gets into its element and picks up pace. Who is Kamini? What happened to Krishna? Was Krishna loyal to Gayathri while he was away for his studies? Will Gayathri be able to save her husband from the clutches of Kamini? The answers to these questions - delivered in the most conventional and classic manner - form the plot of the rest of the film. Not just that, but these very answers are what made the film a classic in the rich filmographies of cinema icons like Anant Nag and Lakshmi.Themes of romance: Red flags and green flags'Naa Ninna Bidalare', which translates to 'I won't leave you' in Kannada, is applicable in two ways: the innocent, dedicated love of Gayathri and the toxic obsession of Kamini - both directed at Krishna. While 'red flags' and 'green flags' are terms popularised by Gen-Z, the theme itself has existed for as long as love has been relevant, and cinema has long explored these dynamics.While Anant Nag as a possessed Krishna looks terrifying, the conversations between Kamini in Krishna's possessed body and Gayathri are just as catty as ever - conversations between two women over a man. The dialogue, 'Baa re baa!', is so iconic that it's the first thing that comes to mind for anyone who has watched the film. And the pre-climax clash between the metaphorical green and red flag? It's the kind of spicy (masaledaar) showdown that reality shows today could only dream of staging.
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advertisementThe film takes a moral standpoint, holding up a mirror to reflect the contrast between these polar-opposite forces. Sitting in 2025, it might come off as a tad preachy in its portrayal of a modern city girl versus a traditional village girl. But if you look past the obvious classic template, you can see how these women represent all the traits we now label individually - what was once simply considered good or bad.The classic template: Old now but gold thenThe story, screenplay, and technical aspects of the film follow what we now recognise as 'the template'. In the realm of love-centric dramas, it has all the familiar ingredients: a noble and charming hero, a heroine who's the epitome of virtue, families who heighten the drama without offering real solutions, a couple of comic side characters, and a female villain who's the complete opposite of the ideal heroine. And since the villain is a ghost, it's ultimately God who steps in to save the day.advertisementOn paper, it might sound like a film you've seen a hundred times before, but what makes this old gem feel like gold is the way it has been presented. A classic template done right is still entertaining today, so just imagine the kind of craze this film must have had - which, for a 1979 release, can still be considered ahead of its time. While the elements follow the template, the treatment does not. Most importantly, the comic scenes are an extension of the main plot, and not just a random ape-man showing up in the city and harassing women under the guise of comedy. This shows that building a story was given the most importance and not a mindless integration of elements.Evergreen music and immortal voicesSP Balasubrahmanyam, S Janaki, and P Susheela are pillars of playback singing in Indian cinema. Just these names, along with the music cassettes sold, were enough to make this film a profitable venture. Those were the days when such musical icons were no less than superstars on screen. The immortal voices of these stalwarts struck the right chord, elevating the cinematic experience and instantly establishing the chemistry between the characters.
P Susheela, SP Balasubramaniyam and S Janaki (from the left), some of the most accomplished singers in Indian cinema
advertisementThe four songs in the film - the devotional 'Bidenu Ninna Paada', the saucy anti-romantic 'Endendigoo Naa Ninna', the song of unification 'Hosa Balige Nee Joteyaade', and the ever-romantic 'Naanu Neenu Ondada' - form a playlist, and a set of voices, that are truly immortal.Anant Nag and Lakshmi: One of the finest on-screen couplesLakshmi, or 'Julie Lakshmi', became a nationwide sensation with her debut film for her beauty and on-screen charm. Anant Nag, on the other hand, was a consistent presence in parallel cinema, frequently seen in Shyam Benegal's award-winning films like 'Ankur', 'Nishant', and 'Kalyug'. While these roles marked their entry into the Hindi film industry, both actors carved out their own success stories in South Indian cinema before coming together on screen.Lakshmi, who debuted in 1968, was soon cast opposite some of the biggest names in South Indian cinema - from Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan to MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, NT Rama Rao, and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. She steadily built a strong portfolio, eventually establishing herself as a female superstar of that era.Anant Nag, meanwhile, made his debut in 1973 after gaining prominence in theatre. He gradually rose in popularity for his chocolate-hero image in commercial films, while also making a mark in several award-winning parallel cinema projects. When the two were paired together in 'Naa Ninna Bidalare' (1979), their chemistry was so widely appreciated that they went on to star in several more Kannada films together, becoming a formula for guaranteed commercial success. A lasting legacyA film becomes a classic when it refuses to fade with time and continues to live on in the minds of its audience. This is one such film - not just because its themes still resonate today, but because its storytelling sets it apart from the rest. What truly cements its legacy, however, are two unforgettable forces: the iconic pairing of Padma Bhushan Anant Nag and Lakshmi, and Kannada cinema's eternal blue-eyed boy - Krishna. - Ends
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