Aptharakshaka
(transl. Close Savior) is a 2010 Indian Kannada-language horror film directed by P. Vasu and written by V. R. Bhaskar. The film stars Vishnuvardhan in his 200th Kannada cinema, along with an ensemble cast including Vimala Raman, Sandhya, Bhavana Ramanna, Avinash, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, and Komal Kumar. The film is a sequel to the 2004 Kannada blockbuster film Apthamitra. The film was released nearly two months after Vishnuvardhan died on 30 December 2009.
The film was released on 19 February 2010 to highly positive reviews. The movie was remade in Telugu as Nagavalli (2010). The movie was dubbed in Telugu as Raja Vijaya Rajendra Bahadur (Nagavalli - Return of Chandramukhi) in Hindi as Sab Ka Rakhwala under the production of Sumeet Arts and in Bengali as Amar Rakshak.
Contents
Plot
The story starts off with an ancient painting of Nagavalli (Vimala Raman) floating away to distant places, where it finally comes into the hands of a village painter. The painter brings it home so as to restore it back to its original look. However, when his wife asks him to sell the painting, he becomes furious, saying that he would not sell it even at the cost of his life. The next day, the painter is shown to be dead, possibly by suicide. The painting is then sold off to a dance competition, which was distributed as a prize to Bharatanatyam dancer Saraswathi (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy), her husband, and her family.
Meanwhile, on the engagement day of Gowri (Sandhya), one of her friends fainted after encountering a 30-foot snake, and the bridegroom had run away from the family house fearing something. Many strange incidents happened, so the family called for a snake charmer to the house, but the snake charmer died when he attempted to make the serpent appear. The family members are psychologically affected by the presence of Nagavalli's painting, and things have not been going well in the house, so they decide to contact Acharya Ramchandra Shastry (Avinash), an astrologer cum sage. The father of the three daughters tells Sastry that Saraswathi and her husband met with a fatal accident and died, after the Bharatnatyam competition. Sastry takes the help of Dr. Vijay (Vishnuvardhan), a psychiatrist, to solve the problem. All directions point to the huge portrait of Nagavalli, and it is observed that the portrait is the cause of this. Everyone is warned not to go to the outhouse or to the room where the painting is.
One night, Vijay goes to the outhouse as he hears anklet sounds, and he sees another smaller portrait of Nagavalli in the outhouse. It is then revealed that Saraswathi is still alive, but she became mad after a truck accident in which her husband died while he was carrying the painting of Nagavalli, and that she said that no one accepted to marry the second daughter Geetha because Saraswathi was mad, and so Geetha vowed that she would not marry, and since they did not want Gowri's situation to be like this, they lied by saying that Saraswathi was dead and locked her up in the outhouse. On a few occasions, someone attempted to murder Sastry twice. Suspecting Saraswathi, Sastry asks the family members to bring Saraswathi to the temple and that he will show everyone that Nagavalli is in Saraswathi's body, but as Saraswathi steps towards the temple, all the animals run out of the temple. Suspecting each and every person in the family, Vijay starts to investigate everything, so he goes to the library to read a book based on Vijaya Rajendra Bahadur's life and further information on Nagavalli too.
Production
Casting
Vimala Raman was selected as the lead female role to reprise the role of 'Nagavalli'.Later Tamil actress, Sandhya was added to the cast as the second female lead. Lead actor Vishnuvardhan died following a cardiac arrest on 30 December 2009.
Filming
The film started filming in March 2009 in Palani, Tamil Nadu. The majority of shooting was done in Mysore. The fort, where the villain Vijaya Rajendra Bahadur resides, is based on the real fort located in Gingee.
Television Rights
Kannada Version Rights are acquired by Star Suvarna and Star Suvarna Plus.
Telugu dubbed version rights are acquired by Star Maa.
Hindi dubbed version rights are acquired by UTV.
Bengali dubbed Version rights are acquired by Zee Bangla Cinema.
Reception
Critics
The film got almost good reviews from critics. Shruti Indira Lakshminarayana of Rediff.com scored the film at 4 out of 5 stars and says "Vishnuvardhan. Location and costumes add to the plot. The use of graphics is seen throughout the film. In short, Aptharakshaka reminds you of the great talent that the Kannada industry has lost in Vishnuvardhan. This one is a must watch". Bangalore Mirror wrote "P Vasu deserves all the praise for deft handling of an interesting plot he has conceived. There is hardly a scene that is out of place. Gurukiran's music and PKH Doss' camera work complement the film that is a must watch". BS Srivani of Deccan Herald wrote "The bevy of beauties - Vimala Raman, Lakshmi Gopalswamy and Sandhya- together provide perfect support to Vishnu. This story could have been evolved into a perfect series. If only Vishnu was alive!"
Box office
The grand opening in Bangalore was well attended, with black market tickets selling for up to Rs 300. The movie completed a silver jubilee run at the box office.
Awards
Vishnuvardhan won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for his scintillating and splendid performance in this film.
Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer- Lakshmi Nataraj for the song "Omkara Abhinaya Veda"
Filmfare Awards
Won
Best Supporting Actor – Kannada - Avinash
Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada - Dr.S. P. Balasubrahmanyam - "Gharane"
Best Lyricist – Kannada - Kaviraj - "Gharane"
Nominated
Best Film – Kannada - Krishna Kumar
Best Supporting Actress – Kannada - Lakshmi Gopalaswamy
Best Music Director – Kannada - Guru Kiran