Boothayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)

Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (Kannada: ಭೂತಯ್ಯನ ಮಗ ಅಯ್ಯು) is a 1974 Indian Kannada language film directed by Siddalingaiah, based on the novel Vayyari by Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, and starring Vishnuvardhan, Lokesh and M. P. Shankar in lead roles. The film is deemed to be a landmark in Kannada cinema.

Vishnuvardhan (Gulla), Lokesh (Ayyu), and M. P. Shankar (Bhootayya) play the main characters. Lokesh won the State Award for this movie. The best actress award was won by Bhavani & the best supporting actress was won by the veteran artiste Rushyendramani. Incidentally, the only film in which the grandmother and granddaughter duo of Bhavani and Rushyendramani ever shared screen space in.
The film was artistically directed by Bangarada Manushya fame Siddalingaiah. D. V. Rajaram won accolades for the fantastic cinematography, which is considered one of his lifetime bests. The cinematography and the acting skills of the lead characters remains the most positive point of the movie in addition to a strong and touching storyline.

Music was scored by G.K. Venkatesh and the film also has some very good songs rendered by P.B. Srinivas and S. Janaki. "Malenada Henna Mai Banna" is one of the evergreen songs in the history of Kannada films. Though M.P.Shankar appears in a short role in the movie, he is successful in making an ever-lasting impression on the audience.

This film was shot in Kalasapura village, near Chikmagalur town. Siddalingaiah had particular attachment with this location. His other landmark movie Bangarada Manushya was also shot (partly) in the same village.

The film was remade in Telugu as Andharoo Manchivaare (1976) starring Shoban Babu.

Synopsis

Bhootayya is a ruthless zamindar of a small village, who used to mercilessly occupy the land of the villagers to whom he had lent money, when they fail to repay their debts. He was very shrewd and talked the villagers into building a dam across the river in the outskirts of the village, which was prone to floods. He gets hold of the fertile land on the banks of the river and builds a house for his son Ayyu (Lokesh).

Actors