Naagarahaavu

Naagarahaavu (Kannada: ನಾಗರಹಾವು, English: Cobra) is a 1972 Indian Kannada language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara, and starring Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, K. S. Ashwath in lead roles. The supporting cast features Leelavathi, Ambrish, Shivaram, Dheerendra Gopal, Lokanath and Vajramuni. This is the first Kannada movie to complete 100 days in three centres.

The film was a huge success and paved way for the stardom of Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish who eventually morphed as leading actors in Kannada cinema. Over a period of time the initially less noticed character roles of Leelavathi, Dheerendra Gopal, Loknath, Lakshmi Devi have come in for their share of applause.

The film is about the teacher who miserably fails in blending his daily educative chores on society interfering philosophically in guiding a tough lad. Although Vishnuvardhan's character cannot be called a Cobra (having venom) but he is too tough a guy who doesn't listen to anybody but has an obvious anger towards the age old caste system and inefficiency of urban society in holding up culture which makes his first love a prostitute under a corrupt husband . At the climax the deaths of Chamayya and Ramachari are also portrayed magnificently on a hill.