Shankar Nagarakatte (9 November 1954 – 30 September 1990) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer known for his work in Kannada cinema and television. He directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi Days, based on celebrated novelist R. K. Narayan's short stories.
Shankar Nag received the inaugural IFFI Best Actor Award (Male): Silver Peacock Award" at the 7th International Film Festival of India for his work in the film Ondanondu Kaladalli. He co-wrote 22 June 1897, an Indian national award-winning Marathi film. He is the younger brother of actor Anant Nag.
Early career
Shankar Nagarkatte was born on 9 November 1954 in Mallapura, Honnavara. His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. Born into a Konkani-speaking family, his family settled in Shirali, a village near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada of Karnataka State. He had an elder sister, Shyamala, and an elder brother, actor Ananth Nag. After completing formal education, Shankar moved to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he was attracted to Marathi theatre and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal. He was his mother's favourite son.
Nag then shifted base to Karnataka. His elder brother Anant had already established himself as an actor and urged Shankar to act in films. He was offered a role of a mercenary by Girish Karnad in the epic film Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978). He played Gandugali, a mercenary who earns a position in a rival army after he rescues a few wounded soldiers. He wishes to get even with his rival brother, whom he considers his enemy. He directed films like Minchina Ota (a rare example of a heist movie in Kannada), Janma Janmada Anubandha and Geetha (both of which had music by South Indian maestro Ilayaraja).
Later days
Commercial film producers took notice of Shankar Nag and he began acting in typical masala movies. Seetaramu was Shankar Nag's first commercial movie. Shankar was an unconventional hero with an unshaven face, distinct swagger, dark eyes and had a rough voice. Although he had never undergone any martial arts training, he earned the sobriquet of Karate King. His popular films include Auto Raja, Geeta, S.P. Sangliana, and Minchina Ota. He had also identified himself with the Janata Party in 1980s.
Directorial debut
Shankar began his directorial with Minchina Ota. This won him seven state awards, including the best film. And then came a series of films directed by him. Janma Janmada Anubandha, Geetha, Accident (which won many state and national awards), Ondu Muttina Kathe (with Rajkumar in the lead – loosely based on John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl), Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige(which has music by the legendary composer G.K. Venkatesh) , Lalach and Hosa Theerpu (remake of Dushman – his only directorial remake).His film accident has treated as a landmark and revolutionary in the Indian Cinema.
Malgudi Days
Shankar did not limit his efforts to cinema. He was equally immersed in theatre and television. Malgudi Days is the best example of Shankar's oeuvre on television. Prior to globalisation, Doordarshan was the only broadcaster in India. In addition to programme production, Doordarshan used to invite private producers to produce television serials. Shankar accepted the offer and directed Malgudi Days, based on the collection of short stories by R.K.Narayan in 1987, under the banner of Padam Rag Films. Well known actors Vishnuvardhan and Anant Nag appeared in the serial. Master Manjunath, who played the role of impish Swami, became a household name. The music, accompanied by the nasal twang "Tananaa tana na naa" on YouTube was composed by L. Vaidyanathan. The teleserial was shot in Agumbe, Shimoga district, Karnataka. Shankar went to direct another teleserial, titled Swami in the same year. Malgudi Days has been rated as one of the finest serials ever to be made in the history of Indian television.
He anchored the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days. Shankar retained an interest in theatre. His brother Anant Nag and he founded SANKET, an amateur theatre group, which still produces plays. His first ever directorial effort in Kannada was Anju Mallige by Girish Karnad. He continued with productions like Barrister, Sandhya Chhaya. Sometime here he was joined by T N Narasimhan who wrote and co-directed Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast.
Death
Nag died in a car crash at Anagodu village on the outskirts of Davanagere town on 30 September 1990 during the shooting of his film Jokumaraswamy. His wife and daughter, who were in the car with him, were injured but survived the accident. His last film as an actor, Sundarakanda, was released a few days after his death.
For Sundarakanda, Nag's voice was dubbed by Murali.
Nigooda Rahasya, one of his last films also had his brother, Anant Nag, complete the voice dubbing for Shankar.
Filmography
Year Title Credited as Role Notes
Actor Director Producer Writer
1978 Sarvasakshi Yes Marathi film
Ondanondu Kaladalli Yes Gandugali Silver Peacock for the Best Actor Award (Male)
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1979 22 June 1897 Yes Marathi film
National Film Award for Best Film on National Integration
Seetharamu Yes Ramu
Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu Yes Ravi
Madhu Chandra Yes
I Love You Yes
1980 Minchina Ota Yes Yes Yes Yes Katte Karnataka State Film Award for Second Best Film
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay
Auto Raja Yes Raja
Moogana Sedu Yes Nagaraja
Haddina Kannu Yes
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu Yes
Aarada Gaaya Yes Mohan
Rusthum Jodi Yes Ramu
Janma Janmada Anubandha Yes Yes Yes Yes Shiva Achari
1981 Thayiya Madilalli Yes
Kula Puthra Yes
Hanabalavo Janabalavo Yes
Geetha Yes Yes Yes Yes Sanju
Devara Aata Yes
Bhaari Bharjari Bete Yes
Muniyana Madari Yes Muniya
Jeevakke Jeeva Yes
1982 Archana Yes
Benki Chendu Yes
Karmika Kallanalla Yes
Nyaya Ellide Yes
Dharma Daari Tappithu Yes
1983 Lalach Yes Hindi film
Nyaya Gedditu Yes
Hosa Theerpu Yes Yes
Chandi Chamundi Yes
Keralida Hennu Yes
Swargadalli Maduve Yes
Aakrosha Yes
Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Yes Yes Yes Mysore Matha Karnataka State Film Award for Third Best Film
1984 Nagabekamma Nagabeku Yes
Raktha Thilaka Yes
Gandu Bherunda Yes Nayar
Thaliya Bhagya Yes
Benki Birugali Yes
Kalinga Sarpa Yes
Indina Bharatha Yes
Bedaru Bombe Yes
Shapatha Yes
Pavithra Prema Yes
Accident Yes Yes Ravi National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film
Aasha Kirana Yes Kiran
Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba Yes Yes
Apoorva Sangama Yes
1985 Thayi Kanasu Yes
Parameshi Prema Prasanga Yes Yes Guest appearance
Manava Danava Yes
Kiladi Aliya Yes
Vajra Mushti Yes
Kari Naga Yes
1986 Thayiye Nanna Devaru Yes
Naa Ninna Preethisuve Yes
The Watchman Yes English film
National Award for Best Feature Film in a language other than those specified in the VIII Schedule to the Constitution
Agni Parikshe Yes
Rasthe Raja Yes Raja
Samsarada Guttu Yes
1987 Thayi Yes
Ee Bandha Anubandha Yes
Huli Hebbuli Yes
Digvijaya Yes
Lorry Driver Yes
Anthima Ghatta Yes
Ondu Muttina Kathe Yes Yes
1988 Shakthi Yes
Sangliyana Yes Sangliyana
Dharmathma Yes
Mithileya Seetheyaru Yes Guest appearance
1989 Tarka Yes Akshay
Mahayuddha Yes
Anthintha Gandu Nanalla Yes
C.B.I. Shankar Yes Shankar
Idu Saadhya Yes Director Guest appearance
Raja Simha Yes
Jayabheri Yes
Narasimha Yes Narasimha
1990 S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 Yes Sangliyana
Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru Yes
Maheshwara Yes Mahesh
Trinetra Yes
Aavesha Yes
Hosa Jeevana Yes
Halliya Surasuraru Yes
Bhale Chathura Yes
Aata Bombata Yes
Nigooda Rahasya Yes
1991 Nakkala Rajakumari Yes
Punda Prachanda Yes
Sundara Kanda Yes
Nagini Yes
1993 Prana Snehitha Yes Ram
Television
Year Title Language Notes
1987 Malgudi Days Hindi TV series
1987 Swami Hindi TV series
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