''Belli Moda'' ( ) is a 1967 Indian

Kannada Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...

-language film directed by

Puttanna Kanagal Shubraveshti Ramaswamiah Seetharama Sharma (1 December 1933 – 5 June 1985), known popularly as S. R. Puttanna Kanagal, was an Indian filmmaker known for his work in Kannada cinema. He is often considered one of Indian cinema's most influent ...

in his directorial debut. It was based on the novel of same name by Triveni. Kanagal remade the film in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

in 1967 as '' Swapnabhoomi'' and in Telugu in 1968 as ''Palamanasulu''.

Plot

Indira (played by Kalpana) is the heiress of her father's estate, named "Belli Moda". A young man, Mohan (

Kalyan Kumar Kalyan Kumar (7 June 1928 – 1 August 1999) was an Indian actor, as well as an occasional film director and producer, who worked primarily in Kannada cinema, Kannada and Tamil cinema. Making his acting debut in the mythological drama ''Natashek ...

) visits the estate to meet Indira's father ( K. S. Ashwath) and petition for a financial scholarship from their club for his higher studies in the United States. Mohan discovers he has visited Belli Moda too late and that the scholarships have already been given out that year. It is suggested that he should try and apply next year, however Indira's mother (

Pandari Bai Pandari Bai (18 September 1928 – 29 January 2003) was an Indian actress who worked in South Indian cinema, mostly in Kannada cinema during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. She has acted ...

) has other ideas. She is impressed by the Mohan's good looks and qualifications, and suggest to her husband that they should arrange for Mohan and Indira to be married. Mohan and his family are initially reluctant, but eventually agree to the arrangement after knowing that Indira is the only daughter so all of her father's estate will eventually pass to them. Mohan is provided with a scholarship for his education in the USA upon accepting the arrangement. Mohan leaves for the US after becoming engaged to Indira, promising to marry on his return. While he is abroad, Indira's mother unexpectedly gives birth to a boy. She dies due to complications of pregnancy at an advanced maternal age. Mohan returns from the US after his studies to discover that his fiancée's mother has died in labour, leaving behind a son - the new inheritor of Belli Moda. This shatters Mohan's dreams of owning the estate and he refuses to marry Indira. When Indira questions him about his refusal to marry, she is shocked to discover that Mohan's only interest was in her father's property and that there was no love towards her. When leaving Bella Moda after this confrontation with Indira, Mohan falls from the hill and fractures his leg. A doctor advises him to rest uninterrupted until his leg heals, meaning he must at the estate and be taken care of by Indira and her family. During recovery, Mohan is surprised by the hospitality and love offered to him by the family, and is particularly taken by the Indira's kindness. He struggles to understand why he is taken care of so well despite his treachery. He realises that he made a mistake by rejecting a woman of such good character, and that Indira's love is more valuable than simple wealth. Mohan expresses remorse and wants to marry Indira, however she tells him that the innocence of pure love cannot be replaced once it is lost. Indira refuses to marry him, dismissing his proposal by saying "Belli karegithu Moda chadurithu" (The silver lining is gone, the clouds are scattered).

Cast

as Mohan Rao * Kalpana as Indira * K. S. Ashwath as Sadashivaiah *

as Lalithamma * Balakrishna as Puttaiah * B. Jaya as Savithri * Dwarakish as Paapaiah "Paapi"

Production

''Belli Moda'' marked the directorial debut of Puttanna Kanagal and was based on novel of same name by Triveni. This was the first Kannada movie to be shot completely outdoors. The film was shot in Thippanahalli estate, Chikkamagaluru. Ashwath Narayan started his career as still photographer with this film.

Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards 1967-68 * Second Best Film * Best Actress – Kalpana * Best Supporting Actress – Pandaribai * Best Music Director – Vijaya Bhaskar * Best Screenplay – S R Puttanna Kanagal * Best Cinematographer – R N K Prasad * Best Editing – V P Krishnan

Soundtrack

Release

The film initially struggled for release as distributors refused to buy the film due to "its heart-rending climax". However K. C. N. Chandrasekhar "sensed the uniqueness of the story and decided to release it".

Legacy

The film's writer Triveni's home was converted into a museum and was named after the film. The film's location Thippanahalli estate came to be known as Belli Moda estate after the release.

References

External links

* {{Puttanna Kanagal 1967 films 1960s Kannada-language films 1960s Indian films Films based on Indian novels Films directed by Puttanna Kanagal Films scored by Vijaya Bhaskar Kannada films remade in other languages 1967 directorial debut films