Mahakavi Kalidas was remade in Telugu as Mahakavi Kalidasu.
Mahakavi Kalidas, directed by KR Sitaram Shastri, released in 1955, was a hit and cemented B Saroja Devi’s position in cinema.
Honnaappa Bhagavathar, also known as C Honnaappa Bhagavathar, is best remembered as one of the finest theater artistes, film actors, producers, composers and singers to have worked in the Kannada and Tamil film industries. He is also credited with introducing actresses like B Saroja Devi to the film industry with his film Mahakavi Kalidas.
Mahakavi Kalidas, directed by KR Sitaram Shastri, released in 1955, was a hit and cemented B Saroja Devi’s position in cinema. The film depicts the life of the famous poet Kalidas. Honnappa Bhagavathar played the lead role in the film which won the National Award for Best Kannada Film of the year. It was also remade in Telugu (Mahakavi Kalidasu) with Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the lead role. Mahakavi Kalidas was also directed in Tamil (Mahakavi Kalidas) with Sivaji Ganesan in the title role.
Honappa Bhagavathar gave actress Pandari Bai a chance with his second film Parashakti. It was directed by the duo of Krishnan and S Panju. The plot of Parashakti revolves around the story of three immigrant brothers whose lives take a turn after the death of their father and brother-in-law. Pandari Bai also became one of the most sought after actresses in Tamil cinema.
The actor acted in several plays apart from working in the film industry. In 1960, he started a theater troupe, Uma Maheshwar, and played lead roles in several plays. He started his career as a theater artist in Kuppa Sri Sena Basaveshwara Nataka Sabha only.
Fans could not get a chance to see her Tamil film Ninge Nalla Irukannam which did not release. Honnappa Bhagavathar wanted to make this film under the banner of Lalitha Kala Films. He named the title of this banner after his daughters. The poster of this film was also released but it could not hit the screens. The reason behind this has not been revealed till date.
Honappa Bhagavathar died of natural causes on 2 October 1992. Some of her notable films include Ambikapati, Krishnakumar, Sati Sukanya and Arundhati. Sri Murugan, Gunasagari, Burma Rani, Bhakta Kumbra etc.