{{short description|2011 film by Dinakar Thoogudeepa}} {{Other uses|Saarathi (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Saarathi | image = File:Saarathi.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Dinakar Thoogudeepa | producer = K. V. Satya Prakash | screenplay = Dinakar Thoogudeepa | story = Dinakar Thoogudeepa<br/>Chinthan A. V. | starring = Darshan <br /> Deepa Sannidhi <br /> R. Sarathkumar | music = V. Harikrishna | cinematography = K. Krishna Kumar | editing = K. M. Prakash | studio = Sri Araseshwari Cine Productions | distributor = Reliance Entertainment | released = {{Film date|df=y|2011|9|30}} | runtime = 166 minutes | country = India | language = Kannada | budget = {{INR}}7 crore<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfCatuqkZcY |title=DINAKAR INTERVIEW ABOUT STRUGGLING TIME OF DARSHAN AND DINAKAR THOOGUDEEPA |publisher=dboss kingdom |date=23 November 2020 |time=27:26 |access-date=6 June 2021 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220195539/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfCatuqkZcY |url-status=live }}</ref> | gross = {{INR}}12.50 crore<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/top-earning-kannada-movies-of-2011/articleshow/21446749.cms | title=Top earning Kannada movies of 2011 | access-date=22 February 2022 | archive-date=19 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219030151/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/top-earning-kannada-movies-of-2011/articleshow/21446749.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> }}
'''''Saarathi''''' ({{langx|en|Charioteer}}) is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language action drama film written and directed by Dinakar Thoogudeep. It stars Darshan and debutante Deepa Sannidhi in the lead roles. V. Harikrishna scored for the film's background and its soundtrack, while the lyrics were penned by V. Nagendra Prasad.
The film released theatrically on 30 September 2011 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/194540/friday-release.html|title=Friday release|work=Deccan Herald|date=29 September 2011}}</ref> when Darshan was under judicial custody for domestic violence against his wife, Vijayalakshmi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/189679/darshan-hits-wife-lands-jail.html|title=Darshan hits wife, lands in jail|work=Deccan Herald|date=10 September 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923163850/https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/189679/darshan-hits-wife-lands-jail.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It received three awards at the 2011 Karnataka State Film Awards, including the Best Entertaining Movie.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|title=Karnataka State Film Awards 2010-11 winners|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Karnataka-State-Film-Awards-2010-11-winners/articleshow/18966690.cms|accessdate=3 August 2015|work=The Times of India|date=14 March 2013|archive-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930134344/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Karnataka-State-Film-Awards-2010-11-winners/articleshow/18966690.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The core plot of the movie was reported to be based on the 1994 animated movie ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/bypassing-copycats-sandalwood-style/articleshow/21434657.cms | title=Bypassing copycats, Sandalwood style | access-date=17 April 2022 | archive-date=29 March 2019 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20190329083728/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Bypassing-copycats-Sandalwood-style/articleshow/21434657.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> This was the highest-grossing Kannada movie of 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/darshan-makes-a-big-hit-again-this-time-with-his-film/articleshow/21506355.cms|title=Darshan makes a big hit again, this time with his film|work=Bangalore Mirror|date=2 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923163519/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/darshan-makes-a-big-hit-again-this-time-with-his-film/articleshow/21506355.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Plot== Raja is an auto driver, who meets and falls in love with Rukmini. However, Rukmini is taken to her hometown Durgakote, by her relative Pratap, who wants to marry her. Along with his adopted father and friends, Raja follows Rukmini to Durgakote and finds that she hails from the family of ''palegars'' (village chieftain) who rule the place. When Raja visits a temple of Durga, the priest of the temple reveals Raja's past.
'''Past''': Raja is actually Krishna, who is the son of Suryanarayana, the chieftain of the village and Rukmini's mother's brother. One day, Krishna falls into a gorge and is chased by a pack of bulls, but Suryanarayana, while trying to save him, falls into the gorge and is killed. With this, Nagappa, Suryanarayana's brother tells Krishna to secretly escape from the village.
'''Present''': Prathap and his father Nagappa also learns about Raja/Krishna's identity from Rukmini, where he kidnaps Raja/Krishna and throws him at the same gorge. Nagappa also reveals that he was the mastermind behind Suryanarayana's death as he wanted to be the village's chieftain and had hired the tribals (who were exiled by Suryanarayana for planning to rob the temple's jewellary) to finish him. Raja/Krishna is chased by the pack of bulls, but is timely saved by the horse, which was gifted by Suryanarayana on his birthday.
Raja/Krishna confronts the tribals and manages to defeat them. Raja/Krishna reaches the Durga temple where he finally exposes Nagappa's involvement in Suryanarayana's death. A fight ensues where Raja/Krishna manages to finish Nagappa and Prathap with the help of the villagers. Raja/Krishna and Rukmini finally get married and Raja/Krishna takes over his father's position as the next chieftain.
==Cast== {{Cast listing| * Darshan as Raja / Krishna * Deepa Sannidhi as Rukmini * R. Sarathkumar as Suryanarayana * Seetha as Raja's mother * Rangayana Raghu as Raja's adoptive father * Sharath Lohitashwa as Nagappa, Suryanarayana's brother * Ajay as Pratap, Nagappa's son * Bullet Prakash as Raja's friend * Lohithaswa T.S * Viswa * Dileep * Kote Prabhakar as Pratap's henchman * Muni as Pratap's henchman * Lokesh Kademani }}
==Production== Saarathi was initially under the production of Kannada cinema veteran producer KCN Chandrashekhar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2009/Dec/07/darshans-different-role-in-sarathi-110809.html|title=Darshan's different role in Sarathi|work=The New Indian Express|date=7 December 2009|access-date=17 February 2024|archive-date=11 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211125117/https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/kannada/2009/dec/07/darshans-different-role-in-sarathi-110809.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but was later taken up by K. V. Satya Prakash as his first film venture. As a result of which, the film had been in production for over 2 years <ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Darshan-wants-to-be-famous-like-Shankar-Nag/articleshow/9197049.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906134804/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-13/news-interviews/29765173_1_film-darshan-producers|url-status=live|archive-date=6 September 2011|work=The Times of India|title=Darshan wants to be famous like Shankar Nag|access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref> including 90 days for the shooting and later the film release got delayed owing to actor Darshan's arrest by the police following a complaint of domestic violence by his wife Vijayalakshmi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/8-films-on-the-floor-darshan-has-rs-70-cr-riding-on-him/articleshow/9987950.cms?from=mdr|title=8 films on the floor, Darshan has Rs 70 cr riding on him|work=The Times of India|date=15 September 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923161615/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/8-films-on-the-floor-darshan-has-rs-70-cr-riding-on-him/articleshow/9987950.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> It was filmed at major South Indian tourist places like Chitradurga, Pondicherry, Chalakudy (in Kerala) and Hyderabad, the film ran 100 days in around 17 theaters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/bul-bul-to-celebrate-100-days-on-august-31/articleshow/22054751.cms|title=Bul Bul to celebrate 100 days on August 31|work=The Times of India|date=25 August 2013|access-date=21 April 2024|archive-date=11 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211125603/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/bul-bul-to-celebrate-100-days-on-august-31/articleshow/22054751.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Soundtrack==
The music and background score were composed by V. Harikrishna and lyrics were penned by V. Nagendra Prasad. {{Infobox album | name = Saarathi | type = Soundtrack | artist = V. Harikrishna | cover = | alt = | released = 19 June 2011 | recorded = 2011 | venue = | studio = | genre = Feature film soundtrack | length = 23:01 | label = Anand Audio | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }}
{{Track listing | total_length = 23:01 | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Kai Mugidhu Yeru | lyrics1 = V. Nagendra Prasad | extra1 = Shankar Mahadevan | length1 = 5:00 | title2 = Manase Manase | lyrics2 = V. Nagendra Prasad | extra2 = Vijay Prakash, Shamita Malnad | length2 = 4:47 | title3 = Vajra Ballalaraya | lyrics3 = V. Nagendra Prasad | extra3 = Kailash Kher | length3 = 4:43 | title4 = Haago Heege | extra4 = Darshan, Vani Harikrishna | lyrics4 = V. Nagendra Prasad | length4 = 4:57 | title5 = Kittappa Kittappa | extra5 = Shamita Malnad, Shankar Mahadevan | lyrics5 = V. Nagendra Prasad | length5 = 4:54 }}
== Release ==
The film released in 157 theatres across Karnataka on 30 September 2011, including over 30 in the city of Bangalore, and an additional 20 screens were put up due to its commercial success in the opening weekend.
=== Home media === The satellite and digital rights were sold to Udaya TV and Sun NXT.
== Reception == === Critical response === ''The Times of India'' scored the film at 4 out of 5 stars and says "Hats off to Darshan for his fabulous performance, excellent dialogue delivery and body language. Debutant Deepa Sannidhi steals your heart with a lively show. Rangayana Raghu, Sharath Lohithashwa, Sharath Kumar, Ajay have given life to their roles. Music is good with V Harikrishna''s catchy tunes and Nagendra Prasad''s lively lyrics. Cinematography by Krishnakumar is eye-catching. Eshwarikumar needs special mention for his brilliant art work".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/sarathy/movie-review/10193189.cms?from=mdr|title=SARATHY MOVIE REVIEW|work=The Times of India|date=14 May 2016|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923153854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/sarathy/movie-review/10193189.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>
Sunayana Suresh from DNA wrote "Cinematography by Krishnakumar is top notch and he's done a great job with the action sequences. Director Dinakar Thoogudeepa has created a film that's well on the lines of big Tollywood entertainers like Magadheera. This film is worth your three hours, go and get entertained".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-kannada-film-sarathi-is-arguably-darshan-s-best-film-1593679/amp|title=Review: Kannada film 'Sarathi' is arguably Darshan's best film|work=DNA|date=1 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923153908/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-kannada-film-sarathi-is-arguably-darshan-s-best-film-1593679/amp|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Bangalore Mirror'' wrote "Overall, it’s a film to enjoy and one of the better entertainers of the year. But only if you manage to remember that whenever Darshan says that he protects the people he loves, it is his character that is talking and not the person. Mind it!".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/sarathi-killer-punch/articleshow/21506571.cms|title=Sarathi: Killer punch|work=Bangalore Mirror|date=1 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923153908/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/sarathi-killer-punch/articleshow/21506571.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
Shreyas Nag from ''Deccan Herald'' wrote "Rangayana Raghu and Bullet Prakash’s timing is just perfect with both of them complementing each other, making the audience laugh their guts off. Though it is a mass entertainer, the songs and the setting of the location puts it on a par with other big banner movies".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/194886/saarathi.html|title=Saarathi|work=Deccan Herald|date=1 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923154247/https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/194886/saarathi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''News 18'' wrote "Tamil actor Sharath Kumar makes a dignified presence in the role of Darshan's father. 'Sarathi' is certainly more than a paisa vasool film. Darshan fans will immensely like it".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kannada-review-sarathi-is-a-sure-shot-winner-405913.html|title=Kannada Review: 'Sarathi' is a sure shot winner|work=News18 India|date=1 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923160914/https://www.news18.com/news/india/kannada-review-sarathi-is-a-sure-shot-winner-405913.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Accolades ==
;2011 Karnataka State Film Awards * Best Entertaining Movie * Best Art Director — Eshwari Kumar * Special Jury Award (Special effects) — Rajan
;1st South Indian International Movie Awards * Best Film
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title|5325878}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saarathi}} Category:Films set in Bengaluru Category:2011 films Category:2011 action thriller films Category:2011 action drama films Category:Indian action thriller films Category:Films scored by V. Harikrishna Category:Indian romantic action films Category:Films based on adaptations Category:2011 Kannada-language films Category:2011 Indian films Category:2010s romantic action films Category:Films directed by Dinakar Thoogudeepa