Aptharakshaka
Sequel to Apthamitra, released after Vishnuvardhan's death.
Aptharakshaka, which translates to "Close Savior," is a 2010 Kannada-language horror film from India. Directed by P. Vasu and written by V. R. Bhaskar, it features Vishnuvardhan in his 200th Kannada film appearance. The ensemble cast includes Vimala Raman, Sandhya, Bhavana Ramanna, Avinash, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, and Komal Kumar. This movie serves as a follow-up to the 2004 Kannada hit *Apthamitra*. It hit theaters on 19 February 2010, roughly two months after Vishnuvardhan passed away on 30 December 2009.
The film opened to strong positive reviews. A Telugu remake, *Nagavalli*, came out the same year. The movie was also dubbed into Telugu as *Raja Vijaya Rajendra Bahadur (Nagavalli - Return of Chandramukhi)*, into Hindi as *Sab Ka Rakhwala* under Sumeet Arts, and into Bengali as *Amar Rakshak*.
The plot begins with an old painting of Nagavalli (played by Vimala Raman) drifting to various places, eventually landing with a village painter. He brings it home to restore it, but when his wife suggests selling it, he angrily refuses, claiming he would rather die than part with it. The next day, the painter is found dead, possibly by suicide. The painting then becomes a prize at a dance competition, awarded to Bharatanatyam dancer Saraswathi (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy), her husband, and their family.
Meanwhile, during Gowri’s (Sandhya) engagement, a friend faints after seeing a 30-foot snake, and the groom flees the house in fear. Strange events pile up, so the family calls a snake charmer, who dies trying to summon the serpent. Blaming the unsettling presence of Nagavalli’s portrait, the family contacts Acharya Ramchandra Shastry (Avinash), an astrologer and sage. The father of three daughters explains that Saraswathi and her husband died in a car accident after the dance competition. Shastry brings in Dr. Vijay (Vishnuvardhan), a psychiatrist, to help. All clues point to the large portrait of Nagavalli, and everyone is warned to avoid the outhouse and the room holding the painting.
One night, Vijay hears anklet sounds and investigates the outhouse, finding a smaller portrait of Nagavalli there. It then emerges that Saraswathi is alive but went mad after a truck accident killed her husband while he carried the painting. Because of her madness, no one would marry the second daughter, Geetha, who then swore off marriage. To prevent a similar fate for Gowri, the family
- Release date
- 19 February 2010
- Language
- Kannada
- Director
- P. Vasu
- Writer
- V. R. Bhaskar
- Lead actor
- Vishnuvardhan
- Genre
- Horror
- Remakes
- Telugu (Nagavalli, 2010)
Lore & Background
Dr. Vijay reads a book about Raja Vijaya Rajendra Bahadur, who resembles him, and learns of a centuries-old enmity between Bahadur and Nagavalli. Vijay discovers that Gowri, one of the daughters, is possessed by Nagavalli, having signed the library ledger with Nagavalli's name in Telugu. The climax sees Gowri/Nagavalli attempting to kill Bahadur at his fort; Bahadur is struck by lightning and killed by his own falling sword. Gowri is freed from the possession, and the film ends with her and her sister Geetha marrying.
Reader's Guide
Aptharakshaka is significant as Vishnuvardhan's 200th Kannada cinema and his final film, released after his death on 30 December 2009. The film received highly positive reviews, with critics praising P. Vasu's direction and the plot. It was remade in Telugu as Nagavalli (2010) and dubbed into Telugu, Hindi (as Sab Ka Rakhwala), and Bengali (as Amar Rakshak). The film's success underscored the enduring popularity of the horror genre in Kannada cinema and highlighted Vishnuvardhan's legacy as a leading actor. Its television rights were acquired by multiple channels across languages, indicating broad regional appeal.
Did You Know?
- The film was released nearly two months after Vishnuvardhan died on 30 December 2009.
- It is a sequel to the 2004 Kannada blockbuster film Apthamitra.
- The fort where the villain resides is based on the real fort located in Gingee.
- The film was remade in Telugu as Nagavalli (2010).
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