Geetha is a 1981 Indian Kannadaromance drama film directed by and starring Shankar Nag in the lead role, alongside Padmavathi Rao. The supporting cast features K. S. Ashwath, Ramesh Bhat and Gayathri. Ilayaraaja composed the soundtrack and the background score for the film that and was declared a blockbuster musical hit. The track "Santhoshakke" from the film became widely popular in Karnataka and is still performed for in concerts and other events.
Plot
Geetha is a college-going student, who has co-organised a charity concert in her college. Sanjay, a singer, performs at the show singing the track "Santhoshakke". Floored by his performance and good looks, she pursues him. A university champion in badminton, she invites him to her club to play, with an intention to get closer to him and succeeds. However, Geetha suffers from an illness, the symptoms of which is seen in her holding her neck tight and screaming. Her father Srinivas suffers from a heart ailment. Following another of Sanjay's concert, she confesses her love to him. He, however fails to remember her every time, and eventually, falls in love with her. Upon diagnosis, it is revealed to Geetha's mother, Dr. Mukta that she suffers from blood cancer, which is not revealed to her father and her. Eager to learn to drive a car, Geetha pesters Sanjay. Sanjay flusters every time she asks him, and finally reveals to her about his ex-girlfriend Sunanda, who succumbed as a brake-failed vehicle she was driving exploded. Deciding to get married, Sanjay speaks to Geetha's mother, when she reveals to him of the latter's illness. The illness takes a toll on Geetha's eyes and loses her eyesight among other visible bodily wounds. Sanjay, with the help of Dr. Rudrappa gets an Interferon drug, an alleged cure of cancer, imported from California. He collects it from the airport and Geetha breathes her last by the time he arrives at her house with the drug.
composed the background score for the film and the soundtracks, and lyrics were written by Chi. Udaya Shankar. The album consists of six soundtracks. Ilayaraja later adapted the track "Jotheyali" as "Vizhiyile Mani" for Nooravathu Naal and also as "Jaane Do Na" for the 2007 Hindi filmCheeni Kum. "Nanna Jeeva" was adapted as "Devan Thandha Veenai" for Unnai Naan Santhithen. "Kelade" was adapted as "Devathai Ilam Devi" for Aayiram Nilave Vaa. The song "Santhoshakke" was adapted as "Adichikko Site Adichikko " for the film "Kairasikkaran" made in 1984.
