Haalu Jenu is a 1982 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, Madhavi and Roopa Devi in the lead roles. The movie is famous for its evergreen songs, composed by G. K. Venkatesh. The movie was remade in Telugu in 1985 as Illale Devata, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The movie was also known for its 70 feet tall cutout poster of Dr Rajkumar placed in Santosh theatre in Majestic, Bangalore. The film was a major success at the box office upon its release and saw a theatrical run of 35 weeks. However, the movie was purposefully removed from certain movies halls after 22 weeks so as to release Chalisuva Modagalu which interestingly was also directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and had Dr. Rajkumar in the lead role. The magazine Trade Guide had carried a report calling Rajkumar as Junior Hitler for alleged theatre unavailability for Amitabh Bachchan 's Namak Halaal which released around the same time enraging the Kannada fans. Finally, Amitabh Bachchan had to fly down to Bangalore to clear the air of misunderstandings. Saritha, who had earlier worked with Rajkumar in Keralida Simha and Hosa Belaku, lent her voice for Madhavi at some parts in this movie. After this movie, Saritha went on to dub in a Telugu movie by the same director – Mayuri. This was also the directorial debut for Singeetham Srinivasa Rao in Kannada. He went on to work with Rajkumar in 6 more movies including his 200th movie and was also the director of the debut movies of his two sons.
Plot
Ranga, a middle class working man is happily married to Kamala leading joy filled life. But events turn miserable, when Kamala fell unconscious on the floor. Ranga worried and took her to the hospital. He was shocked hearing she has blood cancer and shortlived. He admits her to the Cancer Hospital in a chance of reviving her and decides accumulating money either by hook or by crook to get rid out of this misery. One afternoon, He notices a young women on the road surrounded by men who are blackmailing to give compensation to staged accident. Ranga brilliantly saves her from them. He knows that Meena,a rich women Shaanthamma's daughter. She takes Ranga to her house and introduces him to her mother, where Ranga falsely convinces her that he is a son of rich man. He thinks Shaanthamma could be source for money for his wife's treatment. He learns all the weaknesses of the house members. Meena falls for Ranga and tries many pranks to attract him. One day at the hospital, Ranga hears Dr. Varma, famous Oncologist saved cancer ridden woman life. He asks his friend Dr.Subbu to arrange appointment with Varma for which he needs Rs 20000. However, he obtains it by selling Gopalayya's car for betraying him when he breaks the deal made for hydrama marriage of Prahalad & Tara. Ranga with his wife heads to Bombay to meet Dr. Varma. Dr. Varma checks up and issues treatment instruction letter for Dr.Subbu. Gopalayya with greed enters Shaanthamma's house with lawyer Baratlaw to grab her whole property withholding power of attorney letter. But Ranga brainwashes lawyer Baratlaw and he tears off power of attorney letter and kicks out Gopalayya under Ranga's direction. One day, Ranga was called for marriage proposal with Meena by her family. Ranga escapes saying "the wife will die after marrying him". After saying it, He rushes to the hospital to see Kamala with fear and says that he rejected the proposal. Meena comes out of her house and decides to live in Ranga's house when there family members conclude to marry her to Baratlaw. Meena's father Ugra Narasimha comes to Ranga's house to say his family's secret of raising a boy, son of his dead daughter Sita and thus expressing his inability to accumulate money to pay convent fees from his wife due to Baratlaw. Ranga pays boy's convent fees and brings him to his house to trick Meena think that he is widower father of the boy. But Meena was in accepting mind. On the next day, Ranga returns boy to convent. Meena leaves Ranga's house, after when he slaps her. She continues her family decision to marry Baratlaw. On the marriage day, Ranga comes in with the boy and reveals the boy's father is none other than Baratlaw, who was previously married to Sita, Shaanthamma's daughter. He handovers the boy to her and Baratlaw was kicked out by Gopalayya followed by his father. Few days after, Dr.Subbu calls Ranga saying, they moved Kamala to intensive care unit and thereby mentioning operation is conducted under Dr. Varma's supervision. So, he informs to arrange money for operation quicker as posibble. After refusal from Baddi Basappa,Ranga heads to Shaanthamma asking Rs 10,000 is urgently needed. At the door-step, his haters brainwash Shaanthamma from giving money. Shaanthamma without sense says him to move out. At the same time,Kamala's health condition gone too worse. Understanding Ranga would be stuck in some misery, Meena gives him the money thus asking reason. He takes her to the hospital. He finds out all doctors standing still and Kamala holding her last breath for Ranga's arrival. Her last words reflects Ranga & Meena marry each other and finally expects him to sing phrase "Dehavu Neenu Pranavu Neenu". Kamala dies on the bed thereby completion of the song. The film closes with the title of the movie with great emotion.
Cast
Crew
Soundtrack
The music and background score was composed by G. K. Venkatesh and the lyrics were penned by Chi. Udaya Shankar. One of Purandara Dasa's keerthanas was also included.
