Ghost on OTT: Ahead of the heist thriller's release, here are must-watch award-winning Shivarajkumar films

Shivarajkumar is inching closer to 130 films in his career spanning nearly four decades, so, picking a few select titles as must-watch movies from this illustrious filmography is not an easy task. While the actor’s outings in gangster flicks like Om, Jogi, Tagaru, Mufti, etc., are among the most often recommended titles that one ought to watch, here’s a look at some of his award-winning work and where to watch it, ahead of the OTT release of his latest, the action heist thriller Ghost. The MG Srinivas directed film is coming to Zee5 Kannada on November 17. 

Om

The 1995 action film directed by Real Star Upendra was a turning point not only in leading man Shivarajkumar’s career, but in the filmmaker’s as well. The film, which enjoys cult status, earned Shivarajkumar his first-ever Karnataka State Film Award Best Actor nod. His co-star Prema was adjudged Best Actress, while Upendra got Best Screenplay and BC Gowrishankar Best Cinematographer awards.

Where to watch: Sun NXT

Nammoora Mandara Hoove

An all-time blockbuster romantic movie, 1996’s Nammoora Mandara Hoove, directed by Sunil Kumar Desai, was a love triangle involving Shivarajkumar, Ramesh Aravind and Prema. Shivarajkumar won a Best Actor award at the Filmfare Awards for his role in the film.

Where to watch: Zee5 Kannada

AK 47

Shivarajkumar’s next Filmfare Award for Best Actor came three years later in 1999 for director Om Prakash Rao’s AK 47, which, like Om, is also considered to be a cult classic in Kannada cinema. Shivarajkumar was paired with Chandni, while the film also starred stalwarts like Om Puri, Girish Karnad, among others.

Where to watch: YouTube

Hrudaya Hrudaya

Interestingly, Shivarajkumar won Best Actor at the Karnataka State Film Awards for his 1999 film Hrudaya Hrudaya. The film was the launchpad of Anu Prabhakar and had Ramesh Aravind also in a pivotal role. Directed by MS Rajashekar, Hrudaya Hrudaya was a romantic drama.

Where to watch: YouTube

Chigurida Kanasu

Considered one of the finest movies in the history of Kannada cinema, Chigurida Kanasu was based on a novel by K Shivaram Karanth. The story about an urban youth in search of his roots became the source material for Shah Rukh Khan’s Swadesh later on. Shivarajkumar won a state Best Actor award for his portrayal of Bangaadi Shankar. The film won several other awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Dialogues and Best Music.

Where to watch: Sun NXT

Jogi

Written and directed by Prem, Jogi is one of Shivarajkumar’s much talked about gangster movies. Shivarajkumar was adjudged Best Actor for the year at the Karnataka State Film Awards, while Arundhathi Nag was Best Supporting Actress and Prem got Best Screenplay. Released in 2005, Jogi was a blockbuster success at the box office.

Where to watch: YouTube (Kannada)/MX Player (Hindi)

Thamassu

Written by Agni Sridhar, the story of this 2019 film was inspired by the Hindu-Muslim conflict during the 2002 Gujarat communal riots. Shivarajkumar was paired with Padmapriya in the film and won a state Best Actor Award. Harshika Poonacha, who played his sister, won Best Supporting Actress, while Agni Sridhar won for Best Screenplay.

Where to watch: YouTube