Remembering Sanchari Vijay: Must-watch films of the late National Award-winning actor

Three years ago, on June 15, the Kannada film industry tragically lost one of its bright talents – Sanchari Vijay. The National Award-winning actor succumbed to injuries sustained in a bike accident while riding pillion. The bike skid and rammed into a light post. Vijay’s injuries were mostly internal bleeds in his brain, as he had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The actor had been involved in pandemic relief work in the days preceding his death.

In his decade-long career, Vijay did about 30 films, although most of them were either art-house or with smaller teams. While he was a part of director Mansore’s National Award-winning film Harivu in 2014, national recognition came Vijay’s way when he played a transgender person in director BS Lingadevaru’s Naanu Avanalla Avalu.

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Here’s a look at some of the late actor’s best works and where to watch them. The National Award-winning Nathicharami should be on this list, but it is currently not available on any platform.

Harivu

Director Mansore’s Harivu was adjudged the Best Kannada film at the 62ndNational Film Awards. Sanchari Vijay played a farmer from north Karnataka, who brings his ailing son to Bengaluru for treatment. However, when the kid dies, he faces obstacles in taking the mortal remains back home. The story was inspired by a real-life incident that occurred in a government hospital in Bengaluru

Harivu (2014)
Director: Mansore
Cast: Sanchari Vijay, Shveta Desai, Aravind Kuplikar
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

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Naanu Avanalla Avalu

Director BS Lingadevaru’s film, based on the autobiographical book I am Vidya by transgender rights activist Living Smile Vidya. It explores how Madesha (Sanchari Vijay) becomes Vidhya, and the struggles she faces in her life as a transgender person. Vijay won a National Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Madesha/Vidhya.

Naanu Avanalla Avalu (2015)
Director: BS Lingadevaru
Cast: Sanchari Vijay, Sumithra, Kunal Punekar, Sundar, Maniyamma, Aravind Kuplikar
Streaming on: JioCinema

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Puksatte Lifeu

Vijay’s regular co-star Aravind Kuplikar made the transition to behind the camera with Puksatte Lifeu, which released after the actor’s tragic passing. Vijay was Shahajahan, an honest key maker, who becomes an unwitting accomplice to a bunch of crooked policemen who are thieves.

Puksatte Lifeu (2021)
Director: Aravind Kuplikar
Cast: Sanchari Vijay, Mathangi Prasan, Achyuth Kumar
Streaming on: Zee 5