Accident (1984 film)

Accident is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language crime drama film produced & directed by Shankar Nag. The film stars Shankar Nag, Anant Nag, Arundhati Nag, Ramesh Bhat, Ashok Mandanna, Srinivas Prabhu and T. S. Nagabharana. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while cinematography and editing were handled by Devadhar and P. Bhaktavatsalam.^[1] The film was not a huge success at the box office.^[2]

Accident
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Shankar Nag
Screenplay by	Vasant Mukashi
Dialogues by	G. S. Sadashiva
Story by	Vasant Mukashi
Produced by	Shankar Nag
Starring	Anant Nag Shankar Nag Arundhati Nag Ramesh Bhat
Cinematography	Devadhar
Edited by	P. Bhaktavatsalam
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Distributed by	Sanket
Release date	9 November 1984 (1984-11-09)
Running time	125 minutes
Country	India
Language	Kannada

Plot

Deepak is the spoiled son of a powerful politician Dharmadhikari. One night, Deepak runs his car over pavement dwellers under the influence of drugs and alcohol; the pavement dwellers are killed, except Ramanna, who identifies the driver. Rahul, Deepak's friend and the son of an ad agency chief, was with him during the accident. Rahul gets deeply traumatized due to the shock of the accident, he shares the truth with his mother Maya Rani. Maya implores Dharmadhikari to save them. Dharmadhikari, who is slated to win a by-election, cannot afford to let this accident ruin his political ambitions. Dharmadhikari hushes up the case with the help of the CM and sends Deepak on a trip abroad. Inspector Rao takes charge of the case as an investigative officer. Ravi, a daring news reporter, joins Rao in investigating the case together. When Rao identifies the culprits, Dharmadhikari asks his retired driver to tell them that he was driving the car. As a result of the events that have transpired, Rao is asked to go on leave and Ravi's editor refuses to run the story. Ravi tries to assassinate Dharmadhikari to seek justice, but he backs out and moralises that violence does not solve problems. Meanwhile, Deepak, who is leaving to the airport, dies in an accident.

Cast

• Anant Nag as Dharmadhikari
• Shankar Nag as Ravi
• Arundhati Nag as Maya Rani
• Ashok Mandanna as Deepak, Dharmadhikari's son
• Makeup Naani as Shamanna
• Srinivas Prabhu as Rahul
• Ramesh Bhat as Inspector Rao
• T. S. Nagabharana as Ramanna
• H. G. Somashekar Rao as Pinto
• Shimoga Venkatesh as Commissioner of Police

Production

Accident was produced in two months. While filming the climax, Anant Nag, who was playing Dharmadhikari, was to be shot in the courtyard of his house as he had wanted to base it around the assassination of Indira Gandhi, but Shankar Nag did not agree and changed the ending of the film.^[3]

Reception

The film won the first National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues at the 32nd National Film Awards in 1985.^[4] It also won multiple awards at the 1984–85 Karnataka State Film Awards including the award for First Best Film. The film was praised for placing a politician against justice system and media revealing the nexus between politics and drug mafia.^[5]

Awards and recognitions

32nd National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues

1984–85 Karnataka State Film Awards

• First Best Film
• Best Supporting Actress – Arundathi Nag
• Best Screenplay – Vasantha Mokashi
• Best Sound Recording – Pandurangan
• Special Award (Stunts) – Hasan Raghu

14th International Film Festival of India

• Screening; homage to Shankar Nag