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Jedara Bale

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1968 film by Dorai–Bhagavan

Jedara Bale
Promotional poster
Directed byDorai–Bhagavan
Written byDorai–Bhagavan
Produced byT. P. Venugopal
StarringRajkumar
Jayanthi
K.S. Ashwath
Narasimharaju
Udayakumar
CinematographyB. Dorairaj
R. Chittibabu
Edited byN. C. Rajan
Raghupathi
Music byG. K. Venkatesh
Distributed byManthralaya Movies
Release date
  • 12 January 1968 (1968-01-12)
Running time139 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Jedara Bale (transl. Spider's web) is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language spy thriller written and directed by the duo Dorai–Bhagavan. It stars Rajkumar in the lead role, alongside Jayanthi, K. S. Ashwath, Narasimharaju, and Udayakumar. The music for the film was composed by G. K. Venkatesh. The film is the first installment in the CID 999 franchise, which went on to include three sequels: Goa Dalli CID 999 (1968), Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969), and Operation Diamond Racket (1978). The CID 999 franchise is notable as the first Indian film series to consist of four installments.

The film is regarded as one of the earliest Indian productions to adopt the James Bond-style spy thriller genre. Rajkumar's portrayal of CID 999 made him one of the first Indian actors to take on a character inspired by James Bond in a leading role. Bhagavan reportedly studied 11 James Bond novels before creating the film. Produced on a modest budget of under ₹3 lakh, the film recovered ₹2 lakh from the sale of dubbing rights alone. It also introduced cabaret dance sequences to South Indian cinema.

Jedara Bale and its subsequent installments played a significant role in shaping Kannada cinema. The franchise's success inspired similar spy thrillers in other South Indian languages. Critics have praised the film for its engaging plot and effective suspense, which have been noted to hold their appeal even decades after its release. In 2020, Film Companion highlighted its narrative-driven approach as a defining aspect. The film also contributed to Rajkumar's stardom and is credited with bringing a shift in the cinematic trends of Kannada films.

Plot

Prakash, code-named CID 999, is assigned the mission of preventing a formula that can turn any metal into gold from falling into the hands of criminals.

Cast

Production

It was also the first south Indian film to use the miniature faking technique for a car explosion sequence. Additionally, it was Rajkumar's first film without a male playback singer.

Soundtrack

The music for the film was composed by G. K. Venkatesh with Ilayaraja serving as the assistant.

# Title Singer Lyrics
1 "Hello Mister" S. Janaki R.N. Jayagopal
2 "Anjade Alukadei" S. Janaki R.N. Jayagopal
3 "Iniya Banda Samaya" S. Janaki R.N. Jayagopal
4 "Yaaro Aadalu Bandavaru" L. R. Eswari R.N. Jayagopal

Legacy

Amar Ujala referred to Rajkumar as the "James Bond of India". The film is considered a game-changer in Rajkumar's career and is credited with bringing a significant shift in Kannada cinema.

Sources

References

  1. "Kannada film director SK Bhagavan dies on 94th birthday". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  2. "Jedara Bale (1968) Kannada movie". chiloka.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  3. "History 49 - James Bond Style In Kannada". chitraloka.com. 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Feluda To Sethurama Iyer: India's Best Detectives In Film & Fiction – Silverscreen.in". Silverscreen.in. 7 April 2016. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Class Act: Five essential Dorai-Bhagavan films that one must watch". The Times of India. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  6. Manoj Kumar R (24 April 2017). "On Rajkumar's 88th birth anniversary, 10 must-know facts about Karnataka's beloved star". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017. Rajkumar had his own spy film series called CID 999 franchise in the 1960s. Jedara Bale was one of the first James Bond-esque films in India. The resounding success of the film inspired three more films in the franchise — Goa Dalli CID 999 , Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 and Operation Diamond Racket.
  7. "Versions of James Bond in Kannada". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  8. "Google doodle honours late veteran Kannada actor Rajkumar on 88th birth anniversary". Firstpost. 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  9. "Google honours veteran Kannada actor Rajkumar with a doodle on his 88th birth anniversary". Indian Express. 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. "Kalanamana to Jedara Bale Bhagwan – Kannada News". 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  11. "When Rajkumar went by the name 'Agent 999'". Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  12. "Best Kannada Thrillers from Different Eras Now Available on OTT". 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Rajkumar death anniversary: When 'Annavru' floored Chiranjeevi with his humility". Deccan Herald. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  14. "Rajkumar Birthday: जब भारतीय सिनेमा के 'जेम्स बॉन्ड' को वीरप्पन ने कर लिया था अगवा, 108 दिनों बाद हुई थी रिहाई". Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  15. M, Shashiprasad S. (17 April 2023). "Popular characters that inspired superhit film series in Kannada". The South First. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

External links

Filmography of Dorai–Bhagavan
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