Sound
Mangalore, Karnataka, India
V. Manohar
Sound
Biography
**V. Manohar** (born Vitla Manohar, February 8) is an Indian music director, lyricist, director, screenwriter, and actor who works predominantly in Kannada and Tulu cinema. One of Sandalwood's most versatile creative figures, he has composed scores for well over 100 films, penned lyrics for more than 1,000 songs, and remains a familiar comic screen presence. Hailing from Vitla in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, Manohar initially worked as a newspaper cartoonist and writer before stepping into cinema. He entered the industry under the mentorship of filmmaker Kashinath, writing his first song as a lyricist, "Hodeya Doora Oh Jothegaara", for *Anubhava* (1984). He subsequently trained under composer Hamsalekha. His breakthrough as an independent music composer came with Upendra's directorial debut *Tharle Nan Maga* (1992), starring Jaggesh. Manohar went on to deliver classic soundtracks and evergreen melodies across the 1990s and 2000s, including *Janumada Jodi* (1996), *Jodi Hakki* (1997), *O Mallige* (1997), *Suryavamsha* (1999), Upendra's *Swasthik* (1999), Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar's *Chigurida Kanasu* (2003), and Soori's breakout film *Duniya* (2007). His folk-infused chartbuster "Kolu Mande" (*Janumada Jodi*) stands as one of Kannada cinema's biggest musical hits of the 1990s. As a director, he helmed successful titles including the romantic drama *O Mallige* (1997) and Shiva Rajkumar's *Indradhanush* (2000). Manohar is a five-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award, winning Best Music Director for *Janumada Jodi*, *Jodi Hakki*, and *Chigurida Kanasu*, alongside Best Lyricist honors for *Gejje Naada* (1993) and *Anuraaga Sangama* (1995). In Tulu cinema, his scores for modern commercial hits such as *Chaali Polilu* (2014) won wide acclaim. As an actor, he is known for his dry wit and deadpan comedic timing. In cinema, he made appearances in cult films like Upendra's *Om* (1995), *Upendra* (1999), and Guruprasad's *Mata* (2006). On television, after composing and singing the iconic title track for Phani Ramachandra's serial *Danda Pindagalu*, he earned household recognition portraying "Bhatta", the unflappable house cook and resident harmonium player, on all three seasons of *Majaa Talkies*.
Feature Films (7)
O Mallige movie in this Mallige (Charulata) lives in a small village with her uncle played by V.Manohar himself. A heart patient, Manohar has an ambitious wannabe model in his son Nacchi (Amar Mayur) who is lost in the bliss of the big city. When he suffers another nearly fatal stroke, Nacchi reluctantly returns to be by his dying father’s side. Seizing the opportunity, the dying man manages to knot the innocent village belle Mallige to our dear city chap. As much as Nacchi hates the decision, he goes along considering his father’s health.
O Mallige
A small-time businessman who runs a finance business at a local vegetable market enjoys the support of the local vendors and people in the area. All goes well for him until one day, he saves an honest police officer from being killed by a local gangster. Soon, a rivalry ensues between the two.
Anjaniputra
While working in a medical camp in Singapore, Bond Ravi falls for Meera. He encounters her again in a village while shooting a documentary only to later rescue her from a drug lord. The movie revolves around Bond Ravi (Puneeth Rajkumar) and the journey of his sudden recognition by the common public as a vigilante known as Annabond He is also accompanied by Chapathi Babu (Rangayana Raghu) in his journey and finds love in Meera (Priyamani) along with the wrath of a gangster `Charlie` (Jackie Shroff), and how he manages to balance it all.
Anna Bond
Naanu, who always speaks the truth, is married to Swathi. However, he is soon pursued by Rathi and is forced to accept her love but finds it difficult to let go of his obsession with Keerthi.
Upendra
There lived two mischievous boys named 'Pandu' and 'Giri' somewhere in the countryside of Karnataka. While at 8th grade they get punished by their master and he also tells them about the business tycoon 'Bill Gates'. Then the boys decide to be the next 'Bill Gates' to the world and they move to Bengaluru to achieve it. What happens thereafter and how the story unfolds forms the plot.
Bill Gates
Television & Series (1)
Majaa Talkies is a Kannada comedy talk show hosted by Srujan Lokesh that combines on-stage live sketch comedy with celebrity interview segments. The show features a recurring cast performing sitcom-style sketches and serves as the premier marketing platform for Sandalwood, where actors and filmmakers regularly appear to promote their upcoming and in-theatre movies.
