Bengaluru: Stories of victory that inspire
Chronicles of good triumphing over evil have long been a mainstay in Indian storytelling, whether through ancient epics, folk traditions or contemporary cinema. With the festival of Vijaya Dashami symbolising this very sentiment through goddess Durga’s slaying of Mahishasura, actors from Bengaluru share their most cherished on-screen moments where righteousness prevailed and justice was served.
The cost of victory
Actor-director Aniruddha Jatkar draws from his own career, highlighting the 2006 Kannada film Neenello Naanalle, where he starred alongside the legendary Vishnuvardhan. Recalling the film’s climax, he explains that his character Santosh, after enduring numerous trials to prove his love, kills the antagonist who had kidnapped Siri. While victorious, the act leaves his character with profound grief.
“Santosh doesn’t celebrate his triumph. Instead, there is anguish in his eyes, reflecting the heavy burden of taking a life. Sometimes even the righteous are forced into dark paths to end evil,” Jatkar shares, underscoring the moral complexity of such victories.
Dr Rajkumar’s evergreen presence
For actor Prem, memories of Vijaya Dashami are inseparable from watching Dr Rajkumar on screen. “Doordarshan used to telecast Karulina Kare (1970) on the festival day, and the entire neighbourhood children gathered around the TV. The song ‘Mysuru dasara eshtondu sundara’ still remains etched in my mind,” he recalls fondly.
Prem also points to Mahishasura Mardhini (1959), where Dr Rajkumar himself played the role of Mahishasura. “His performance in that film is unforgettable, and it brings the symbolism of Vijaya Dashami alive.”
Feminine rage and resilience
Goddess Durga’s ferocity has often been a source of cinematic inspiration. Actor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju admires films where women embody divine strength. “Sridevi in Mom (2017), avenging her daughter’s assault, was supremely satisfying. Similarly, Vidya Balan in Kahaani (2012) avenges her husband’s death with unmatched conviction. I was an adolescent when I first watched them, and their feminine rage left me in awe. My chosen name ‘Trinetra’ itself is one of Ma Durga’s 108 names,” she shares.
Actor Amrutha Iyengar also finds inspiration in powerful female portrayals. “Anushka Shetty’s role in Arundhati (2009) was exceptional. Her grace, strength and conviction made the climax deeply personal and victorious. Nobody else could have carried that role with such power.”
Folk meets fury
Actor Raanna selects Kantara (2022), Rishabh Shetty’s critically acclaimed film that blends folklore with modern concerns. “In the climax, when all hope seems lost, divine intervention reinforces the message that good will always prevail over evil. The audience experienced a collective goosebump moment,” he explains.
Iyengar echoes the sentiment, recalling how theatres fell silent during the climactic scene, describing it as “divine.” She also cites Raj B Shetty’s intense performance in Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021), saying, “His dramatic dance in front of the temple after a killing was so powerful that I stood up and applauded.”
Conclusion: Eternal resonance of good’s triumph
From classical performances of Dr Rajkumar to modern cinematic spectacles like Kantara, the portrayal of righteousness defeating evil continues to captivate audiences. For these Bengaluru actors, such moments are more than just entertainment—they are reminders that however dark the times, light and justice ultimately prevail, echoing the timeless spirit of Vijaya Dashami.