Accident (1984 film)

Accident is a 1984 Indian Kannada language crime-drama film directed by Shankar Nag. The film starred himself, his brother Anant Nag and his wife Arundhati Nag.

Plot
Deepak, the spoiled son of a powerful politician Dharmadhikari, runs his car over pavement dwellers one night under the influence of drugs. All are killed, except Ramanna, who identifies the driver. His friend Rahul, son of an advertising agency chief, is with him during the accident. The shock of the accident leaves Rahul deeply traumatised.

Unable to hold the secret any longer, Rahul shares the truth with his mother. She in turn implores Dharmadhikari to save them. Dharmadhikari who is slated to win a by-election cannot afford to let this accident ruin his political ambitions. He hushes up the case with the help of Chief Minister and sends his son on a trip abroad. Sub-Inspector Rao takes charge of the case as an investigative officer.

Ravi, a daring investigative journalist, joins Rao and they investigate the case together. When Rao identifies the culprits, Dharmadhikari asks his retired driver to say 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. On his way to the airport, Deepak dies in an accident.

Cast

 * Anant Nag as Dharmadhikari, a politician
 * Shankar Nag as Ravi, a journalist
 * Arundhati Nag as Maya Rani
 * Ashok Mandanna as Deepak
 * Makeup Naani as Editor Shamanna
 * Srinivas Prabhu as Rahul
 * Ramesh Bhat as Inspector Rao
 * T. S. Nagabharana as Ramanna
 * H. G. Somashekar Rao as Mechanic Pinto
 * Shimoga Venkatesh as Police Commissioner

Production
The film was produced in two months. While filming the climax, Anant Nag who was playing the politician, was to be shot in the courtyard of his house. He had wanted to base it around the assassination of Indira Gandhi. But Shankar Nag did not agree and therefore changed the ending of the film.

Reception
The film won the first National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues at the 32nd National Film Awards in 1985. 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.

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