Here are the top 10 Kannada films of the 1970s
- Samskara (1970) – Directed by Pattabhirama Reddy, this film was based on the novel by U.R. Ananthamurthy and featured a stellar cast including Girish Karnad. It won the Bronze Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival.
- Kasturi Nivasa (1970) – Starring Rajkumar, this drama directed by S.K. Bhagavan and B. Dorai Raj told the story of a generous and righteous man.
- Bangarada Manushya (1972) – Rajkumar played the lead role in this drama directed by Siddalingaiah about a man who helps his sister in financial trouble.
- Vamsha Vriksha (1972) – Directed by B.V. Karanth and Girish Karnad, this film was based on the novel by S.L. Bhyrappa and marked the debut of actor Vishnuvardhan.
- Gandhada Gudi (1973) – Rajkumar starred in this action thriller directed by Vijay about a forest officer sent to stop sandalwood smuggling.
- Kaadu (1973) – Girish Karnad directed this film based on the novel by Srikrishna Alanahalli.
- Mayura (1975) – Rajkumar portrayed a saintly boy who discovers his royal lineage in this historical drama directed by Vijay.
- Babruvahana (1977) – Rajkumar starred in this action drama directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy about the son of Arjuna.
- Ghatashraddha (1977) – Girish Kasaravalli directed this experimental film which won the Ducats Award at the Mannheim Film Festival in Germany.
- Operation Diamond Racket (1978) – Rajkumar played the lead role in this action comedy mystery directed by S.K. Bhagavan and B. Dorai Raj.
These films showcase the diversity of Kannada cinema in the 1970s, ranging from literary adaptations to mythological dramas to experimental works. Rajkumar emerged as the biggest star of the decade, while directors like Girish Karnad and Girish Kasaravalli made their mark with critically acclaimed films.
