Birthday special: Have you seen these popular Darshan movies?

Actor Darshan is arguably one of the biggest and most popular mass heroes in Kannada cinema. He enjoys a strong fan following due to his impressive screen presence, gripping punch dialogues and paisa vasool performances.

The star has acted in quite a few big hits and proved that he is ‘D Boss’ of the box office. On Tuesday, as Darshan turns a year older, here is a look at five movies that made him a force to be reckoned with.

Majestic (2001)

Widely regarded as the film that established Darshan as a bankable star, Majestic was a crime-drama that revolved around the journey of an orphan. The flick emerged as a big hit at the box office as it had enough ‘masala’ to satisfy the masses. Majestic was later remade in Telugu as Charminar.

Porki (2006)

The ‘Challenging Star’ played the role of an undercover cop in the action-packed Porki, a faithful remake of the Telugu movie Pokiri. The film proved to be a commercial success and hit the right notes with its engaging narrative and action scenes. It starred Pranitha as the leading lady and marked her big-screen debut.

Anatharu (2007)

The film was a remake of the Tamil classic Pithamagan and marked Darshan’s first collaboration with Upendra. The actioner received rave reviews with most critics praising the gripping screenplay. Darshan played the role of a fraudster in the film, hitting the right notes with his effortless performance. He complimented the ‘Real Star’, adding new life to the movie.

Saarathi (2011)

The action-packed romantic drama ran for 100 days in 50 theatres, helping Darshan consolidate his standing in the industry. The film had shades of the animated classic The Lion King and its cast included Deepa Sannidhi, Ajay and Sarathkumar.

Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012)

The film revolved around the life of the Army Chief of Kittur and proved to be a gamechanger for Darshan. The actor received critical acclaim for his portrayal of the titular character and proved that he was more than just a commercial hero. The magnum opus had a strong cast that included Jaya Prada, Nikita Thukral and Srinivasa Murthy.