A director of the south Indian film industry, Puttanna Kanagal was considered one of the few directors who balanced art and commercial cinema. This talent of appealing to the critics and the masses alike earned his films the special category of `bridge films`. Many of his films, like Gejje Pooje (1969) for example, became landmarks in the Kannada film industry. His distinction garnered him the nickname `Chitra Bramha`, meaning God of Films in Kannada. Several count him among India`s greatest filmmakers. Some of his most notable projects include Kappu Bilupu (1969), Sharapanjara (1971), Nagarahavu (1972), Zehreela Insaan (1974), Shubhamangala (1975) and Ranganayaki (1981).