Bedara Kannappa (pronunciationⓘ) is a 1954 Indian Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by H. L. N. Simha and written by G. V. Iyer.

The film stars Rajkumar playing the title character along with Pandari Bai, Kushala Kumari, G. V. Iyer, Sandhya and Narasimharaju in other prominent roles.

The film is an adaptation of the stage play Kaalahasti Charitre written by T. N. Balakrishna[1] for the Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company,[2] which was based on the folk tale of the hunter Kannappa who proves his extreme devotion to the Hindu God Shiva by gouging out both his eyes.

[3] Bedara Kannappa started as a play produced by the Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company before it became a Kannada film.

[5] In 1953, Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, a dramatist with Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company was spotted by director H. L. N. Simha, who was on the lookout for well-built, pleasant-faced man for the starring role in film.

[11] Following the film's success in Karnataka, it was dubbed and released in Tamil as Vedan Kannappa[12] with an additional song ("Aasaikkoru Aan Pillai") featuring JP Chandrababu, Rajkumar and Pandari Bai which was not there in the Kannada version.

The song Shivappa Kayo Tande (literally Shiva, protect me oh father) is very popular and is sung even today in orchestras.

[8] Michael Patrao of Deccan Herald wrote, "This film turned out to be a landmark in Kannada cinema for more than one reason.