The Heroine of the Stage) is a 1981 Indian Kannada language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal starring Aarathi, Ambareesh, Ramakrishna, Ashok, Rajanand.

When a rich man, Nagaraja, falls in love with her, she marries him and draws the curtain on her career.

On one occasion, when the drama company faces an emergency with the new actress absconding, Ranganayaki dons the grease paint to save her father's reputation.

Ranganayaki returns to theater but with the death of her father, and in the face of mounting losses is forced to close the drama company.

While circumstances make sure this does not happen, by the time Shekhar realizes the truth about her identity, 'Mala' who suffers from bouts of depression, would have taken her own life.