U-Turn, Godi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, Thithi, and Karva are drawing film-goers to theatres

Breaking the myth that only a stellar star cast can catapult a film to success, four Kannada movies made by young directors, who have dared to explore out-of-the-box themes and featured new faces, are running simultaneously to packed houses in Bengaluru and elsewhere.

U-Turn, Godi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, Thithi and Karva have not only won critical acclaim, but drawing film-goers — including a large non-Kannadiga audience — to the theatres. Interestingly, barring U-Turn , other three are by debut film-makers.

Unusual development

With creative themes, low budget, and emphasis on realistic subjects that have rarely been touched in Kannada cinema before, these films have caught the imagination of the audience. All four have comfortably shared commercial space and audience simultaneously. This is an unusual development in an industry where films are often removed for the lack of audience.

The trend, according to Navaneet, maker of Karva , commenced with the release of Rangi Taranga by Anoop Bhandari last year. “The film ushered in a new trend in Kannada and competed with blockbusters, including Bahubali and Bhajrangi Bhaijaan when it was released,” he said.

“I have not seen this kind of a trend in my film career spanning four decades,” said S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, chairperson, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, who organised a meet of directors to get inputs on this. As against the average of 120 films a year, the last 20 weeks alone have seen 80 Kannada releases this year.