Progress Report of Kannada Cinema 2022

Kannada cinema, which had suffered a severe setback since the outbreak of COVID-19 since 2020, has started showing signs of recovery with the reopening of several cinemas in the state from January 2022.

Contrary to the perception that it will be difficult for the Kannada cinema industry to make a comeback, 110 films have been released in the last six months. “If this trend continues, keeping in mind the films in the post-production stage, the number of releases may cross 300 by December,” says Ba, newly elected president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). mother harish

Yograj Bhatt’s most awaited movies gleepata 2Dhiren Ramkumar shiv 123Ravichandran Starrer Ravi Bopanna Lined up for release in August, around 200 films are slated to release by December. These movies have strong content and amount of entertainment. Hopefully, the Kannada film industry will flourish as before,” says R Jagadish, a leading Kannada film distributor.

Unfortunately, this is where the good news ends. Of the 110 films released, only three were successful at the box office.

Dispelling the notion that the success rate exceeds the number of releases, Harish says, “There is nothing unusual in that, the success rate varies between 4 and 5% even during normal times. The commercial success of three films is theirs. Production is due to values ​​and material.”

James Starring the late Puneet Rajkumar, released in March and did exceptionally well. “Only a few films have carried the emotional weight James” Dr. Sharanu Huluru, author of says nine prince, Biography of the late actor. “The film was a commercial and emotional success due to the huge fan following of Appu (as Puneet was fondly called).”

success of Setwas followed by the mega success of s KGF: Chapter 2 Released in April, established Yash as a bankable pan-India star and took the Kannada film industry to another level. really, KGF: Chapter 2 Created a benchmark not only for South Indian films, but also for the Hindi film industry.

However, what surprised the industry was the success of 777-Charlie Starring Rakshit Shetty. The film, based on the relationship between a dog and its owner, became a huge success and won the hearts of millions.

Apart from these three films, home Minister The Upendra starrer wrote the prelude to the failure of a ‘star’ film at the box office. Although Taldanda, Bodyguard, Immediate Karma And other films were released, audience attendance in theaters remained negligible. Out of 36 films released between January and March, Ombatne Dikku, Love Mocktail And old monk, made little noise and got a modest return on investment. Despite being unsuccessful at the box office, they managed to pull a small segment of the audience to the theatres.

Karnataka Film Producers Association (KFPA) President N. Praveen Kumar explains ticket pricing and upcoming movies on the streaming platform soon after their theatrical release. “Prices are hiked for big budget films such as KGF. Moreover, the release of films on OTT platforms within a few days of their arrival in theatres has become a big issue. Other film industries have already raised this issue while we are yet to address it. There should be a ban of at least 10 weeks for the release of films on OTT platforms.

The films that released in April received a cold response despite their content and the presence of popular actors. , Sakutumba Samata, Harikathe Alla Girikathe, Window Seat, Tutu Madike, Wheelchair Romeo, Chase, Physics Teacher, Selfie Mummy Google Daddy It received critical acclaim but was unsuccessful at the box office. “Why would people come to see a movie unless it’s entertaining?” asks KV Chandrashekhar, the owner of Veeresh Theater in Bangalore. “People will watch only those films, which will satisfy the popular taste. Only a few films that released in the last six months saw decent collections, the rest were forced to drop out to make way for other films.

A still from KGF | photo credit: special arrangement

Sadly, some films failed to attract audiences after the first show and were canceled due to lack of bookings in the required number of films to be screened. “At least five members of an audience are required to screen a film in theatres; “Not even four people came to watch some of the recently released films,” says TS Venkatesh, filmmaker and president of the Karnataka Film Directors Association (KFDA).

The situation is no different in other language film industries in the country. “The Kannada film industry sympathizes with the Telugu Film Producers Guild (TFPG), which has called for all shootings to be called off till the problems of the producers are resolved. On behalf of the Kannada film industry, Harish says, “We are watching the growth of the Telugu film industry and will take a similar decision soon.” Accepting the decision of KFCC, Praveen Kumar of KFPA says; “The issues raised by Telugu filmmakers are real – this is what the Kannada film industry needs to unite with.”