S Shyam Prasad
As many as 11 Kannada films are releasing in theatres this weekend and it is more than a problem of numbers for the industry. The films that vying for the audiences’ attention this week are Saarnsha, Mandya Haida, 5D, Dheera Samrata, Abbabba, Ravike Prasanga, Ladies Bar, KTM, Shakahaari, Alremari Ee Baduku and Email.
In January, 16 Kannada films released despite there being only one film released in the Sankranti festival weekend. The first two weeks of February saw the release of 11 Kannada films. The third weekend is witnessing another 11 films making it 22 for the month so far.
Some of these films are by well-known directors including 5D, starring Aditya which is directed by the veteran S Narayan. The film boasts of being the 50th film to be directed by him. KM Chaitanya directed Abbabba starring Likith Shetty and Amrutha Iyengar has been in the making for nearly five years.
Shakahaari has character artiste Rangayana Raghu in the lead role while Geetha Bharati Bhat makes her big screen lead debut in Ravike Prasanga. Email, starring Ragini Dwivedi was earlier announced to be released last week but has postponed its release to this week. Most of the other films are by newcomers who are trying their luck at the box office.
With multiple releases every week and with no one film making a significant buzz, the Kannada film industry is desperately looking forward to a box office success.
