House of Manikanta, directed by Pinaki Janardhan, defies the big-budget trend with its raw, independent approach. Shot entirely within a single house over just ten days and with a limited budget, the film has already drawn attention, earning a spot in the prestigious recommendations section at Film Bazaar—a major NFDC initiative for indie films. It’s also set to premiere at an upcoming festival and release on OTT platforms.
Pinaki, reflecting on the process, shares, Limitations breed creativity. House of Manikanta unfolds around Manikanta, portrayed by actor GG, but the house itself plays a central role. The house becomes a character, embodying the emotions and hidden tensions of its inhabitants, Pinaki explains. This single-location setup intensifies the sense of isolation and character evolution.
The inspiration came from his work on Grey Games, where a house sparked the idea for this story. With budget constraints, Pinaki condensed a 100-page script into 70, finding that a powerful story doesn’t need a huge budget. He hopes the film motivates other indie filmmakers to tell honest stories, regardless of budget.
House of Manikanta stars Mann Chhatbar, Chethan Vicky, Krishna Hebbale, and Ashwin Haasan, with cinematography by Arfan Abdulazeez, editing by Deepak M Kulal, and music by Sahil Jamal.
