S Shyam Prasad
The much-anticipated Kannada film 1990s, a nostalgic love story set in—no surprise—the 1990s, is hitting the big screen on February 28. Directed by first-time filmmaker Nandakumar CM, the movie stars Arun and Rani Varad in the lead roles. With its intriguing title, a well-received teaser, and soulful songs, 1990s is already generating excitement among audiences eager for a trip down memory lane.
The film’s trailer was recently launched by Dr. Na. Someshwara, renowned for his mastery of the Kannada language, and Indrajit Lankesh, the journalist, actor, producer, and director. Both had glowing words for the trailer. Lankesh even suggested that theaters lower ticket prices and improve seating in select locations to make Kannada films more accessible. Dr. Na. Someshwara, in his signature style, shared his thoughts on the trailer and one of the film’s songs.
Talking about the project, director Nandakumar CM emphasised its nostalgic appeal. As the title suggests, the story is set in the 1990s. While it's primarily a love story, it has all the ingredients audiences love—drama, emotions, and moments that literally take you back in time. Confident about the film's appeal, he credited his dedicated team for bringing his vision to life.
Embracing the pan-India trend, 1990s will be released in five languages—Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. While this is Nandakumar’s directorial debut, he’s no newcomer to the industry, bringing two decades of experience to the project. The film is produced by Manasu Mallige Combines.
For lead actor Arun, this film is extra special. Son of veteran film editor Janardhan, he makes his feature film debut with 1990s. Reflecting on the project, he described it as a compelling story and called his character an innocent lover.
The film’s music is composed by Maharaj, with cinematography by Halesh. The trailer launch event saw the presence of key crew members, including actor Dev, music director Maharaja, cinematographer Halesh, stunt director Ashok, choreographer Sadik Sardar, and editor Krishna.
With its release date locked in, 1990s promises to deliver a heartwarming love story wrapped in nostalgia, sure to strike a chord with audiences.