Whether it be JP Thuminad’s recent runaway hit Su from So, featuring eminent artists Raj B. Shetty and Shanil Gautham, or Ondu Motteya Kathe, or Hemanth Rao’s directorial Sapta Sagaradaache Ello starring Rakshit Shetty, Kannada films have, over the years, sprung surprises every now and then, showcasing both a glimpse and the immense artistic potential of the industry.

Just as Baahubali was a watershed moment for Telugu cinema, KGF, the Prashanth Neel-directed action spectacle and pride of Kannada cinema, catapulted Yash—who played the title role—to national fame. The film breathed new life into Kannada cinema, which had long been overshadowed by its southern counterparts—Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. While Tamil and Telugu industries had made inroads into northern India much earlier, and Malayalam cinema was regarded as the flagbearer of ‘good cinema,’ Kannada films largely remained under the radar. That all changed dramatically with KGF, a film that not only shattered box office records but also transformed the perception of Kannada cinema nationwide.

In an insightful interview with Hindustan Times, Chaluve Gowda, co-founder of Hombale Films and producer of KGF and Kantara, reflected on this shift. “Our vision was to take our stories outside and make them universal,” he said, citing Kantara’s ritual Bhuta Kola as an example that became “a worldwide phenomenon.”

Recalling earlier industry scepticism, Gowda shared, “We went to a big star for KGF years ago. They asked, ‘Where do these Kannada films even run?’ At that time, not many people knew about Kannada films outside Karnataka.” But after KGF grossed ₹250 crore and its sequel KGF: Chapter 2 collected a staggering ₹1250 crore globally, attitudes shifted. “Now, the same people approach us for opportunities,” Gowda added with a laugh.

Following Vikrant Rona, Kantara, 777 Charlie, and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, Kannada cinema has gained scale and visibility. Looking ahead, Hombale Films is preparing for the October release of Kantara: Chapter 1. Gowda also revealed plans to begin work on the sequel to Prabhas’ starrer Salaar next year, along with a new Hindi project starring Hrithik Roshan.

“We’ve been successful, and the bar is set high,” Gowda noted. “Now, we have to maintain the standard, or be better than that.”

From legends like Rajkumar to Puneeth, and now contemporary stars like JP Thuminad and Sandhya Arakere, Kannada cinema has always been rich with cinematic glory—rightly revered and celebrated today thanks to ambitious minds and evolving storytelling.