Director Hemanth M Rao reflects on the challenges facing the Kannada film industry, noting the lack of blockbuster hits in recent years and the dwindling audience attendance in theaters. He emphasizes the importance of collective action and a unified voice to address these issues. Rao, a director deeply rooted in Kannada culture, discusses the need for industry leadership that prioritizes community over individual star power. He highlights the contrast with Telugu and Tamil cinema, where younger filmmakers are driving change and reaching wider audiences. Additionally, Rao outlines his commitment to creating meaningful cinema in Kannada and his ongoing efforts to engage viewers amidst industry struggles."We do not have our own OTT platform. It is important for the government and industry representatives to collaborate and take a firm stand on this issue."
Regarding the lack of sufficient support from producers, Hemanth comments, "For many producers, filmmaking is akin to gambling as it is not their main source of income. Hence, there is a lack of interest in regulating the industry."
"Kannada films do not receive decent compensation from TV channels. For instance, a film made with a budget of Rs 1.5 crore may only be offered Rs 10-20 lakh by TV channels. This is not anyone's fault, but rather a lack of unified leadership to address the issue. Piracy is rampant; films like Sapta Sagaradaache Ello are available on platforms like Telegram just days after release, without significant opposition," he explains.
"Many misconceptions exist regarding what constitutes a commercial hit in cinema. The boundary between commercial and art cinema is becoming more blurred. Any film that sells tickets and generates profits should be considered commercial. My film Godhi Banna... was deemed not commercial initially, but it earned four times its investment. It frustrates me when people hold such beliefs, revealing their limited business understanding. All my films have been financially successful, so how can they not be considered commercial? There is a misconception that a film must make hundreds of crores to be successful, resembling a lottery. As a filmmaker, my aim is to deliver a reasonable return on investment, not aim for extraordinary profits. Sustainable success is achieved by ensuring a modest investment results in a profit, rather than expecting enormous returns. The focus should be on creating quality cinema to attract more viewers, instead of attempting a drastic revolution prematurely."Filmmaking begins with creating films that resonate with us. This was the catalyst for our film production journey. Reflecting on our recent film, Aachar and Co, Hemanth notes its contribution to our cinematic evolution. Comparing the filmmaking process to a blind leap into a pool, he describes it as delving into an endless abyss without knowing the depth of the subject matter. Immersing himself in the world of his films, he strives to establish a profound connection with the characters, believing that this connection resonates with the audience as well. To authentically craft his characters, Hemanth draws inspiration from real people through his travels, shaping his storytelling with a personal touch. Embracing the use of colors in his films, he recognizes the cultural and subconscious significance of colors in our lives. Hemanth leverages colors on screen to enhance the storytelling experience, emphasizing the importance of balancing visual elements with the narrative to captivate and engage the audience throughout the film.
