Despite achieving pan-India success in 2022, the Kannada film industry has not seen a blockbuster in the past two years. Director Hemanth M Rao highlights the challenge of declining audience turnout in theaters to watch Kannada films. Reflecting on the industry's dilemma, he emphasizes the need for a unified voice to address the current situation. With a commitment to Kannada cinema and a desire to stay rooted in the culture, Hemanth shares his insights and concerns about the industry's leadership crisis, his filmmaking approach, and the struggle to capture audience attention in a recent interview with Bangalore Times. Hemanth stresses the importance of collective action to represent the industry effectively, citing the example of Telugu and Tamil cinema where younger talents are driving change. He calls for industry stakeholders to come together and address the issue at hand, including the lack of support for Kannada films on OTT platforms."We do not have our own OTT platform. The government and industry representatives should join forces and take a unified stand on this matter." Regarding the lack of support from producers, Hemanth explains, "For many producers, filmmaking is considered a gamble, as it is not their main source of income. Therefore, there is little interest in regulating the industry." "Kannada films are not adequately compensated by TV channels," he adds, citing examples where a film with a budget of Rs 1.5 crore is being offered only Rs 10-20 lakh for broadcasting rights. Hemanth points out that there is a lack of strong leadership to address issues such as piracy, where films are being illegally circulated shortly after release. He stresses that there is a misconception regarding what constitutes a commercial hit in the film industry. Hemanth believes that any film that sells tickets and turns a profit can be considered commercial, regardless of its genre. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sustainable business model rather than aiming for exorbitant profits, highlighting the need to focus on creating quality cinema to attract wider audiences.Filmmaking is a journey of exploration into unknown depths, much like diving into a pool without knowing its true dimensions. Hemanth expresses that creating a movie is akin to immersing oneself in a boundless vortex, delving into unfamiliar territories to capture authentic human experiences and convey them to the audience. He believes in establishing a profound connection with the characters he portrays on screen, drawing inspiration from real individuals he encounters during his travels. By infusing his narratives with vibrant colors, he adds layers of significance that resonate culturally and subconsciously with the viewers. However, he emphasizes that while colors and sound can enhance a film, storytelling remains paramount to engage and captivate the audience, ensuring they remain engrossed without distractions.