Ramesh Aravind returns to Nagathihalli's America America universe
According to our source, in news that may thrill longtime fans, Ramesh Aravind—one of the original leads of America America—will be making a pivotal appearance in the new film. Our source explains that his inclusion is not just a decision to cash in on nostalgia, but serves as a narrative bridge connecting the emotional ethos of the past with today's storytelling.
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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
‘Su From So': How an unheralded Kannada film broke marketing norms to set box office records
Three days ago, Su From So was an unheralded film. Today, it has shaken the Kannada film industry, reiterating the importance of quality content and prompting filmmakers to reassess their promotional strategies. Su From So, released during the cataclysmic run of Saiyaara, the Hindi love story that has revived the romance genre in Bollywood. The entertaining F1, which had crossed the ₹100 crore-mark in India, was still a hot property in Bengaluru. And Telugu star Pawan Kalyan's much-awaited Hari Hara Veera Mallu was expected to score big. However, three days after its theatrical release, Su From So has conquered every hurdle in its path to break box office records. It's a surprise hit of 2025. 'Three days ago, Su From So was an unknown project. Today, you have made it one of the most exciting films of the year,' Raj B Shetty, who co-produced the movie, wrote on social media. The numbers associated with Su From So are mind-boggling. The film created history when one lakh twenty-seven thousand tickets got sold on the ticketing app BookMyShow on Saturday (July 26, 2025). No Kannada film has enjoyed this amount of ticket sales in a single day on the online platform. On Sunday, Su From So enjoyed more than 550 housefull shows across India, a terrific number considering the prolonged lull in the Kannada film industry in 2025. Raj, apart from co-producing the movie, plays a prominent character in Su From So, but his role was kept a secret. The director of acclaimed films like Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana could have been the face of the film, but chose not to hog the limelight of a movie filled with fresh faces in Kannada. One video message from Raj proved to be game-changing. 'We know that you are tired of pre-release interviews and reactions from celebrity shows. We aren't doing them for our movie. We want you all to be our honest promoters. Watch our film and spread the word,' the actor-director had urged, as he announced paid-premiere shows in Shivamogga, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru. Bharath Sudhama, co-founder of film marketing company The Big Little, feels Raj pulled off a coup with his statement. 'Saying you won't promote a film is itself a promotion. It means that you are telling the audience you are completely confident about your content. People walk into the theatres wanting to like the movie because of the bold step from the makers,' he analyses. 'It's like Upendra saying his film is only for the intelligent ones (bhuddivantharige maatra). Everybody would want to be known as intelligent to watch his movies.' After avoiding the customary YouTube appearances, Su From So banked on their content to do the talking. The hilarious trailer and the peppy dance number, called 'Dank Anthem', had given the movie some advantage. Post its release, the outstanding word of mouth has bolstered ticket sales. 'We are getting requests for more shows,' Raj told reporters. On Sunday, 72 early-morning shows (EMS, before 9:00 am) were added in Bengaluru theatres, an unprecedented development. Bharath says the industry must be cautious and not see this low-key promotion strategy as a formula. 'Minimal promotions might not work for another movie because it may not garner exceptional word-of-mouth in the initial phase. You can't criticise a team that opts for vibrant promotional methods just because one movie tasted success without promotional activities. Every film team has to find a unique option to suit its content,' explains Bharath. Just like Kirik Party (2016), Kantara (2022), and 777 Charlie (2022), it's a team from the coastal Karnataka region that has resurrected a struggling industry with a refreshing subject aimed at entertaining the family audience. Su From So, directed by popular Tulu theatre artiste and film actor JP Thuminad, is a rip-roaring horror comedy set in a village in Dakshina Kannada. Marked by excellent performances, the film makes for a great community viewing, as it weaves an important message with a rooted presentation, maintaining the flavour of the backdrop. ALSO READ: 'Ekka' movie review: Yuva Rajkumar gives his all to a script that doesn't reward his effort 'The film reminded me of my Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale Kasaragodu (2018),' said Rishab Shetty on X, referring to his third directorial, which was also a fine amalgamation of message and entertainment. Su From So, following a stupendous start, is set to go places. Dulquer Salman's Wayfarer Films will distribute the Malayalam dubbed version of the movie in Kerala from August 01, 2025. Anil Thadani's AA Films has bagged the North India distribution rights for the movie. Phars Film Co. LLC is in talks to release the movie overseas.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Your comments are proof why Renukaswamy's family needs justice: Ramya slams Darshan fans
Actress Ramya is once again facing a wave of online trolling for speaking out in support of Renukaswamy's family — the victim in the ongoing murder case linked to actor Darshan . Last week, the Supreme Court strongly criticised the Karnataka High Court's decision to grant bail to Darshan, questioning the rationale behind the order and suggesting it nearly amounted to an acquittal. Sharing a screenshot of this development, Ramya took to Instagram to demand justice for Renukaswamy's death, and wrote: 'SC is a ray of hope for the common people of India- justice for the family of Renukaswamy.' However, her post did not sit well with Darshan's fanbase, many of whom flooded her comments section with abusive and hateful messages. Unfazed, Ramya responded with a sharply worded Instagram Story that read: 'To all the DBoss fans — Welcome to my Instagram :) Your comments are proof why Renukaswamy's family needs justice!' This isn't the first time Ramya has been targeted. Last year, shortly after Darshan's arrest, she had posted, 'No one is above the law. No one should take the law into their hands.' That too had triggered a wave of trolling from his supporters. Meanwhile, Darshan — currently out on bail — has been on a temple run, recently spotted visiting multiple temples across Karnataka. He had also traveled to Thailand last week to shoot portions of his upcoming film Devil, and returned to Bengaluru two days ago. Ramya and Darshan have shared the screen in two Kannada films — Datta and Snehana Preethina.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Sarzameen' actor Prithviraj Sukumaran predicts a pan-India breakthrough from
Prithviraj Sukumaran the 'Sarzameen' actor and distributor of the 'Kantara' film in Kerala believes the era of pan-India blockbusters is primed for deeper disruption. While the mainstream narrative has largely revolved around films made in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, or Malayalam, cinema across other regions is steadily gaining creative and cultural momentum. Beyond dominant film industries In conversation with Nayandeep Rakshith, Prithviraj was asked whether a future collaboration that truly unifies India's linguistic cinemas is possible. He offered a confident prediction: the next major pan-Indian phenomenon might arise from a lesser-highlighted industry. He posited that Odia cinema might be the darkhorse to create the next big pan-Indian hit, pointing out how surprises often come from the unlikeliest, and oftentimes most overlooked, places. As regional content continues to stretch across borders and formats, Sukumaran's optimism adds to the reality that smaller cinemas and industries could potentially be the front-runners of the next phase in pan-Indian storytelling. Kannada cinema 's sleeper success sets precedent for unexpected breakthroughs Prithviraj Sukumaran reflected on the phenomenon of Kantara's upward trajectory, and he pointed out how no one — not even the filmmakers — considered it as a pan-India film. He said that a decade ago, one could scarcely have pictured a pan-India phenomenon coming from a relatively newer Kannada director and actor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Citadel by Mahindra – Homes with a Modern Edge Mahindra Citadel Enquire Now Undo Prithviraj said that Hombale Films initially thought of 'Kantara' as a little regional release, and at the time they thought the film wouldn't go much further than that stage, and thought their audience was going to be predominantly regional in nature. Since there was no Malayalam film back then, he took the liberty of distributing the original Kannada version in Kerala and expanded its reach. Further, Prithviraj Sukumaran recalled that he initially released Kantara's Kannada version in just eight theatres across Kerala. Due to the massive reaction from local audiences, he contacted Rishab Shetty, asking for a quick Malayalam dub. In about a week or so the dubbed version was ready, which took the film's reach even further. In reflecting on this surprising journey Prithviraj remarked that the next pan-India success story might come from Odia or Bhojpuri industries. From regional recognition to national stardom—how one film changed the game Before the massive success of 'Kantara,' Rishab Shetty was known primarily for his National Award-winning directorial, 'Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale Kasaragode.' As an actor, he had only three titles to his name, 'Bell Bottom,' 'Hero,' and 'Harikathe Alla Girikathe' none of which had marked significant box office success. He wasn't yet seen as a dependable name in terms of commercial returns. Everything changed with 'Kantara.' Released with modest expectations, the film was initially positioned by Hombale Films as a grounded narrative, a true 'namma mannina kathe'. But its resonance with audiences across regions quickly transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, propelling Rishab into a new league of pan-India recognition. The creators of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' are preparing for the formal release date of October 2, 2025. A few days ago, they confirmed principal photography is officially complete. Sources at OTTplay state Rishab Shetty is currently in post-production, working to make a determination on whether to deliver the film in theatres on schedule.
