A wider Kannada audience is key for experimental films to succeed: Prabhu Mundkur

Time of India

21 hours ago

At the sidelines of the recently held Bangalore Times Fashion Week, Kannada actor
Prabhu Mundkur
told us he's choosing action over apathy, and activating his 'beast mode' after growing weary of endless industry chatter, particularly the ongoing discussions about the lull in Kannada cinema.
'I grew tired of us just talking, complaining endlessly about problems and theorising solutions – without ever taking action. That's why I stepped away from social media, focused at my office, and started working on a strategy for myself. Real change has to start from within,' he says. Excerpts:
'WE PRAISE FILMS IN OTHER LANGUAGES, BUT NOT OUR OWN'
Prabhu says his attitude towards work changed after the release of Murphy, his 2024 sci-fi drama that explored the complexities of time travel.
'Although everyone praised the film after watching it on OTT, they didn't do so when it opened in theatres. Had the same film been released in Tamil or Malayalam, the audiences would have gone overboard with their reviews. For experimental films to succeed in Kannada, the niche audience pool must expand.
Other language industries have already cultivated this – they have an audience for all cinema genres. Filmmakers, too, must deliver successful experimental films for them to gain credibility and build a market for such films,' he says.
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The next category of actors must concentrate on doing good films — even if they're small ones
Prabhu Mundkur
'IF ALL ARTISTS SEEK WORK ELSEWHERE, THE KANNADA INDUSTRY WILL BE NEGLECTED'
While Prabhu is aware that actors move to other industries for the need for sustenance and creative satisfaction, he feels that if everyone heads out, Kannada will be left neglected. 'There is so much to do here. Unlike other industries where there is an ecosystem of actors for every category, the Kannada film industry lacks a second tier of heroes.
This leaves theatres empty for most of the year, as audiences wait for films from stars because they are familiar with their work,' he observes.
The Kannada film industry lacks a second tier of heroes. This void leaves theatres empty for most of the year, as audiences wait for films from the stars because they are familiar with them and their work
Prabhu Mundkur
'SOCIAL MEDIA BUILDS UNNECESSARY HYPE OVER FILMS AND TAKES AWAY CREDIBILITY'
Prabhu notes that while social media has a major contribution to the publicity of films, it also has a flip side. 'Every film and every actor who is not yet a star and is even minutely appreciated is called 'underrated', and a hype is built around the actor or the film.
In the beginning, I fell for this gimmick, too — until I realised they do this for every small film. And when the film isn't worth the hype, it dilutes the credibility of praises,' he says.
Experimental cinema can only thrive when the niche Kannada audience base grows. Other language industries have already cultivated this – they have an audience for all cinema genres
Prabhu Mundkur
'WE NEED MORE FILMS TO WIN AUDIENCES BACK'
Now, Prabhu's attention is towards winning back the audience. 'Stars will do what they need to do. The next category of actors must concentrate on doing good films, even if they're small ones; and gradually win back the support of people. I've already committed to three films this year,' says Prabhu.