Latest news with #VikrantRona
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Bigg Boss Kannada': Sudeep retracts decision, back as host for Season 12
Kannada star Kichcha Sudeep, who quit as Bigg Boss Kannada host in 2024, has taken a U Turn on his decision. The Sandalwood star is set to return as the host of the 12th season of the popular reality show on Colors Kannada. The organisers announced the development during a press conference on June 30, 2025. The actor will host Bigg Boss Kannada for four more seasons. 'The show must go on. We need to think from the perspective of the fans who loves me as the host of the show,' said Sudeep at the presser. In December 2024, Sudeep had opened up to The Hindu about the reason behind the leaving the show. 'Let me not pretend that nothing happened. Not everybody involved in the show deserve my effort. For example, I will be somewhere in North India. I travel for the show from there and see all the episodes and then get ready for the weekend episodes. It takes a lot off effort. When the effort isn't acknowledged, I feel I can put in the same amount of hard work in my films,' he said. The actor said that he sensed honesty in the request of the organisers, convincing him to change his stance. He also clarified that he wasn't bothered about the type of contestants entering the show. 'Bigg Boss needs all kinds of characters. My only demand to the organisers was that they must have a clarity behind picking contestants. As a host, I shouldn't stress myself about certain participants while I ignore the rest' ALSO READ:Sudeep interview | On 'Max', taking break from movies and what to expect from 'Billa Ranga Baasha' Meanwhile, on the work front, Sudeep has teamed up again with Anup Bhandari for Billa Ranga Baasha. The actor-director duo is back after the investigative action thriller Vikrant Rona (2022). Billa Ranga Baasha, billed as a futuristic action drama, is produced by Primeshow Entertainment, the banner behind the hit Telugu superhero movie HanuMan. Speculations are rife that Sudeep is also set to collaborate with director Vijay Kartikeyaa, with whom he worked in the blockbuster action thriller Max (2024).
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Billa Ranga Baashaa maker Anup Bhandari admits hiding Vikrant Rona's Rangitaranga connect was wrong
In 2022, when the promotions of Kiccha Sudeep's Vikrant Rona began, it was publicized as an action fantasy drama, with the trailer declaring that the film would present the world's new hero. Expectations of a vigilante/superhero movie grew with this, but at the same time, eagle-eyed audiences noticed a few elements that suggested a connect with director Anup Bhandari's debut film, Rangitaranga. Kiccha Sudeep in Vikrant Rona Watch both Rangitaranga and Vikrant Rona on OTTplay Premium The Gara Gara Gaggara Jarba Pira Nalkuri Netthara Parba mentioned in the Vikrant Rona trailer featured in the Dennana Dennana song from Rangitaranga. There was also a news clipping about an event in Kamarottu village, which is where Rangitaranga was set, on the investigation board Sudeep's character puts up. The speculation was that Vikrant Rona would be an origin story, given that it was set in a time before the events of Rangitaranga and that Anup would probably urge audiences to watch/rewatch his maiden film before the Sudeep-starrer hits theatres. That was not to be, though, which, in hindsight, Anup says was a wrong call made at the time. There was no mention of a Rangitaranga connect whatsoever, so when the film released, that was mentioned as one of its major issues. Audiences would have preferred if Anup had admitted that it was in the Rangitaranga universe. Now, as he prepares to re-release the film to celebrate its 10th anniversary on July 4, 2025, Anup has clarified that Vikrant Rona was initially meant to be Rangitaranga 2 and took the shape it is in now after Kiccha Sudeep came on board. The filmmaker says that he was advised to make certain changes in keeping with Sudeep's image, following which the actor agreed to do the film. During the promotions, then, there were internal team discussions about whether or not to reveal the Rangitaranga connect. There was a school of thought that given the scale of the project, it would not be wise to make such a revelation. With so much money at stake, Anup felt he could not say no and stick to his guts. But today, he feels he should have. Despite this issue, Vikrant Rona was a major hit, but Anup says that it would have been even better if they had come clean about it being set in the Rangitaranga universe, given that the latter was a much-loved film. His plan, he adds, was to have Sudeep's introduction shot with a rock version of Dennena Dennana playing, which, however then that thought changed and it became an action sequence with the Gumma Banda Gumma song.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
To play Mithya, I had to unlearn acting: Child actor Athish Shetty
To play the character Mithya, which, incidentally, won him awards and accolades, child actor Athish Shetty said he had to "unlearn" everything he knew about acting after doing more than a dozen films. 'Mithya' directed by Suman Bhat , under the banner of Rakshith Shetty's Paramvah Studios, is now showing on Amazon Prime. "Before 'Mithya', I was doing normal child characters -- you know, where you try to be cute, laugh a lot, cry every now and then. But Mithya was nothing like that, he was so silent -- he did not even cry although he was obviously sad -- that I couldn't understand him in the beginning," said Athish. Athish, who is turning 15 soon, said he has been part of the entertainment industry "as long as he could remember". "I must have been three or four when I first auditioned for a reality show for a TV channel in Mangaluru. Not only did I get through easily then, I also got the 'best performer of the week' for that show," added the child star, who has played bit roles in big budget films like 'Kantara', starring Risabh Shetty, and 'Vikrant Rona' starring Sudeep Kiccha. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Legendary Stars: Timeless Icons Boite A Scoop Undo His first fleshed out character came in a 2018 film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty -- 'Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale, Kaasaragodu, Koduge: Raamanna Rai' starring industry bigwigs like Anant Nag. The film that won the 66th National Film Awards for Best Children's Film, is about a Kannada medium government school in Kasargod of Kerala that sits on the border of Karnataka. Even in that film, said Athish, he played a "normal child character". Nothing really prepared him for the titular role in 'Mithya', he said. "I think I am very lucky to have played Mithya," he added. He was only 11 or 12, when Bhat asked him to do a screen test, said Athish. "To tell the truth, my screen test was underwhelming. Sumanth sir persisted with me only because I worked previously in a web series produced by him," he said. Bhat told PTI that there was something about Athish's screen presence that he decided to stick with him despite his lacklustre take of Mithya during the screen test. "I knew that he would get into the character once I explained to him the nuances of being Mithya," said Bhat. Athish said the two-month workshop in Manipal that Bhat organised forever changed the concept of acting for him. "Sumanth sir was very thorough, he broke down Mithya's character in such minute detail that I understood where his angst and resentment could come from, even though as a person he is so different from me. I am not at all moody and I talk a lot. But I could understand why Mithya won't. This helped me a lot when I was shooting for the film," said Athish. 'Mithya' is not an easy film: it ventures too close to reality for comfort. It tells the story of a boy struggling to come to terms with the deaths of his parents. For much of the film, we watch Athish's Mithya whittle away at his restlessness until he reaches the core of his resentment --he blames his younger sister for triggering their parents' domestic discord. Athish said he also got lucky because Bhat eventually decided to let his younger brother Avish play his sister in the film. "The chemistry between us that you see in 'Mithya', is much like in real life. We are the same--we squabble, giggle and sometimes beat each other. In fact, Sumanth sir saw us play once during the workshop when my mother got Avish along with her and decided to cast him," said Athish. Bhat said he auditioned many to play Vandana, Mithya's sister. It never really worked out because at that age kids will naturally be fearful if a stranger slapped them, as it was needed in the script, he added. "But when Athish did that to Avish, he pushed him back instinctively before crying, which is a more natural response between siblings. I was looking for that kind of energy, so we decided on Avish, even though he was a boy," said Bhat. Athish said this not only helped make Mithya more real, but it paved a way for both their careers in the Kannada film industry . "I have done two films now -- 'Dhruva' and 'Exam Fear' -- where the film revolves around my character. They will be released soon. My brother too is working on a film with 'Kantara' Kishore, in which he plays a full-fledged role, too," said Athish. A Class 10 student, Athish said although he keeps himself busy in school too -- he's also national-level kickboxer and state-level Chinese martial arts Wushu fighter -- acting is something he holds very dear. "It's a lot of hard work. During school breaks, I end up doing two shifts -- 6 am to 6 pm and 6 pm to 6 am -- to complete my commitments. But I truly do not mind. I want to be an actor, no matter what. And a character like Mithya at such an early age, I think, is a blessing," added Athish. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
To play Mithya, I had to unlearn acting: Child actor Athish Shetty
Bengaluru, To play the character Mithya, which, incidentally, won him awards and accolades, child actor Athish Shetty said he had to "unlearn" everything he knew about acting after doing more than a dozen films. 'Mithya' directed by Suman Bhat, under the banner of Rakshith Shetty's Paramvah Studios, is now showing on Amazon Prime. "Before 'Mithya', I was doing normal child characters you know, where you try to be cute, laugh a lot, cry every now and then. But Mithya was nothing like that, he was so silent he did not even cry although he was obviously sad that I couldn't understand him in the beginning," said Athish. Athish, who is turning 15 soon, said he has been part of the entertainment industry "as long as he could remember". "I must have been three or four when I first auditioned for a reality show for a TV channel in Mangaluru. Not only did I get through easily then, I also got the 'best performer of the week' for that show," added the child star, who has played bit roles in big budget films like 'Kantara', starring Risabh Shetty, and 'Vikrant Rona' starring Sudeep Kiccha. His first fleshed out character came in a 2018 film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty 'Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale, Kaasaragodu, Koduge: Raamanna Rai' starring industry bigwigs like Anant Nag. The film that won the 66th National Film Awards for Best Children's Film, is about a Kannada medium government school in Kasargod of Kerala that sits on the border of Karnataka. Even in that film, said Athish, he played a "normal child character". Nothing really prepared him for the titular role in 'Mithya', he said. "I think I am very lucky to have played Mithya," he added. He was only 11 or 12, when Bhat asked him to do a screen test, said Athish. "To tell the truth, my screen test was underwhelming. Sumanth sir persisted with me only because I worked previously in a web series produced by him," he said. Bhat told PTI that there was something about Athish's screen presence that he decided to stick with him despite his lacklustre take of Mithya during the screen test. "I knew that he would get into the character once I explained to him the nuances of being Mithya," said Bhat. Athish said the two-month workshop in Manipal that Bhat organised forever changed the concept of acting for him. "Sumanth sir was very thorough, he broke down Mithya's character in such minute detail that I understood where his angst and resentment could come from, even though as a person he is so different from me. I am not at all moody and I talk a lot. But I could understand why Mithya won't. This helped me a lot when I was shooting for the film," said Athish. 'Mithya' is not an easy film: it ventures too close to reality for comfort. It tells the story of a boy struggling to come to terms with the deaths of his parents. For much of the film, we watch Athish's Mithya whittle away at his restlessness until he reaches the core of his resentment he blames his younger sister for triggering their parents' domestic discord. Athish said he also got lucky because Bhat eventually decided to let his younger brother Avish play his sister in the film. "The chemistry between us that you see in 'Mithya', is much like in real life. We are the same we squabble, giggle and sometimes beat each other. In fact, Sumanth sir saw us play once during the workshop when my mother got Avish along with her and decided to cast him," said Athish. Bhat said he auditioned many to play Vandana, Mithya's sister. It never really worked out because at that age kids will naturally be fearful if a stranger slapped them, as it was needed in the script, he added. "But when Athish did that to Avish, he pushed him back instinctively before crying, which is a more natural response between siblings. I was looking for that kind of energy, so we decided on Avish, even though he was a boy," said Bhat. Athish said this not only helped make Mithya more real, but it paved a way for both their careers in the Kannada film industry. "I have done two films now 'Dhruva' and 'Exam Fear' where the film revolves around my character. They will be released soon. My brother too is working on a film with 'Kantara' Kishore, in which he plays a full-fledged role, too," said Athish. A Class 10 student, Athish said although he keeps himself busy in school too he's also national-level kickboxer and state-level Chinese martial arts Wushu fighter acting is something he holds very dear. "It's a lot of hard work. During school breaks, I end up doing two shifts 6 am to 6 pm and 6 pm to 6 am to complete my commitments. But I truly do not mind. I want to be an actor, no matter what. And a character like Mithya at such an early age, I think, is a blessing," added Athish.
