Kannada Films: From Regional Hits to Global Blockbusters |
In the past decade, regional cinema has experienced love from the entire country, heck, even globally. The movies, once considered only for television or online viewing, made audiences run to theatres to experience them on the larger screens. From Kiccha Sudeep’s screen presence and Yash’s swagger to Rishab Shetty’s mythological epic, Kannada films have dominated the box office. Let’s take a look at some.
‘KGF: Chapter 2′
Kannada’s biggest blockbuster ‘KGF: Chapter 2’, directed by Prashant Neel and starring Yash, became a monumental success not just for the actor but for Kannada cinema. Released after the COVID pandemic, when the OTT shift took place, the film went on to make more than Rs 1200 crore globally. The film shows Rocky’s rise and his conflict with the government and powerful enemies after he takes control of KGF. Additionally, the prequel ‘KGF: Chapter 1’ made over Rs 238 crore worldwide.
‘Kantara ’
Speaking of another big franchise, it is the world of ‘Kantara’ created by Rishab Shetty. Written, directed and starring in the lead role, Rishab Shetty rose to huge fame with his spiritual folklore, which is rooted in coastal Karnataka culture, featuring a strong use of Bhoota Kola, myth, and devotion. The first part made over Rs 407 crore worldwide. Meanwhile, the second part, released in October 2025, delves deep into the past, especially the origin story behind the mythological and ancestral conflict seen in the first film, making over Rs 852 crore globally.
‘Mahavatar Narsimha ’
In another 2024 blockbuster, the animated marvel, ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’ directed by Ashwin Kumar, tells the divine stories of Varaha and Narasimha. The movie received huge appreciation for bringing Hindu mythology into a large-scale animated format. During its cinematic run, the movie made over Rs 326 crore at the worldwide box office.
‘Vikrant Rona’
Kiccha Sudeep’s biggest film, ‘Vikrant Rona’ released in 2022, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark. Sudeep as Inspector Vikrant Rona was highly appreciated among the masses, his character arrives in a remote rainforest village where a series of strange events are believed to be supernatural.
‘Su From So’
The 2025 film ‘Su From So‘ is a horror comedy directed by J. P. Thuminad, involving horror and social satire elements. The film shows a young man in a village whose innocent crush and strange events lead people to believe he is possessed by a spirit named Sulochana. It went on to make a worldwide collection of Rs 122 crore.
‘777 Charlie’
Hitting the big screens in 2022, ‘777 Charlie’ is a heart-touching story where the protagonist Dharma, a lonely factory worker, has his life changed when he forms a deep bond with a stray Labrador named Charlie. The film went on to establish its name in the Rs 100 crore club, making over Rs 102 crore worldwide.
