Team 'Kaatera' observed the 50-day celebrations of the film at the Prasanna Theatre, which turned 50 years old on 20 February.
Actor Darshan. (X)
Released in the final week of 2023, the Kannada film Kaatera starring Challenging Star Darshan continues its wondrous run in theatres. It completed 50 days at the box office.
Despite having recently hit the OTT space, Tharun Kishore Sudhir’s directorial is running to packed houses in Bengaluru’s Prasanna Theatre and several other single screens across Karnataka.
Located on Magadi Road in Bengaluru, the Prasanna Theatre completed 50 years of service since its inauguration in 1974.
Kaatera team marked the 50-day celebrations of the movie alongside the milestone of the Prasanna Theatre.
Set in the 1970s, Kaatera is based on a true incident and has been appreciated for its farmer-oriented subject. Rockline Venkatesh is the producer.
Recently, Kannada film producer Umapathy Srinivas Gowda, who bankrolled Darshan’s Roberrt (2021) — also directed by Tharun Kishore, claimed that he commissioned the writing of Kaatera, including the film’s title.
Team ‘Kaatera’ observed the 50-day celebrations in the Prasanna Theatre, which turned 50 years old on 20 February. (Supplied)
“I got the story of Kaatera written. I even gave the title to it. Though I couldn’t produce the film, I am happy that it turned out to be a huge success. It proves my sense for choosing good content,” Umapathy added.
However, Darshan took a dig at Umapathy for his claims over Kaatera.
At the 50-day celebrations of Kaatera, the actor pointed out, “I have been busy for a while and I need to clarify a few things about Kaatera. Someone (Umapathy) has claimed that he got the story written for the film, including the title. In fact, I suggested the film’s title. I do not know why he (Umapathy) keeps meddling in such matters.”
Darshan even invited Madhagaja (2021) director S Mahesh Kumar and Tharun Sudhir to clear the air about the Kaatera film and its title.
Later, Darshan assured that his next Devil, directed by Prakash Veer, will hit the screens in October 2024.
“I have already told Prakash Veer that we will release Devil in October. We will have it released in Prasanna theatre, which is quite special to me.”
Recently, the first look of his next Devil along with the teaser has garnered a huge response from his fans.
A poster of the film ‘Kaatera’. (Supplied)
Darshan also revealed why they stalled Rajaveera Madakri Nayaka midway.
Though Rajaveera Madakari Nayaka, which depicts the life of King Madakari Nayaka—the last ruler of Chitradurga took off, it was eventually shelved.
Produced by Rockline Venkatesh, Rajendra Singh Babu was roped in as the director for the movie.
“We began the shoot of the film but I sensed that something was not going right. While doing a film based on historical and legendary personalities, one has to be doubly sure about the whole making process of the project. A few days later, I felt that we should drop the project and hence it was shelved,” Darshan elucidated.
Meanwhile, producer Rockline Venkatesh noted that making Rajaveera Madakari Nayaka was his lifetime dream. “We spent more than two years preparing for the film. Making it is still my dream and I intend to fulfil it in future,” he quipped.
About Kaatera box-office collections, he said he received four notices from the Income Tax department because of the media reports that the movie earned over ₹216 crore.
“To date, I only got IT notices. But with such reports, even the Enforcement Directorate has knocked on my doors. I have given the links to such reports along with the contacts of the ones who have written so. They will soon receive calls from the ED. I am very clear with my numbers, anyone can drop in at my office for correct numbers about Kaatera’s collection,” the producer added.
Tarun Sudhir shared that Kaatera and Prasanna Theatre share a similarity.
“The Prasanna Theatre came into operation in 1974 and our film is set in 1974. It’s a great occasion as our film completes 50 days in the theatres which has a great legacy for entertaining the audience for 50 nonstop years. All my directorial ventures, including Chowka (2017), Roberrt (2021) and Kaatera (2023) have been released in Prasanna, who went on to complete the 50-day run at the box office,” he added.
About the theatre, Darshan noted, “I remember when we couldn’t get any theatre in Kempegowda Road in Majestic as our main theatre for the release of Ambareesha (2014), we finally got it released in the Prasanna Theatre.”
“On several occasions, I have requested and even demanded with a friendly authority for my movie to be released in Prasanna theatres,” Darshan recalled.
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