Kannada stars set to make a comeback in 2024 with pan-Indian films

Several Kannada star actors who were missing in action in 2023 are all set to make a huge comeback with multiple Pan-India projects in 2024.

ByShashiprasad S M

Published Jan 01, 2024 | 6:41 PM ⚊UpdatedJan 01, 2024 | 7:25 PM

Pan India films from Kannada film industry in 2024

Pan-India films from Kannada industry in 2024. (Supplied)

Following the huge success of back-to-back Pan-India Kannada hits in 2022, including KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) and then Kantara (2022), the year that followed was relatively quiet.

The Kannada film industry failed to repeat the box-office collection but for some critically appreciated films and a couple of super hits.

Only Challenging star Darshan’s Kaatera, released in the final week of 2023, started making some impact at the box office.

So far, Kaatera has collected over ₹50 crore within three days after its release. It is a record in itself for any non-pan-Indian Kannada film.

Also, the previous year witnessed only a couple of the most expected pan-India Kannada movies, including Kabzaa and Ghost. While Kabzaa utterly failed at the box office, Ghost did average business when the pan-India scenario is concerned.

Rakshit Shetty’s Sapta Sagaradaache Ello—Side A and Side B was appreciated in South India, and so is Raj B Shetty’s Toby.

So, what is in store for Sandalwood in 2024?

Well, Kannada star actors who were missing in action are set to make a comeback with multiple much-awaited ventures.

Also, pan-India stars are set to make a huge comeback with a handful of big-budget movies to recreate the magic in the coming months.

Here is a list of Kannada films, especially big-budget and star-studded ventures that are most likely to be released in 2024, with huge expectations riding on them.

UI

Call him versatile or multi-talented, Real Star Upendra is a creative filmmaker of a kind.

Uppi — as he is fondly referred to by his diehard fans — is making his directorial comeback after eight years. His previous directorial venture Uppi 2 was released in 2015.

Ever since he announced his next directorial — UI, the project kept his followers on the tenterhooks over the updates and release plans.

Upendra did it again when he recently released the teaser of UI, in which he gave nothing away with a blank screen and only audio of different sounds running in the background.

Finally, a female voice is heard at the end wherein she says that this is not AI (artificial intelligence) but UI, which means Use your Intelligence. The filmmaker has left his audience to use their imagination!

The teaser clocked several million views despite not a single visual glimpse but a dark screen!

The film is touted for its technical prowess, including a sequence shot using virtual reality technology. The makers have also used Industrial Light & Magic’s creation technology for this project.

The film is scheduled to be released in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.

Max

Apart from a cameo appearance in Kabzaa, Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep remained missing in action on the silver screen.

However, he was quite busy on the small screen hosting the tenth season of Kannada Bigg Boss and shooting for his upcoming pan-India film titled Max.

He also runs the Karnataka Chalanachitra Cup, the Kannada celebrity cricket league.

Directed by Vijay Kartikeya, Max will be released in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.

In the Max teaser released on the occasion of the actor’s birthday, Sudeep embodies a sinister character named the Demon, stepping away from traditional hero roles.

The teaser effectively establishes an atmosphere for an action-packed film, ensuring a compelling storyline and powerful performances.


Kantara: The Legend Chapter 1

Following the humongous pan-India success of Kantara, Rishab Shetty is back with its prequel titled Kantara Chapter 1 with the tagline “A Legend”. One of the much-awaited films, the first glimpse of the film released on 27 November, has several interesting facts being revealed by the makers.

The film will be released in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and English.

The sequel, released in 2022, brilliantly dealt with the human versus Nature conflict.

More than 25k aspirants are believed to have applied for the auditions.


Martin and KD

Action Prince Dhruva Sarja was last seen in Pogaru (2021), which featured actor Rashmika Mandanna in the lead.

N0w, he is busy with his pan-India venture Martin directed by AP Arjun.

Though the teaser was released in February 2023, the team had been pushing the release dates. It will be released in 2024 in multiple South Indian languages and Hindi.

That apart, Dhruva Sarja’s other most ambitious project KD-The Devil directed by Jogi is also on the cards for release in 2024. The film marks the comeback of actor Shilpa Shetty in Kannada.

KD will feature Dhruva Sarja, Crazy star V Ravichandran, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, Reeshma Nanaiah and Shilpa Shetty.


Shiva Rajkumar and his films

Post the success of Vedha (2022), Dr Shiva Rajkumar is making Bhairathi Ranagal under his banner Geetha Pictures.

It is a prequel to the hit Kannada film Mufti (2017). Bhairathi Ranagal is based on the character portrayed by Shiva Rajkumar in Mufti directed by Narthan. It is most likely to be released in multiple languages.

Earlier, he acted in Karataka Dhamanaka, directed by Yogaraj Bhat, which marks the comeback of dancing sensation Prabhudeva.

Meanwhile, he is also shooting for 45, which marks the directorial debut of composer Arjun Janya, wherein he will be seen sharing the screen with Upendra and Raj B Shetty.

That apart, he planned to launch two more projects under his home banner Geetha Pictures.

His latest venture, tentatively announced, is under the direction of Dinakar Thigoodepa, the younger brother of Darshan. Of the slew of projects involving Dr Shiva Rajkumar, one can only guess which is hitting the screens first and which ones will follow the next.


Bagheera

Roaring Star of the Kannada film industry, Srii Murali has been missing in action since 2021 after Madhagaja hit the screen.

The Ugramm (2014) actor will make a comeback with Bagheera, produced by Hombale Films.

Rukhmini Vasanth will be seen in this for which KGF and Salaar director Prashanth Neel has penned the story.


Yuva

Yuva Rajkumar, grandson of Kannada thespian Dr Rajkumar is making his acting debut with Yuva. Made under the Hombale Films banner, Yuva is directed by Santhosh Ananddram, who has delivered several hits for the banner, including Rajakumara and Yuvarathnaa.

Initially, the film was scheduled for release in December 2023 but was pushed to 28 March 2024 due to Salaar.

Actor Sapthami Gowda of Kantara fame will be seen in this one.

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