Meet Sandalwood’s first and longest-running PR agency: Sri Raghavendra Chitravani

kannada

By Shashiprasad S M

Jan 21, 2024

Sri Raghavendra Chitravani, a PR firm has been in existence since 1976, catering to Sandalwood and other Indian film industries. Let’s trace its journey.

kannada

It was the late DV Sudhindra who started Sri Raghavendra Chitravani in 1976 through Kannada’s first-ever cinemascope film Sose Thanda Sowbhaagya (1977).

kannada

“My uncle Sudhindra was a cinephile who used to write about Kannada films while doing odd jobs to make a living.” reveals Venkatesh, who continued the legacy after his uncle passed away.

kannada

Before Sudhindra started as the first PRO in the Kannada film industry with Sose Thanda Sowbhaagya, there was no concept of film publicist.

kannada

“Back then, the journalists would often visit the production houses and get the photos printed along with the news,” explains Venkatesh.

kannada

Sunil, the son of Sudhindra, recalls that his father was a good writer, and taught them basic communication skills like how a PRO should conduct and engage with filmmakers and journalists.

kannada

“When my uncle passed away, many felt that Raghavendra Chitravani would no longer survive. However, we all took up the challenge and continued the good work,” he quips.

kannada

When the cinema PR house reached the milestone of 25 years in service, Sudhindra started the annual award event—Raghavendra Chitravani Award, for filmmakers and journalists.

kannada