In the first three months of 2025, 70-odd Kannada films released in theatres, most of which were complete washouts and did not ring any bells for audiences. A majority of these films did not even bother with basic promotions to let people know that they’d be in theatres at a given point in time. Amid this deluge of Kannada films, a handful, like Choo Mantar, Nodidavaru Enantare, Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javaadbdaararu, etc., hooked critics and won some love from audiences, but the overwhelming truth remains that Sandalwood has been in a dire slump, much like the beginning of 2024, a streak that was broken only in August when Duniya Vijay’s sophomore directorial after the successful Salaga, Bheema came out .

In the current landscape, filmmaker Hemanth M Rao is poised to unveil his latest project, Agnyathavasi, which marks his inaugural release under the newly rebranded Dakshayini Talkies. He has strategically held onto the film, awaiting favorable market conditions, which allowed him to secure the post-theatrical rights for Agnyathavasi prior to its cinema debut. Zee Network has acquired the film for both television and OTT platforms, and a simultaneous release is anticipated, similar to their approach with Kiccha Sudeep’s Max and Venkatesh’s Sankrantiki Vasthunam.

Hemanth is confident that compelling content will attract audiences to theaters, and he believes that Agnyathavasi, directed by Janardan Chikkanna of Gultoo fame, possesses that appeal. He also understands the audience's reluctance to engage with many films released this year.

Hemanth M Rao not surprised that people are not coming to theatres

“YouMany viewers may not feel inclined to watch these films merely based on their posters, teasers, trailers, or titles. Even if these films were offered for free in the comfort of their homes, audiences might still choose to avoid them. It is not surprising that attendance in theaters for these films has been low. According to Hemanth, speaking to GaS Filmy Cult, "The content and marketing of a film should adequately reflect the value of the time and effort that audiences invest in attending theaters."

Agnyathavasi is a murder mystery set in a charming village in Malnad during the late 1990s, where crime was so infrequent that local police were ill-prepared to handle serious investigations. The story revolves around how a police officer, portrayed by Rangayana Raghu of Cyanide fame, unravels the mystery following the discovery of a murder in this otherwise peaceful community.

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