The star-film-starved Kannada industry, which was going through a massive slump with audiences all but deserting its cinema, got a much-needed boost from actor-filmmaker Duniya Viay’s sophomore directorial Bheema, even though it was censored A and kept family audiences away. This was followed by Golden Star Ganesh’s Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi, which became a runaway hit primarily on the strength of its hit music, of which there was a lot.

Next in line was supposed to be Kiccha Sudeep’s Max, but after a failed release date announcement on Ganesha Chathurthi, there’s been radio silence from the team. Also with uncertainty about when to hit theatres is Real Star Upendra with his return to direction UI, with rumors suggesting that he was targeting a Deepavali outing, which is now out of the question because Sriimurali took it up.

Yash has just begun shooting for Toxic, which now looks unlikely as a 2025 release, Rishab Shetty is busy with Kantara: Chapter 1, which may be a 2025 film, while Rakshit Shetty has not yet frozen on the final version of the script of Richard Anthony.

So, what are the big Kannada films that audiences are left with in 2024?

Martin

Well, for starters there is Action Prince Dhruva Sarja’s much-delayed Martin. The film, directed by AP Arjun, was meant to be a 2022 release along with Kantara, and is now the big 2024 Dasara release. It will clash with Superstar Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan at the box office. Martin releases in theatres on October 11, 2024.

Bagheera

The next biggie from Sandalwood is Roaring Star Sriimurali’s Bagheera, the release date of which came out of the blue on September 11. KGF and Kantara makers Hombale Films’ next Kannada presentation, Bagheera will be in theatres on October 31, 2024, a date that UI was apparently toying with.

Bhairathi Ranagal

Two weeks later, Century Star Shivarajkumar’s second home production, Bhairathi Ranagal will be in theatres. This is the prequel to director Narthan’s Mufti, which had Sriimurali as an undercover cop, sent to dig up incriminating information about a crime lord called Bhairathi Ranagal (Shivarajkumar). The new film will explore how Ranagal went from being a law-enforcing lawyer to a law-breaking crime lord. Bhairathi Ranagal releases on November 15, pushed ahead from its earlier August 15 plan.

Two films were announced to be December releases – Dhruva Sarja’s KD and Darshan Thoogudeepa’s Devil. While KD is said to be in post-production and should be ready for release soon, the rumor is that it will be pushed to 2025. Devil, on the other hand, is currently stalled owing to Darshan’s legal issues.

Where does that leave Max and UI?

That leaves UI and Max to figure out when they will meet audiences. Sudeep has not had a release since 2022’s Vikrant Rona, and Upendra had not too successful acting gigs. His return to filmmaking has audiences keenly awaiting its release. Ahead of his birthday, Sudeep had keep fans hopes of an end of September release for Max alive, but that looks increasingly unlikely now. UI should be the year-ender big-ticket film from Sandalwood, sometime after Bhairathi Ranagal.

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