KGF fever is touching the skies. With people flocking to the theatres to watch the second part of the franchise and people re-watching KGF-1 on Amazon Prime, the coverage and clout this Prashanth Neel directorial has given to the Kannada Movie Industry is insane. While the KGF movie franchise is the Bahubali to Kannada movie Industry aka Sandalwood, it’s undeniable that over the years there has been some real good films coming out of the Industry that deserves your attention. So Amidst KGF wave re-writing box office records, here are few Kannada language films that you should be watching and the OTT platforms they’re streaming on.
Kavaludaari (2019)
This Hemanth Rao directorial is a brilliant whodunnit neo-noir thriller film that deserves to be on your watchlist. When an excavation activity as a part of a road-widening projects lead to discovery of bones, two cops set out to solve the year old case. Even if you’re not a thriller-genre person, give this film a go. Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Gantumoote (2019)
Probably one of the most well written coming of age films in recent years, Gantumoote steps into the shoes of a school-girl as she undergoes through the trials and tribulations of her life, career, love and family as she grows into a woman. This Roopa Rao directorial makes you crave for more films on women, written by women. The female gaze is evident and straight from the heart. Carry a bunch of tissues just in case. Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021)
This Crime drama is unlike anything gangster you’ve seen in Indian cinema since Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur and Vetrimaaran’s Vada Chennai. The film follows childhood friends Shiva and Hari growing up to become two of the most feared gangsters in the coastal city of Mangaluru and how their friendship is put to the test by greed and politics. This Raj B Shetty directorial is a feast for the eyes. The visuals, score and blending of mythology..stunning. Streaming on Zee5.
Katheyondu Shuruvagide (2018)
Director Senna Hegde won over critics and plaudits with her Malayalam language film ‘Thinkalazhcha Nischayam’. This is her debut Kannada film and a romantic drama at that. The story follows the love-story of Tarun, a resort owner, faces severe losses in his business venture and struggles to keep his resort intact and Tanya, who enters the resort as a guest. Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Nathicharami (2018)
This Sruthi Hariharan starrer is a multiple National Award winner with Sruthi herself winning a special Mention for her impeccable performance.The film follows a widow as she struggles with the dilemma of her own physical and emotional needs, and her desire to remain faithful to the memory of her dead husband. Besides being well enacted, the film has a very nuanced writing tackling many of the societal taboos around widows in India. Streaming on Netflix India.
Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014)
Written, directed and starred by the very talented Rakshit Shetty, Ullidavaru Kadanthe is a neo-noir anthology film that handles a murder case in the very popular Rashomon-esque format, i.e. deducing the culprit from different point of views of people involved in a crime. One of those films that kick-started a new wave in Kannada cinema, this film should go straight to your watchlist. Streaming on Jio Cinema/YouTube.
Kirik Party (2016)
Starring Rakshit Shetty and sensational Pushpa fame Rashmika Mandanna, Kirik Party is one for your college nostalgia stricken heart. A critically acclaimed bonafide blockbuster for all right reasons, the film will take you back to your college days and also have you fall in love with Rashmika. Streaming on Voot.
U Turn (2016)
A supernatural thriller fronted by Shraddha Srinath (Jersey fame), U-Turn revolves around the death of motorists who break traffic rules at a flyover in Bangalore and subsequently an intern journalist and police Inspector duo rounding down on the culprit. Streaming on Netflix India.
There are few other recommendations like Mookkajjiya Kanasugalu, Naanu Avanalla Avalu, Thithi, etc..but unfortunately most of them are not available to stream anywhere in India right now. We hope KGF mania would lead to OTT platforms focussing more on Kannada Cinema henceforth and acquiring more of these off-beat and well written Kannada films.
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