The eight-decade-old Kannada film industry has created a record of sorts in 2016 with the release of 180 films. With this, it has shrugged off its tag of being a small industry compared with Tamil and Telugu film industries.
As many as 136 films had been released in 2015.
According to sources in the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), the annual turnover, which was in the range of ₹250 crore to ₹300 crore till last year, crossed ₹400 crore this year. “If the trend continues, the number of releases is likely to cross 200 in 2017, as 400 titles have already been registered so far,” says Umesh Banakar, vice-president of KFCC.
In fact, the number of actual releases in Tamil and Telugu will be less compared to Kannada films. Their projection includes dubbed films from other languages unlike Kannada.
Mismatch
However, there is a total mismatch between releases and success of films at the box office in the Kannada film industry. Success rate stands at a maximum 10 per cent, which means only 18 of the total films released have recovered their investment.
But, there is nothing unusual about the success rate. It is a regular phenomenon in the Indian film industry and usually swings between 7 per cent and 10 per cent.
Similar is the opinion of Jayanna, one of the biggest producers and distributors in the industry. “It is a fact that investment has crossed ₹400 crore during the year, but revenue is not even half of the investment. Only 5 per cent of the films will recover the cost and another 5 per cent make profit,” he said.
Problem of plenty
Meanwhile, quality films has suffered because of glut as there are not enough screens to host this volume. While Shivalinga starring Shivarajkumar is claimed to be the only film that completed 100 days in theatre, over 10 films such as Kotigobba-2 starring Kichcha Sudeep, Dodmane Huduga starring Punit Rajkumar, and Neer Dose starring Jaggesh screened 50 days.
The number of films that completed 25 days in theatre was around 25.
Busting the myth
It is important to note that U-Turn, Godi Banna Sadharana Maikattu, Thithi,Karva and Rama Rama Re by talented young directors broke the myth that only a stellar star cast can catapult a film to success.
