The short film surge in Kannada: Young filmmakers are oozing promise with relatable stories

For the third consecutive year, the Kannada film industry is enduring a dull phase. Barring a few impressive attempts from newcomers (Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javabdararu, Nodidavaru Enantare, Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana), Sandalwood hasn't produced enough quality content to pull the audience to theatres.
Robbed of the big-screen experience, movie lovers have turned to YouTube to watch films, albeit in a shorter format. The biggest positive amidst the dry period is the consistent flow of interesting short films from aspiring filmmakers. These youngsters haven't compromised on the quality of their projects, ensuring the concept and production are on par with any mainstream feature film. To their advantage, the movies have been backed by Kannada stars, who have released the shorts on their official channels.
Jaishankar Aryar's festival hit Shivamma (2022) — a beautiful rural satire on a woman's rollercoaster journey in a multi-level marketing business — was produced by Rishab Shetty. Now, the youngster has received the backing of the Kantara actor-director for his short It Was Nice Meeting You.
Breakup cycle
The beautiful relationship drama, streaming on Rishab Shetty Films, has 4.5 lakh views so far. 'Prime Video released the Modern Love Mumbai and Modern Love Hyderabad in 2022. I directed this movie as my entry for a possible Modern Love Bengaluru series, but the OTT platform wasn't interested in Kannada content. So the film remained in the can for three years,' says Jaishankar.
ALSO READ:'Shivamma Yarehanchinala' movie review: A delightful take on the life of a spirited woman
Post the widespread acclaim for Shivamma, Jai Shankar revived his short with sound mixing and music. It Was Nice Meeting You, starring Jaishankar and Ashwitha Hegde, is a realistic take on a couple's break-up cycle. The short delves into the struggles of letting your loved one go.
'Some relationships don't work, and a separation is the best outcome for both individuals. I have tried to reflect the need for closure in relationships,' says Jaishankar, who is overwhelmed by the response to the short. 'People are calling it their story. Reels from my film have reached lakhs of people.'
Jaishankar has a script for a feature-length romance. 'We celebrate 96 (starring Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha) so much, but I feel Kannada needs to have its own poignant romantic dramas. Of course, there is Paramathma (2010), but we need to have more.'
Tryst with AI
The urge to experiment drew Abhay to direct Imagine, a 15-minute short on the dangers of AI. Streaming on PRK Audio, a YouTube channel helmed by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, producer, and wife of superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, the film has gained praise for its technical brilliance.
'My DOP, Rahul Roy, and I wanted to create something with the blazar anamorphic lens, which is perhaps the most affordable anamorphic lens. We wanted to shoot a film in two days. I wrote a two-page script, and we shot the movie in four hours,' reveals Abhay.
The short is a gripping one-night story of a youngster trying to break himself free from the control of AI. Apart from directing and starring in the film, Abhay has also written and edited Imagine. 'I explored my cinematic abilities with the movie,' says Abhay, who acted and executive-produced the 2024 dark comedy Family Drama.
ALSO READ:'Family Drama' movie review: This dark comedy comes into its own in a hilarious second half
Family Drama, with many hilarious stretches, is an interesting attempt despite its flaws. However, the film failed at the box office, and Imagine is sort of a redemption for Abhay. He is writing a feature film script and awaiting the release of his next, Valavaara, a movie about familial bonds and sibling rivalry.
Coming-of-age tale
Madhu Kalale worked in the direction team of the impressive crowd-funded college drama Daredevil Musthafa (2023), distributed by Dhananjaya. The actor has released Madhu's short, Summer Love, on his channel, Daali Pictures.
Madhu is a fan of love stories. 'Amruthavarshini (1997) is one of my favourites. I also like the Mani Ratnam kind of romantic dramas,' he says. Summer Love isn't a conventional love story involving the meet-cute moments of a young couple. The film is a boy's (played by a charming Aashith) coming-of-age tale as he struggles to express his feelings for his childhood friend.
'We show the story of a young boy, comfortable with his laidback lifestyle and hesitant to take responsibilities, getting a reality check,' says Madhu. The tone of the film is delightfully gentle, and the smooth conversations between the characters are the highlight.
Reflecting on the response (2.3 lakh views) to his short, Madhu says Summer Love has given him the confidence to film a feature. 'It has helped me understand the pulse of the audience. I co-write the script with Aashith. As a director, to bounce ideas off your lead actor was a unique experience.'
Of loneliness and problems of men
Rupesh SK, who directed and starred in the short Seniors, maintained the high production value of a feature film. The emotional drama deals with the theme of loneliness in old age. It also reflects the ignorance of modern men's issues in society.
The short is available on KRG Connects, the official channel of the popular banner KRG Studios. 'We shot a promotional song that depicted the challenges of making this film. It caught the attention of KRG Studios,' says Rupesh about his crowd-funded project. 'We shot the film in two and a half days, but the post-production happened in phases as we waited for funds.'
After several private screenings, which involved the presence of film industry members, Rupesh has managed to form a film community aimed at helping newcomers. An aspiring actor, Rupesh is relieved that his movie has generated conversations about men's problems and emotionally resonated with the elderly.
ALSO READ:Karthik Gowda: Kannada cinema lacking in consistency
The charming mini-series Colors on Rishab Shetty Films and the haunting short Chaaye, available on Raj B Shetty's Lighter Buddha YouTube channel, are other impressive short-form content in recent times. The Kannada short film community is buzzing more than ever before, and the committed and gifted young filmmakers have given hope to the industry.

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