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Kannada hits of 2011

2011: Success rate of Kannada films increased

Dec 29, 2011 IANS The biggies Darshan's 'Saarathi' and Punith Rajkumar starrers 'Hudugaru' and 'Paramathma' set the cash registers ringing. The success of medium budget films also took the success percentage up to 10 this year from the average of eight to nine in the past few years.

As many as 122 films were released and about 13 did well and the producers recovered their investment through advance sales. Saarathi Darshan starrer 'Saarathi', directed by his brother Dinakar Toogudeepa, was the blockbuster of the year. The theatrical collections of the film have already crossed Rs.15 crore mark and trade analysts are expecting it to reach Rs.20 crore by earning revenues from the sales of satellite and audio rights.

Made for Rs.7 crore, the film has broken records of previous Darshan films. 'Saarathi' also marks the debut of K.V. Sathya Prakash as a producer.

"Many industry veterans advised me not to release the film when the film's hero Darshan was in jail. I sought Darshan's advice and he said that the film can be released and I won't be put into a difficult spot. The audiences liked the film. I thank Darshan and his brother Dinakar Toogudeepa for delivering such a good product for me," he said.

Other hits

Saarathi's success was followed by other big grosser like Puneet Rajkumar starrers 'Hudugaru' and Paramathma'; Sudeep's Kempe Gowda' and Only Vishnuvardhana; and Vijay's Johny Mera Naam.

The year was particularly good for Sudeep whose two films received lot of appreciation. On the other and Vijay churned out three damp squibs - 'Kanteerava', 'Jarasandha' and 'Veera Bahu'. Even Ganesh delivered two flops in 'Maduve Mane' and 'Eno Onthara'.

Real Star Upendra, who had a rollicking time last year with blockbuster 'Super', had only one release this year - Srimati, which turned turtle at the ticket window.

Among the heroines it was Ramya who stole the show with two super hits - Johny Mera Naam and Sanju Weds Geetha.

Radhika Pandit delivered one hit in Hudugaru, while debutant Deepa Sannidhi had two hits in Saarathi and Paramathma.

Raagini was appreciated for her performances in Kempe Gowdaand Kalla Malla Sulla.

Ganesh's release Shyloo did well.

Low budget successes

The success percentage was evenly shared between big budget-star-studded movies and medium budget films made with known artists of lesser charismatic appeal.

"Even some non star cast medium and low budget films like 'Bhadra', Sanju Weds Geetha', 90', Kirataka, and Lifeu Ishtene earned profits through revenues from theatrical collections and satellite rights," said Kumar.

Flops

The year's biggest disappointment has been Shivaraj Kumar's 100th film Jogayya directed by Prem; Ganesh's directorial venture Kool; Vijay's Jarasandha; Upendra's Srimathi, in which he acted with his wife Priyanka and Bollywood actress Celina Jaitley; Chiranjeevi starrer Dandam Dashagunam; and Yogi's home production Yaksha.

At the same time 'Olave Mandara' ran for 100 days in theatres, but couldn't recover its cost because of the huge production outlay.

Kannada hits of 2012

DeccanChronicle

Pooja Gandhi: Dandupalya (2012)

Sandalwood's top ten hits of 2012, in the alphabetical order.

Addhuri:

Addhuri saw the debut of Dhruv Sarja, nephew of Arjun Sarja. The film had Radhika Pandith starring opposite him and was a surprise hit. It got a good opening and sustained the audience’s interest for quite long. The film had a successful 50-day run and made good money for both, its producer and distributors. Dhruv Sarja, who shows a lot of energy in action and dancing, seems to have arrived.

Anna Bond:

Directed by Duniya Soori and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, Anna Bond starring Puneeth, Nidhi Subbaiah and Priyamani, opened to full houses because of Puneeth’s loyal fan following. Despite getting mixed reviews from the press, the film went on to become a commercial success.

Chingari:

Chingari was a typical Darshan film, with liberal doses of action and romance. The film was lapped up by Darshan’s loyal fan circle and he laughed all the way to the bank. It completed a successful 100 day run at the box office. The film’s collection records were broken only by Darshan’s next which was Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.

Dandupalya:

Based on the notorious “Dandupalya gang” of robbers and murderers, the film opened to positive critical reviews. Realistic performances by the ensemble star cast of Ravi Kale, Makarand Deshpande and Ravishankar were applauded. Pooja Gandhi went topless for a particular scene and created quite a stir. The film went on to be a commercially successful venture for the producers and Srinivas Raju

Drama:

After average fares like Paramathma and Pancharangi, director Yograj Bhat came up with Drama, a huge year-end hit. Starring Yash, Radhika Pandith and Neenasam Sathish in the lead, the film hit bulls-eye with the younger audience. Catchy one-liners and peppy music supported by some good acting by Yash and Sathish contributed to making the film a hit. The song, “Thundhaikal saavasa…” is quite a rage amongst the

Govindaya Namaha:

Directed by debutant director Pawan Wodeyar, Govindaya Namaha was successful in bringing the audience to the theaters, all thanks to comedian Komal and his antics. “Pyarge agbittaithe…,” the song with the Urdu slang caught on like wildfire and garnered a huge number of hits on YouTube.

Kalpana:

A remake of the Tamil-Telugu hit Kanchana, Kalpana was a money spinner from the Uppi stable. His histrionics as a man possessed by the ghost of a transgender was much appreciated. Dialogue king Sai Kumar also turned in a powerful performance. The film is considered one of the top hits of Sandalwood this year.

Katari Veera Surasundarangi:

Katari Veera Surasundarangi is one of the first Kannada films to be made in 3D. Starring Upendra, Ramya and Ambareesh in the lead, the film opened to packed houses. It is partly a sequel to the hugely successful Uppi film, Rakta Kanneeru. The film ran into trouble with some Kannada groups for its portrayal of great Kannada poets in a bad light. But the film, nevertheless, was hugely

Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna:

Producer Anand Appugol’s magnum opus Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna starring Darshan in the lead, raked in the moolah this year. People were skeptical about Darshan being accepted back after the domestic violence case slapped by his wife. But he proved his detractors wrong and made a strong comeback and that too with Nikitha Thukral. The film supposedly grossed a whopping 20 (CRORE?)

Rambo

Sharan, brother of actress Shruthi, known for his comic roles, starred in the comedy-thriller Rambo. It was the actor’s 100th film and one of the first in which he had the lead role. Sharan managed to get a thumb up from his audience and the film had a successful stint at the box office.