The book published by Oxford University Press is the third seminal work by Raghavendra. It provides a first comprehensive enquirty into the origin and growth of regional language cinema in India.

Focusing on the role regional language cinema plays, the book, says Raghavendra examines the conflict between the ‘region’ and the ‘nation’ while tracing the shape of Kannada cinema and the impact of various regional and national developments on the medium.

The book also provides first assessment of thespian Rajkumar as a regional icon.