Word of mouth turns kids’ film into big hit

Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale Kasaragodu, released on August 23, has turned out to be a maverick hit, beating the screening record of blockbusters such as Kabali and Bahubali at some centres.

More and more people are watching the film, set on the Karnataka-Kerala border, thanks to word of mouth. The number of shows have gone up dramatically since the first week. Released only in 75 theatres, the film is now running in 180.

In Mangaluru, 21 shows were scheduled after the release on the first weekend on Saturday alone, breaking the record for the highest number of daily shows for any Kannada film.

Chinne Gowda, president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, is happy with the success and says the film, directed by Rishab Shetty, is doing exceptionally well at the multiplexes.

“It is becoming bigger by the day; it is extraordinary,” he said. He compares the film, directed by Rishab Shetty, to Rajkumar’s Bangarada Manushya and Ravichandran’s Premaloka, both of which began on a slow note, picked up pace, and then became runaway hits.

He praised the actors, especially Anant Nag, for their performances. “The content is what attracts people. As long as movies are good, there will be people to watch them,” he says.

Director’s take

The man behind the film, Rishab Shetty, says he never expected it to be such a big hit. “What I was sure of was that the film wouldn’t bore the audience,” he told Metrolife.
SHPSK is the first movie in Mangaluru to get 38 screens, the highest for any movie, including Baahubali and Kabali, he says. “It makes the audience nostalgic, taking them back to their childhood,” he says. The film talks about the struggles of an average boy, even as it tells the story of a government school on the verge of closure. Now basking in success, the team plans to showcase SHPSK at film festivals.

Coastal flavour

Rangitaranga, Ondu Motteya Kathe and now Sarkari Hiriya Pratamika Shale Kasaragodu, all made by talented directors from the Karnataka coast, are bringing audiences back in big numbers to Kannada cinema. The latest hit is a take on the life of people living on the border of Karnataka and Kerala. It features Anant Nag, Ranjan, Pramod Shetty, Saptha Pavoor and Sampath in lead roles.