The box office performance of 'Bagheera' on October 31 will be a crucial litmus test for Kannada cinema. Hombale Films has produced the big-ticket movie headlined by actor Sriimurali. The film stands a chance in Kannada for sure. In other languages, it will most probably sink without a trace. In Telugu, 'Lucky Baskhar' and 'KA' will crush it, most likely.
'UI', the Upendra-starring surrealistic action thriller, will hit the cinemas on December 20 this year. This big-budget film's success in non-Kannada languages will give impetus to more such pan-Indian movies here. Its failure will do the opposite.
Sandalwood filmmakers find the Telugu market attractive. They want to repeat the magic of the 'KGF' films and 'Kantara' in AP and Telangana. However, dubbed films from Kannada have mostly flopped big-time in recent years. 'Vikrant Rona' underperformed in Telugu. 'Charlie 777' should have become a clear-cut hit. The failure of 'Kabzaa' and the more recent 'Martin' in Telugu is a warning sign. As such, the Kannada industry is now watching how the fates of 'Bagheera' and 'UI' will pan out in Telugu.
