With the newcomers facing disaster in the last six months the Kannada film industry recorded 20 percent success from 50 films released. Darshan is the successful hero of the first six months of 2008. Two of his films 'Gaja and Indra' have done wonderful business in the box office. Both are remake films. He is 'Gajendra' of Kannada cinema!
Golden star Ganesh 'Gaalipata' was good and 'Aramane' did not burn the fingers of producer K.Manju. Puneeth Rajakumar's 'Bindhaas' once again clicked but it was not stupendous like his last film 'Milana'. Sudeep's 'Mussanje Mathu' is average while another film 'Ghooli' reached the break even for producer Ramu. The surprise hits of the first half of year are 'Mr Garagasa' (Komalkumar) and 'Nanda Nanditha' (Yogish). Shivarajakumar's 'Satya In Love' was fair and it did not pushed the debutant producer Ramesh to the back seat.
The over all investment of eight films succeeded in the box office was around Rs.25 crores and it earned nearly Rs.60 crores. While the rest of 40 plus films investment was Rs.60 crores and it bombed in the box office is a tragic tale. In the last six months 70 Kannada films went on the floors is another interesting factor. The debacles have not disturbed the newcomers it seems.
There are some pretty new faces with Kannada origin. Pragna from 'Baaba', Aishwarya Nag from 'Neene Neene', Sonu from 'Inthi Ninna Preethiya', Haripriya from 'Manasugala Mathu Madhura', Ashwini from 'Varasdhara', Nanditha from 'Nanda Nanditha' and Bhavana Rao from 'Gaalipata' proved their ability and got good offers too with an exception to Bhavana Rao. The heroines from other states ' Hansika Motwani, Mamatha Mohan Das, Genelia, Navya Nayar, Sunaina, Gayathri, Poonam Kaur, Roma also appeared in one Kannada film each.
Among boys Yashas of 'Yuga Yugale Sagali', Sandeep of 'Varasdhara' proved to be potential although their films failed.
There are four promising director who succeeded too in the box office. Madesh from 'Gaja', Mahesh from 'Mussanje Mathu', Nagshekar from 'Aramane' and Ragav Loki from 'Satya in Love' showed promises.
The films that faced debacle are:- Current, Kusuma, Hogi Baa Magale, Shivani, Manasugala Mathu Madhura, Varasdhara, Accident, Happy New Year, Chilipili Hakkigalu, Gange Bare Thunge Baare, Gnanajyothi Siddaganga, Thaayi, Baaba, Prachanda Ravana, Sundari Ganda Sadananda, Athmeeya, Neene Neene, Challatadha Hudugaru, Akasha Gange, Dharode, Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku, Honganasu, Singapuradalli Shambulinga, Navashakthi Vaibhava, Beladingaalagi Baa, Rahasya, Avva, Hani Hani, Yuga Yugale Sagali, Inthi Ninna Preethiya, Marujanma, Bandhu Balaga and Channa.
The results of three films released on 27th June ' Meravanige, Vasanthakala and Nee Tata Na Birla are yet to fall out.