The Day Kannada Cinema Roared — A Letter to Yash Sir

Dear Yash Sir, first and foremost, I want to say a big thank you. I am not sure if this website will ever reach you, or whether you will read this particular message, but if, by any chance, you do, I would be the happiest person on this earth.

Thank you, Yash Sir, for making our industry proud.

I have been a movie lover since childhood. I used to plead with my dad to take me to the theatre, and those experiences shaped a part of who I am. Born in 1988, the ’90s era was something I lived through with all my heart. Some of the movies I vividly remember watching on the big screen are: Janumada Jodi, Halunda Tavaru, Om, Kaadhalan, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Ishq, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, And many more…

However, things changed a bit when I moved to Mumbai (2004–2006). That’s when I started realizing how underrepresented Kannada films were. I would see Kannada movies in Mumbai theatres for only a few days before they got replaced. When I’d tell my friends, “This is from Karnataka,” they would mock me, saying:

“Itne bade bade mooche wale actors hote hain kya?”

Back then, North Indians only recognized legends like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.

I would proudly speak of our icons like Dr. Rajkumar and Shankar Nag, but many didn’t even know who they were. I would argue back, “Have you seen Malgudi Days? That’s Shankar Nag’s brilliance. The kids, and most of the actors in that series, were from Karnataka!”

But they wouldn’t believe me. Because it was shot simultaneously in Hindi and Kannada, and later dubbed into other regional languages, it felt like the story was based in their village. That’s the brilliance of Shankar Nag sir — so rooted, yet universally appealing.

I still wonder, what would our industry have been like if Shankar Nag sir were still with us? The sky would have been the limit..!!

During my degree college days in Mangalore, I bunked classes to watch movies. I explored films from Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industries. My Malayali friends often praised their films and their storytelling. I would passionately counter them:

“Have you seen Upendra or A? They were ahead of their time!”

I couldn’t bear to let anyone look down upon Kannada cinema.

While every other industry had its nationwide hits, KFI hadn’t had that one film celebrated across India.

Then came 2018 — The Beginning of a Golden Era

Yash Sir, with your vision and relentless passion, backed by the brilliant director Prashanth Neel Sir and the powerhouse that is Hombale Films, gave us something historic. The clarity, the intent, the execution — everything was perfect. For the first time, our industry received the respect it truly deserved.

You didn’t rush to sign another film after KGF’s massive success. Instead, you waited. You chose Geetu Mohandas’s script, proving how selective and mindful you are now. And then came the surprise: You will be playing Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. What more can we ask for?

You are not just making Kannada cinema shine, you are putting it on the global map.

Thank you, thank you so much, Yash Sir. This website is just a tribute to you. I am excited for every move you make. Let’s together make this industry a special place and take Indian cinema to the world stage with pride.

The Cultural Shift

From “Itne bade bade mooche waale actors hote hain kya?” to “Badi daadi aur mooch waale toh sexy lagte hain, bhai..!”

Now, the whole of India is copying your style.

From running just a few days in Mumbai theaters to completing 50+ days in Mumbai and other parts of North India — this is pure cinema for me.

I have always loved the story of the underdog. Because when he wins, it feels like our victory.

I know you can relate to my words. That, for me personally — and for every hardcore KFI fan — is a true victory.

With love,

A proud Kannadiga and movie lover Santhosh H N.