The journey through 2023 for Kannada film superstar Darshan was nothing short of cinematic, marked by a striking reversal of fortunes. As the year commenced, Darshan found himself in an unenviable position, featuring in “Kranti,” a film that, despite its grand scale, couldn’t make a mark and was criticized for its uninspired and formulaic approach. However, by the end of the year, the tables had turned favorably with the actor delivering an exhilarating performance in the socially-charged drama “Kaatera,” a film that not only thrilled his dedicated fanbase but also managed to impress critics and neutral audiences alike for its divergent portrayal of Darshan.
Released to packed theaters on the last Friday of 2023, “Kaatera” swiftly climbed the ladder of success and demonstrably declared the emergence of Tharun Sudhir, the film’s director, as a new force in quality commercial filmmaking within the Kannada film industry. Tharun, whose earlier movie “Roberrt” with Darshan was a huge hit, reinforced his position as a director with the golden touch in crafting blockbusters.
The Darshan-Tharun combination is now touted to be an exciting new formula in Sandalwood, with Darshan favoring Tharun’s creative instincts and the latter offering the star roles that exploit his acting prowess to the fullest. Tharun opened up about this synergy, “Darshan sir has always been phenomenal in action sequences and carries all the qualities of a ‘mass’ hero. However, I observed a gap in how his acting abilities were being utilized of late.”
Reminiscing about their previous collaboration, Tharun shared, “In ‘Roberrt,’ despite the jitters of working with a megastar, I introduced scenes that would unravel the actor within him. The audience resonated deeply with his portrayal of a man grappling with stammering problems, and the heartfelt connection he forged with the child co-star. The outpouring of praise fueled my resolve to craft a script like ‘Kaatera,’ pivoting around meaningful content and Darshan’s finesse in acting.”
“Kaatera,” with its compelling content and robust performances, has raced past the 100-crore-mark at the box office and remains unfazed in its triumph, reminiscent of Darshan’s evergreen hits like “Sarathi” and “Krantiveera Sangoli Rayanna.” Even in its third week, the film continues to enjoy full houses in Karnataka, celebrating the revitalization of movie halls in both cities and villages, with people flocking to theaters via tractors and bullock carts.
“The loyalty of Darshan sir’s fans is unyielding, even through his troughs, and now, cinema-goers in general find ‘Kaatera’ deeply engaging,” analyses Tharun.
Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, “Kaatera” weaves a tale themed around land reforms and caste discrimination while maintaining a seamless balance between its socio-political message and elements of entertainment. Tharun emphasized that the intention was to craft an intense yet relatable narrative, “We consciously toned down the melodrama and limited it to just three action sequences, letting the drama and the dialogues penned by Maasthi Upparahalli resonate with authenticity.”
The success of “Kaatera” also throws light on the invaluable contribution of co-writer Jadesh K Hampi. Tharun extends gratitude to Jadesh for his dedication: “His time and creativity immensely contributed to our tight script. His role as a writer, although a filmmaker himself, underlines the need for Kannada cinema to recognize and remunerate such talent, ensuring they continue to enrich our industry. Writers play a pivotal role in assisting directors to better plan and focus on their directorial chores.”
In the wake of the film’s success, Tharun reflects on the timeless appeal of old-school commercial movie-making, emphasizing upon directing such narratives with a modern sensibility. He affirms, “The adage ‘old is gold’ holds true in cinema, as it does elsewhere. Our storytelling roots, the fundamental essence of traditional commercial cinema, cannot be ignored. It’s indeed a testament to their enduring power.”
As curtains draw on “Kaatera’s” stellar run, it stands as a beacon for the kind of cinema that respects its roots while bravely charting new territories, much like its leading man Darshan, who continues to redefine the narrative of his illustrious career with each passing milestone.
