In a cinematic landscape where juggernauts with colossal budgets and household names dominate the silver screen, a little film with a modest budget and a troupe of theatre actors has defied all expectations. The film industry today faces stiff competition not just from its peers, but also from the torrent of content streaming onto the myriad of digital platforms available to viewers. Yet, amidst this fierce battle for eyeballs, every so often, a movie like “Raja Yoga” emerges, stealing the spotlight and the hearts of audiences, achieving the accolade of a blockbuster without the usual trappings of star power or marketing might.
At the helm of this unexpected hit is Lingaraj Uchangidurga,, a filmmaker whose journey took him from a quaint village in North Karnataka, also named Uchangidurga, to the bustling city of Bengaluru over a decade ago. With aspirations to join the television and film industry, Lingaraj cut his teeth as an assistant director on several television serials, including “Silly Lalli” when he first stepped into the industry in 2006, as well as other shows like “Maina,” “Ee Bandhana,” “Shirdi Saibaba,” and “Aavarna” on Doordarshan.
Lingaraj’s transition from assistant to director culminated with “Raja Yoga,” a film that marks both his directorial debut and his foray into screenwriting. The film stars the well-regarded theatre and film actor Kadur Dharmanna, whose work in “Rama Rama Re” has been met with acclaim. Reflecting on his creation, an exuberant Lingaraj shared, during a drive back from his hometown, his experience of crafting “Raja Yoga.” The film unravels the tale of a man hailing from a village whose life is steeped in beliefs surrounding astrology—a subject the director admits he knew little about. Despite his lack of expertise in astrology, Lingaraj endeavored to pen a narrative that balanced comedy with introspection, aiming to weave together commercial appeal, humor, and a meaningful message.
The film delves into the stark contrasts of rural and urban life, particularly highlighting the struggles that young men face when they migrate to cities and later find it challenging to reintegrate into the simpler, belief-driven lifestyle of their native village. The culture shock and shift in values become evident and are the focal point through which “Raja Yoga” explores the protagonist’s life. The main character, born under what is considered an ‘inauspicious’ star, confronts the intentions of his parents and an astrologer who try to ‘correct’ his destiny, pitting his disbelief in astrology against his faith in education and hard work.
Lingaraj, who spent around six to seven months sculpting the script, experienced delays in the film’s release due to the pandemic, taking nearly four years to reach audiences. The production was led by Kumar Kanteerava, known for “Kannad Gottila,” and included an assembly of four additional co-producers brought together by Dharmanna, who was an early addition to the project.
Celebrating a remarkable 50-day run on January 6—still being screened in a theatre in Kadur—Lingaraj humbly reflects on the success amid today’s competitive entertainment landscape, marked by the omnipresence of OTT platforms and TV channels. He candidly shares the fears that gripped him just before the release, particularly the worry that the effort invested by the team, and especially by the producer, would be met with an unsatisfactory run, given how common it is for films to vanish from theatres within days.
Now, with the film set to be aired on television and his next directorial venture soon to launch, which promises to be a comedy with the same collaborative spirit as “Raja Yoga,” Lingaraj stands as a testament to the power of storytelling. Regardless of budget constraints or a lack of marquee names, a film that resonates with audiences, captivating them with its narrative, can still emerge triumphant, carving out its place in cinema’s ever-evolving story.
