Kannada cinema: Spate of suicides shows crisis runs too deep to ignore

According to sources in the film industry, financial stress and the inherent pressures of show business appear to be common factors in these tragic incidents. The repeated failure of films at the box office is said to be adversely affecting the mental well-being of many film professionals in recent times. Actor Shruthi, speaking on Guruprasad’s demise, noted: “Guruprasad’s recent film Ranganayaka, starring Jaggesh, failed miserably at the box office. With his profound knowledge, he should not have succumbed to financial burdens and despair.”

Guruprasad, who began his career as a poultry scientist, transitioned to filmmaking owing to his deep passion for cinema. Over his 18-year-long career, he was affectionately known as “Guru” in the film fraternity and directed only five films: Matha (2006), Eddelu Manjunatha (2009), Director’s Special (2013), Eradane Sala (2017), and Ranganayaka (2024).

Guru carved out his own genre

Regardless of his successes and failures, Guruprasad made a mark in the Kannada cinema industry with his debut film, Matha. His contributions, both as a director and actor, have left an indelible impression, says actor Dolly Dhananjaya, who is currently riding high on the success of his recent projects. “Guru Sir gave me my first opportunity (Director’s Special), for which I am forever grateful,” Dhananjaya told The Federal.

Also read: Kannada director Guruprasad found dead in Bengaluru flat; suicide suspected

According to Dhananjaya, “People in the Kannada film industry respected Guruprasad for his ability to make impactful films on modest budgets, proving that strong content and meaningful dialogues could still draw an audience. He was known for his clever wordplay and brought recognition to pun-filled dialogues,” he added.

However, film critics believe that Guruprasad struggled with handling success and saw himself as an avant-garde filmmaker. He often described himself as a “disappointed spectator, not a director.” A senior film critic, who preferred to remain anonymous, remarked, “When his films released, he made sure his cut-outs stood tall in front of theatres. Such was his attitude. He would compare himself to greats like Puttanna in Kannada cinema, but he wasn’t them — he was on his own ego trip. Ultimately, three successive failures and financial despair consumed him.” The critic expressed reluctance to speak ill of a filmmaker posthumously.

A similar tragedy struck Vinod Dhondale, a successful tele-serial director regarded as a major figure in the industry after T N Seetharam. Dhondale, who directed popular serials like Karimani, Mouna Raga, and Shantam Papam, was preparing to direct his film, Ashoka Blade. However, the 49-year-old director ended his life by hanging himself at his residence in Nagarabhavi last June. He left behind a note taking responsibility for his death, citing financial problems as the reason. “Apparently, he sold his house to fund the film but ran out of money before completing it. Unable to achieve his dream, he took the extreme step,” shared a crew member who worked closely with him.

Also read: Puja, rituals, and prayers: Kannada cinema calls on the Gods as box office numbers dip

The suicide of businessman and Kannada film producer Soundarya Jagadish in April was another blow to the industry. He was found dead at his home in Bengaluru, and it is understood that he was under severe financial stress. “Although he was a successful producer, he struggled to compete with the ‘corporate’ style of filmmaking that has become dominant in recent years. He couldn’t secure the finances needed for the big-budget, pan-Indian films now in demand. The frustration and disappointment likely drove him to this tragic end,” said a close friend of Jagadish.

Their inability to compete films

Pointing to the three suicides in just one year, a senior producer told The Federal: “The ongoing situation hints at the deteriorating health of 90-year-old Kannada cinema. The Kannada film industry has never faced a crisis like this. The successive failures of films at the box office, the apathy of OTT platforms towards Kannada cinema, and the closure of single-screen theatres are collectively threatening the very existence of films.” He cited the recent attempts by the Karnataka Chalanachitra Kalavidara Sangha to perform various rituals in hopes of alleviating the myriad problems faced by the industry. Actor-producer Rockline Venkatesh echoed these concerns, stating, “There is no balance between demand and supply, and there is a severe crisis, with only 10 out of 250 to 300 films each year performing well. When things spiral out of control, divine intervention seems to be the only hope.”

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Success rate is 2 percent

Film critic and writer Chetan Nadiger substantiates Venkatesh’s view with statistics: “Of the 230-plus films released in 2023, over 215 flopped at the box office. The situation is no better this year. Of the more than 200 films released so far, the success rate is only 2 percent. Over a hundred new directors and an equal number of ‘heroes’ and producers have entered Karnataka’s film scene, but very few have succeeded. Except for one or two notable films, most releases disappear from theatres by the second day. This is the current state of Kannada cinema,” he says.

Average success of Bagheera and Martin

Refuting the claim that Bagheera (directed by DR Suri and produced by Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Productions) was successful at the box office, a senior film journalist argued: “The film is a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Shahenshah (1988). Though no one dares to say it outright, the box office collections are only average. Martin, directed by A.P. Arjun and starring Dhruv Sarja, has faced a similar fate. The purported average performance of these two ‘blockbusters’ has intensified concerns in the industry. Meanwhile, Kannada cinema’s contribution to the Indian box office has also declined, from a high of 8 percent in 2022 to a mere 2 percent in 2023.”

Representatives from the Kannada film industry, however, are of the opinion that ending one’s life over “filmsy” reasons such as financial stress or work pressure is “utter foolishness.” M.N. Suresh, President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), said: “When everyone is facing the same crisis, why resort to such an extreme step? It is not a solution but an act of cowardice. People struggling with suicidal thoughts should seek help from experts.”