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Interesting week ahead for Kannada cinema

The costliest-ever Kannada film, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, is releasing on November 1, coinciding with the Kannada Rajyotsava, the day the state of Karnataka was formed.

Dakota Picture is also releasing on Thursday to cash in on the holiday rush.

Here's a look at the two Kannada films.

Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna
Director: Naganna
Cast: Darshan, Jaya Pradha, Nikitha Thukral, Srinivasa Murthy, Umashree, Shashi Kumar

This biopic of freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna cost Rs 25 crore.

Darshan plays the role of the brave warrior who is Rani Kittur Chennamma's trusted army chief who fought British rule till his death.

Jaya Pradha plays Kittur Chennamma, queen of the princely state of Kittur in Karnataka. She fought against the British 33 years before the 1857 Indian rebellion.

Jaya Pradha says, "This role is a dream-come-true for me. This is a special character for me. I have played Seeta, Shakuntala and many mythological roles. But I always wanted to play the role of a warrior.

"Whenever I used to see the statue of Kittur Chennamma in Parliament, I used to pray that I get a chance to portray her character in a film.

"Chennamma has blessed me. This film will showcase our history to our youngsters and inculcate patriotic fervour in them."

Nikitha plays Mallamma

Nikitha, who is paired opposite Darshan, is full of praise for the film.

"Director Naganna sir wanted to give my character authenticity. I was not allowed to stick bindis or paint my nails because it had to convey the period. I was allowed to use sindhoor instead of bindis," Nikitha said.

The film has been shot in Belgaum, Murugod cave, Mysore, Jaipur, and in a desert village in Rajasthan. Battle scenes were shot in a desert village with 30 elephants, hundreds of horses and thousands of soldiers and fighters.

Seven cameras were employed; some small ones were fitted to the horses, and some scenes were shot from a helicopter.

Ramesh Babu is the cinematographer and Yashovardhan has scored the music. The film is produced by Anand Appugol and written by Keshavaditya and Naganna.

Dakota Picture

Director: Omprakash Rao
Cast: Rockline Venkatesh, Omprakash Rao, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Doddanna, Sunder Raj, Nikesha Patel

After the success of the comedy Dakota Express that starred Rockline Venkatesh and Omprakash Rao, the same pair has come together in the fun-filled Dakota Picture.

Rockline Venkatesh, who has also produced the film, is playing the lead while Nikesha is paired opposite him.

"The film does not run on the male lead or female lead. It is a totally fun-filled laugh riot that has village surroundings as its backdrop," said actor Mukhyamantri Chandru.

Doddanna, who is sharing the screen with Chandru, said he enjoyed himself hugely.

Rockline Venkatesh: The film is based on Hindi film Maalamaal Weekly

Rockline Venkatesh says, "We have based this film on the Hindi film Maalamaal Weekly and turned it around to suit our tastes and nativity.

"Director Omprakash Rao, who is known for making action films, has proved that he is equally good and adept at making comedy films as he is himself a comedian."

Jagadish Waali is the cinematographer and Hamsalekha has scored the music.

The movie has just two songs with one of them being a situational song.

The film has a huge star cast of comedians.