The Kannada film Veera Kambala, directed by senior filmmaker Rajendra Singh Babu, is scheduled for a statewide release on February 27. As the release date approaches, the film team has begun revealing various aspects and features associated with the project.
The making of Veera Kambala is rooted in a long and detailed narrative that spans several decades. The film is based on Kambala, a traditional sport with a history of nearly 700 years. Director Rajendra Singh Babu developed the film after extensively collecting detailed information related to the history and evolution of Kambala. One of the notable aspects of the film is the participation of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, who appears in an important role.
Information about Veerendra Heggade acting in the film had emerged several years ago. However, neither the director nor the film team disclosed further details at the time, maintaining confidentiality around the role. The director has now revealed the look of the character portrayed by Heggade and has also shared the reasons behind casting him for the role. According to Rajendra Singh Babu, as he studied the history of Kambala, he became aware of the close and longstanding association between the sport and Veerendra Heggade.
Until the 1970s, Kambala was largely a privately conducted sport limited to the Tulu Nadu region. During that period, Veerendra Heggade played a role in organizing Kambala events on a larger scale. Over time, the sport evolved in different forms and gained wider recognition across Karnataka. It was this historical connection that led the director to consider Heggade for a significant role in the film. Known for his interest in Kambala, Heggade agreed to be part of the project.
Veerendra Heggade has portrayed a character that conveys a core message central to the film’s theme. The director stated that the character played by Heggade is one of the notable elements of Veera Kambala. The film team has also expressed that Heggade participated in the shoot with enthusiasm.
Veera Kambala has been produced by Dr. Vinith Vijay Kumar Reddy and Arun Rai Todar under the Baba’s Blessing Films banner. Prakash Rai and Ravishankar appear in lead roles, while Radhika Chetan plays a special role. The film will also be released in the Tulu language and features actors from the Tulu theatre background, including Naveen Padil, Gopinath Bhat, and Bhojaraj Vamanjoor.
The film’s screenplay and dialogues are by Vijay Kodiyalbail. Music has been composed by Manikanth Kadri, cinematography is by R. Giri, editing by Srinivas S. Babu, art direction by Chandrashekhar Suvarna Mulki, and costume design by Kantha Prasad and Bhasha. Veera Kambala is set to release in theatres on February 27.
