The upcoming Kannada film ‘Guddada Bhootha’ brings back memories of the popular 1990 Doordarshan television serial of the same name, Produced by Kantharaj under the banner of NMK Cinema and directed by Bharath, the film is a content-driven mystery thriller inspired by a real-life family murder mystery. Samarjith Lankesh plays the lead role, while the film brings together a team of talented artists and technicians.
Kantharaj: “Our Banner Makes Stars”
Producer Kantharaj said that he had heard several stories in the last six months before deciding to back the project. Impressed by the script, he immediately shook hands with director Bharath and paid him an advance.
He praised Samarjith Lankesh for his dedication and down-to-earth nature. Recalling the actor’s commitment, Kantharaj said Samarjith continued working with dedication despite suffering from a fever. He also appreciated the values instilled in him by his grandfather, P. Lankesh, and his father, Indrajit Lankesh.
Kantharaj recalled that the director had initially promised to complete the film in 30 days, but the project eventually took considerably more time and money. He also revealed that he had acted in two scenes in the film.
He expressed confidence that NMK Cinema would help Samarjith earn a good name and recognition through Guddada Bhootha. Highlighting the actor’s commitment, he said Samarjith travelled approximately 70 kilometres from Sirsi to Hubballi to attend gym sessions at his own expense and never asked for conveyance.
Kantharaj also spoke about the disappointing performance of his earlier film ‘Forest’, revealing that he faced a difficult financial situation for nearly two years. According to him, the director of Forest received ₹50,000 initially and ₹15,000 per month over the following two years but did not work towards promoting the film. Kantharaj later learnt that the director had been holding up the film while pursuing another job opportunity.
Director Bharath: A Mystery Spanning Five Periods
Director Bharath said the memories of the 1990 television serial Guddada Bhootha would naturally come to mind when audiences heard the title of his film.
Describing the project as a mystery thriller inspired by a real-life family murder case, he said the film was shot in Manchikere and Sirsi, with the producer extending support at every stage.
Bharath explained that the film is driven by its content, with Samarjith playing the central character. There is no conventional heroine in the film, and actor Alok has performed beyond the director’s expectations.
The film features artists selected from the theatre world, including members of the Rangayana team. Cinematographer Deepak Kumar, J. G. Krishna’s son, and editor Shashidhar are among the technicians associated with the project.
The film has four songs, but none is presented in the conventional manner of a theatrical song sequence. Instead, the songs are woven into montages, with one sequence reportedly spanning ten scenes.
One of the film’s major attractions is its narrative across five different periods. The story moves through the 15th century, 1967, 1999 and 2026, while references to 2010 and 2015 also emerge as the mystery unfolds.
Bharath said the film incorporates elements associated with Kundapura and the Tulu region, along with a divine atmosphere. He also spoke about the narrative’s questioning approach and the effort to avoid relying on familiar faces alone to generate audience interest. The intention was to select suitable performers and allow the story and characters to take centre stage.
Samarjith Lankesh: “Audiences Will Support Good Content”
Samarjith Lankesh expressed happiness about getting the opportunity to work with director Bharath in a film with an interesting subject.
He said the director’s clarity helped him understand the character and approach his performance with confidence. Samarjith also expressed faith in Kannada audiences, saying they would support films with good content.
In Guddada Bhootha, Samarjith plays a police officer investigating a 26-year-old case. The actor, who is 26 years old himself, said he was comfortable with the role and found the premise particularly interesting.
Srihari: Music Crafted with Care
Music director Srihari (Bharat originally), who is working on his second musical project, said he had put considerable effort into preparing for the film and completing his homework before composing the music.
He expressed confidence in the film’s prospects and said he believed it had the potential to become a hit. Srihari also spoke about his musical training in London, where he studied music and earned a degree, and his experience working on music design at A. R. Rahman’s studio.
With its mystery-driven narrative, multiple timelines, distinctive casting and emphasis on content, Guddada Bhootha aims to offer Kannada audiences a different cinematic experience.
