The 2015 Kannada blockbuster Rangitaranga, produced by H.K. Prakash and directed by Anup Bhandari, is set to return to theatres on July 4, 2025 — ten years after its original release. At a press conference held to announce the re-release, the film’s team shared their memories and experiences associated with the project.
Producer H.K. Prakash said, “Even after ten years, people identify me as ‘Rangitaranga’ Prakash. I had watched a telefilm featuring Nirup and was impressed by his performance. When I contacted Nirup’s father Sudhakar Bhandari about collaborating, I learned that Anup Bhandari was in the pre-production stage of a film. After hearing the story and the songs, I immediately decided to produce it. That film was Rangitaranga. With the encouragement of the audience, we are re-releasing the film on July 4, 2025.”
Director Anup Bhandari stated, “I was working in the U.S. and had made international short films with Hollywood actor Russell Harvard. During the pre-production of Rangitaranga, H.K. Prakash expressed interest in producing it. Apart from Sai Kumar, most of the cast members were newcomers — Nirup Bhandari, Radhika Chetan, Avantika Shetty, Aravind — and their combined efforts shaped the film. Cinematographer William David visualized the scenes just as I had imagined. When the film released on July 3, 2015, some viewers at Kapali Theatre told our producer that the film wouldn’t even recover its poster costs. But our producer believed strongly in the film, and that belief was not misplaced. Despite releasing alongside big films like Baahubali, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Srimanthudu, our Kannada film became a hit. Rangitaranga also opened up a new market for Kannada cinema in the U.S. and won many awards that year. We are re-releasing the film on July 4 and are hopeful that Kannada audiences will support it again.”
Veteran actor Sai Kumar said, “Police Story and Rangitaranga are like my two eyes. I’m happy to have acted in such Kannada films. Even today, people appreciate my character in Rangitaranga. I wish that the re-release also performs well.”
Lead actor Nirup Bhandari shared, “Though I was working in IT, I had a strong interest in acting. I trained at Ratan Thakore Grant’s acting school and was the lead in short films directed by my brother Anup. I was very happy to learn that I would be the hero in his first feature film. I still remember the nervousness I felt during the first scene, where I had to do a fight sequence with Sai Kumar. When I visited the U.S. and saw large crowds coming to watch the film, it made me very happy. I thank the producer and my brother Anup for the opportunity.”
Lead actress Radhika Narayan said, “I was working in IT when Anup narrated the story to me, and I liked it. Although it’s been ten years since the film released and I have acted in several other movies, people still recognize me for Rangitaranga.”
Actor Aravind, who played a police officer in the film, shared his experience. Cinematographer William David spoke about the cinematography process. Executive producer Sudhakar Bhandari shared several interesting incidents that occurred during the making and release of the film. Distributor Hemanth was also present at the press conference.
