The iconic first Kannada talkie, Sati Sulochana, is being recreated under the direction of P. Sheshadri, with Srujan Lokesh as the producer. The reimagined version is set to release on March 3, 2026—exactly 91 years after the original film was released on March 3, 1934.
When Sati Sulochana first premiered, audiences, accustomed to watching live theater performances, were left in awe witnessing a talkie for the first time on screen. The film was produced by Chamanlal Dongaji, a Rajasthan-origin businessman, following the guidance of veteran actor R. Nagendra Rao, and directed by Y.V. Rao. The lead role was played by Subbaiah Naidu, grandfather of Srujan Lokesh, while Tripuramba portrayed the heroine. Unfortunately, no video footage of this historic film exists today—only a few still photographs remain.
Understanding the historical significance of his grandfather’s role in this pioneering film, Srujan Lokesh has taken the initiative to recreate Sati Sulochana. At a press conference, both Srujan Lokesh and P. Sheshadri expressed their excitement about this ambitious project.
The original film was released at 7:30 PM on March 3, 1934, at the Paramount Theatre in Bangalore. It was based on a sub-story from the Ramayana, adapted from a play written by Bellave Narahari Shastri. The film was made on a budget of ₹40,000 by Chamanlal Dongaji and his brother Bhoormal Dongaji, who were utensil merchants in Chickpet. The cast included legendary artists like Subbaiah Naidu, Tripuramba, R. Nagendra Rao, Lakshmi Bai, and Kamala Bai.
With this recreation, Kannada cinema will relive a major milestone, allowing today’s audience to witness the rebirth of a historic masterpiece.
