Is KGF star Yash not capitalizing on his pan-India appeal or just making calculated career moves?

In December of 2018, all of India took note of a film and a hero from Karnataka. KGF: Chapter 1 had released as a pan-Indian film in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi and grabbed eyeballs across the country. So much so that there was widespread anticipation for the second instalment, which was ready in 2020, but released in theatres only a good two years later. When it did, on April 14 this year, KGF: Chapter 2 was a runaway hit, raking in well over Rs 1,200 crore in global box office returns. Half or more of this collection came from the north Indian Hindi belt, while the other south states also contributed significant chunks. While KGF: Chapter 1 set the wheels in motion for Yash’s ascend as a bonafide pan-India star, Chapter 2 well and truly cemented that.

Today, Yash adorns billboards across the country, not just for his film, but brand endorsements too, because his is now a face that everyone knows. Despite this massive professional growth, though, Yash is in no hurry to make hay while the sun shines. Kannada cinema’s Rocking Star has had his fair share of struggles before the KGF saga changed his fortunes around. It’s taken him years to get to where he is today, and he will not fritter it away. This, say industry insiders, is also why the actor has not officially announced his next. He’s not been on a film set since he finished up KGF2 in 2020. There are rumours of a collaboration with Mufti director Narthan, but there’s been no official announcement of the same.

During the promotions of KGF: Chapter 2, Yash was repeatedly prodded about his next, since he continues to maintain his KGF Rocky Bhai look, including the beard (which could also be due to his endorsement of Beardo – a grooming range for men). Yash had, at the time, divulged that a script was in development for his next and that an official announcement would be made when the time is right. It is currently being rumoured that this announcement will happen on June 3, when KGF 2 celebrates 50 days at the box office. This, again, is pure speculation.

The fact remains, though, that anyone with even the slightest interest in the industry is waiting with bated breath to hear about what Yash will do next. Industry insiders say that the Rocking Star is playing his cards close to his chest because his meteoric rise to stardom is being equated to that of Baahubali star Prabhas, who was not able to sustain the momentum provided by the SS Rajamouli franchise in the movies he did subsequently. Yash, they say, does not want to be dubbed a one-franchise wonder and is making calculated moves with his career choices. While he does have a third KGF film in his kitty, director Prashant Neel has prior commitments – Salaar and #NTR31 (at least) – before he can return to Rocky Bhai’s story. At the moment, conservative estimates put KGF3 as a 2025 film, which would depend entirely on Prashant meeting the deadlines of his current films.

It is expected that Yash will do at least a couple of other films before he goes back to playing Rocky Bhai. Industry insiders say with much certainty that the film with Narthan #Yash19 is on track. It is, however, not clear if the actor will revive My Name is Kirataka with director Anil Kumar for Jayanna Combines, the banner that gave Yash the much-needed fillip in the early stages of his career, with movies like Jaanu, Drama, Googly, Gajakesari and Mr & Mrs Ramachari.