Raj B Shetty on what’s ailing Kannada cinema: We have gone from…

Kannada actor-filmmaker Raj B Shetty has always been at the forefront of saying that Sandalwood’s biggest failing in recent times is the lack of quality writers and the industry’s reluctance in nurturing good talent. The 45 actor has often cited his own example, where he was offered a pittance for a writing job, and has, as such, pushed for a better pay structure for writers. Raj, who is currently promoting his next release Rakkasapuradhol, adds that Kannada cinema is suffering on multiple counts, which is not just about quality scripts.

The issues plaguing the Kannada film industry, according to Raj B Shetty

Speaking during The Allrounder Show podcast, Raj said that there was a time when the Kannada film industry was technician driven, with movies spoken about in terms of the crew that worked on it, whether it was the director or writer. “We have given up on being a technician driven industry and embraced a star-driven culture. Once upon a time, we had filmmakers like Puttanna Kanagal, Shankar Nag, Siddalingaiah, among others. Today, it is impossible to make a film like, say, Bhootayyana Maga Ayu; what a movie that was. We had that kind of a rich experience in Kannada cinema,” said Raj.

Today, he adds, Sandalwood is not technician driven, but more troublesome is the fact that if a director, for instance, makes a name for himself in Kannada cinema, the situation is such that he has to find greener pastures in other industries. “If you want to dream big, you don’t have that luxury here. So, they work in other industries, leaving us with very few directors and writers back home, most of who do not have the prowess to work with our stars. And last, but not the least, we are still hung up about films like KGF and Kantara, the magic of which cannot be recreated. Even audiences have moved on,” said Raj.

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The actor-filmmaker is currently in theatres as the antagonist in Duniya Vijay’s Landlord, a character that Raj quite enjoyed, given that he had his own emotional arc, a luxury that is often not accorded for the villain in the tale. Raj was also part of Arjun Janya’s directorial debut 45, which dropped on OTT a week ago. In Rakkasapuradhol, he plays an unconventional cop, who is battling his own demons, while also trying to get to the bottom of a murder that the towns folk believe is the work of the Kolli Deva. The film will be in theatres on February 6, 2026.

Rakkasapuradhol FAQs

Q. Where to watch Rakkasapuradhol?

A. Rakkasapuradhol will release in theatres on February 6, 2026

Q. What is Rakkasapuradhol about?

A. Rakkasapuradhol is a mystery thriller about a murder case, that the towns folk believe is the work of the Kolli Deva. Is there a supernatural element to this killing?