'Rs. 3000 crores, 5-6 films a year in all south languages': KGF 2, Kantara makers Hombale Films divulge future plans

For Vijay Kiragandur, Chaluve Gowda, and the core group at Hombale Films, complacency is a big NO. Having secured two of their biggest successes in 2022 in the form of K.G.F: Chapter 2 and Kantara, the Bengaluru-based production house seems in no mood to pause and reflect - on the contrary, their upcoming slate of productions suggests that they are more than just keen on upping the ante. With films not just in Kannada but Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam currently on floors, Hombale seems geared up for an eventful phase.

In a recent interview with the Press Trust of India, Kiragandur shared a few vital details about their plans for the upcoming five years. The KGF 2 and Kantara makers aim on investing Rs. 3000 crores in the Indian entertainment industry with plans to produce films in all four south Indian languages. In these pursuits, Hombale Films intends on backing at least 5-6 films every year including one event movie. 

Vijay Kiragandur also shares in the same interview that Hombale wishes to reach a wider audience through stories that are culturally rooted. The production house is currently buoyed by the stellar success of Kantara which, despite being a modest film made at a budget of Rs. 16 crores, went on to become a global phenomenon with more than Rs. 410 crores gross collections to its name. Kantara, by all means, can be categorized as a rooted story centred on the many rich and vibrant traditions of the Tulu Nadu. Prior to that, Hombale Film's K.G.F: Chapter 2 achieved monumental success worldwide by grossing Rs. 1200 crores during its theatrical run. 

As far as the upcoming slew of releases is concerned, Hombale and Prashanth Neel are currently engrossed in the making of Salaar, one of the most awaited pan-Indian films (starring Prabhas, Shruti Haasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and others) scheduled to release on September 28, 2023. There's also Bagheera, starring Srii Murali, in the works with Rakshit Shetty's Richard Anthony slated to go on floors soon. Raghavendra Stores, directed by Santhosh Ananddram and starring Jaggesh & Shwetha Srivatsava, is ready for release.

On the other hand, the production house is collaborating with Prithviraj Sukumaran on Tyson which the Malayalam superstar will be directing. Pawan Kumar's Malayalam debut Dhoomam, starring Fahadh Faasil, is currently in the making with Soorarai Pottru director Sudha Kongara project expected to begin at the earliest. Vijay Kiragandur is also producing the Tamil comedy-drama Raghu Thatha, starring Keerthi Suresh.