Is patriotism in Sandalwood running dry?

With a biopic on freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna readying for release, TOI asks directors why they don��t make more films in this genre

In the past, Sandalwood has seen some superhit patriotic films, but today it seems patriotism and patriotic themes are getting the short shrift. Barring the biopic on Sangolli Rayanna, which stars Darshan, there are no other names in the list presently. Yes, there was the critically-acclaimed Mathe Mungaru and the commercial Yodha, but those films were made some time ago.Why is this genre not looking attractive to directors anymore?
Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, who has previously made films touching upon themes of patriotism, says, ��There are two reasons why there has been a slump in patriotic films being produced. First, cynicism has crept into the minds of people, who don��t have any iconic figures to identify with like we had in pre-independent India. The second reason is that patriotism as an idea has become redundant. People are aware of the importance of independence and they want us to focus on developmental issues now.��
Films like Prithvi, Savaari and Mathadu Mathadu Mallige, which dealt with issues of Naxalism and the mining mafia, have only been sporadic representations of social and developmental causes. A young filmmaker, on condition of anonymity, says, ��Films like Mathe Mungaaru are critically acclaimed. But no way are they money-spinners. This is why commercially viable actors shy away from signing such films.��
But it stands to reason why the Kannada audience would not be receptive to such films. Nagathihalli says, ��When I touched upon the subject of ULFA in Assam in Hoomale, people here questioned the relevance of the subject to Karnataka. The people here are happy with films that deal with subjects cl o s e

to their comfort zone. Unlike Bollywood, Kannada films cannot really dabble in films about subjects like terrorism and border issues.�� An upcoming release that is likely to bring back that patriotic fervour is Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna. The director of the film, Naganna, says, ��We have few films on historical subjects made here, but each of them has managed to appeal to audiences when they released. Making these films requires a lot of time and research. The Kannada audience knows their history and they want thorough representations. This makes it a daunting task for the filmmakers.��
While Kannada film lovers have been treated to some glorious representations of patriotism in Muttina Hara, Nishkarsha and America America, in the recent years there has been a dearth of films taking off from this theme. The question is whether filmmakers want to fill this gap.

End of Article