Kannada films – 2006 the year that was

The demise of icon of Kannada cinema Dr.Rajkumar turned out to be major blow to the Kannada filmdom in the year 2006. Dr.Rajkumar who had taken the Kannada film industry to the great heights died on April 12 has been shocking. 8 persons were killed in his funeral procession to Kanteerava studio. While Dr.Raj passing away disturbed the people of Karnataka the curtains are down for best quality of films it seems. But the ray of hope came from Master Kishen in this year as he got the 'Guinness' recognition at the international level for his 'Care of Footpath'.

The success has been very meager in the box office out of 70 films released. Nearly 20 films sailed through with one super hit film of 'My Autograph'. None of the other films came near to Sudeep's debut direction cum home banner film is a notable aspect. The success has been 25 percent this year.

Out of 70 nearly 20 films were remakes. The films with original scripts did well. Some of them made very good money while films such as Mitayi Mane, Thutturi earned good name for the quality aspects. Among the remakes it is only My Autograph, Sirivantha, Ajay, Honeymoon Express, Thenali Rama and Hubballi clicked in the box office. The films with original thoughts Sevanthi Sevanthi, Jothe Jotheyali, Chellata, Mata, Sishya, Thavarina Siri, Mohini, Care of Footpath, Cyanide, Rambha, Baa Rathi, Kannadadha Kandha did well in ringing the cash registers. The fag end of December 2006 releases Kallarali Hoovagi, Mungaru Male is moving on positive note.

Top honors for Sudeep and Ramya

Obviously Sudeep reached the first position in the year 2006. His other releases Hubballi did well in the box office while 'Thirupathi' was average. He made a guest role in 'Care of Footpath'. Next comes in Dr.Vishnuvardhana in the success wise. He gets the doctorate honor; Sirivantha of Dr.Vishnu has been going strong as a socially relevant cinema. Yet another release of Dr.Vishnu was average film 'Neenenello Naanalle'. As a matter of fact both Sudeep and Dr.Vishnu appeared in remake films in this year. Jaggesh is steady in this year with Honeymoon Express and Mata doing well in the cash registers. Puneeth Rajkumar 'Ajay' and Prem's 'Jothe Jotheyali' has been 100 days films. Prem also won the Film Fare award for his last year's successful film 'Nenapirali'.

The bubbling actress Ramya takes the first place with two hits one average and two biting dust. Sevanthi Sevanthi, Jothe Jotheyalli clicked in the box office while 'Thananam Thananam' is picking up. 'Datta' and 'Julie' Dino Morea also starring in this film crashed in the box office.

It has been disaster for Upendra, Shivarajkumar, Darshan, Ravichandran Murali, Mayoor and Ramkumar. Rakshita was in controversy rather than being in successful films and Radhika in five releases had miserable year.

Among the senior producers Rockline Venkatesh Ajay and Sirivantha earned him the respectable position. Chinne Gowda's come back after a long gap from 'Sevanthi Sevanthi' covered his earlier losses.

It is S.Narayan who clicked among the directors with two hits 'Sevanthi Seventhi' and 'Sirivantha'. His home banner film Veeru crashed the hopes.