NELUM BUDDHADASA
The Sri Lanka Tourism Board (SLTPB) welcomed a special Kannada Cinema delegation from Karnataka, India, at a press conference held recently at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. With film tourism being one of the niche products that the SLTPB hopes to capitalise on with the aim of promoting Sri Lanka as a major film production destination, the Kannada cinema delegation were invited for a familiarisation visit of Sri Lanka between 27th April and 3rd May 2023 in collaboration with the Asian Media and Cultural Association (AMCA). The Kannada film industry, known as “Sandalwood Cinema”, releases approximately 20 films in Bengalaru weekly. Sandalwood’s domestic box office in India amounted to Rs 1690 crores in 2022, with the notable success of “RRR”,with the film’s catchy hit song “Naatu Naatu” winning the Oscar in 2023 for “Best Original Song”.
The Kannada Cinema delegation is led by Mr.Nagathhalli Chandrashekara, a veteran film director, actor, screenwriter, and lyricist. His 1997 movie, “America! America!” will be screened at the Kannada Film Festival in Colombo . Speaking to the media, Mr.Chandrashekara stated that he has established a film school known as “Tent Cinema“ in Bangalore. He believes that the visit of the delegation will bridge the gap between the cultures, while film workshops held in Colombo would greatly benefit the youth. Also in attendance were charismatic Kannada actors , Nirup Bhandari and Kavya Shetty. Speaking to Top News Asia, Nirup Bhandari, who made his debut in the 2015 critically acclaimed movie “Rangi Taranga” and starred in the 2022 Kannada-language action thriller “Vikrant Rona” with Sri Lankan Bollywood actress, Jacqueline Fernandez,stated that there was great potential to explore Sri Lanka as a film shooting destination with beautiful locations islandwide. Kannada actress,Kavya Shetty, who made her acting debut in 2013 with the Kannada film “Nam Duniya Nam Style” is no stranger to Sri Lanka and has visited the island as a tourist and for film shoots .One of Kavya Shetty’s films will be screened at the 1st Kannada Film Festival taking place on 2nd May 2023 at the Tharangani Theatre in Colombo 7 ,near to the National Film Corporation
