Sandalwood
Box Office: Kichcha Sudeepa's Kotigobba 3 & Duniya Vijay Starrer Salaga Bring Joy To Kannada Film Industry
Bangalore, October 23 - First time since Darshan's "Roberrt" and Puneeth Rajkumar-led "Yuvarathnaa", the Kannada Film Industry is having a sigh of relief. It has been a hard time for the South Indian film industry because of the covid-19 pandemic, but now, it is looking for revival, all thanks to the much-needed boost from the recently released Kotigobba 3 and Salaga. ## The long-awaited Kichcha Sudeepa starrer "Kotigobba 3" might have faced financial issues before its release on October 15, it has brought joy to the industry with a solid box office response. With strong Rs. 27 crores India gross at the box office in the first 8 days, the Shiva Karthik-directed has become one of the top grossers after the second covid-19 wave India. ## On the other hand, Duniya Vijay-fronted and directed "Salaga", which opened a day earlier on October 14, is doing well at the Karnataka box office. So far, the crime thriller has grossed approx Rs. 17.50 crores in the first 9-days and have been declared hit at the box office. It also stars Dhananjay, Nagabhushan, and Sanjana Anand in key roles. ## Two big Kannada films running to packed houses across Karnataka are good news for theatre owners, many of whom were on the verge of closing down because of the pandemic and no big-ticket fresh releases. "Both films enjoying full occupancy at 90 percent of all centers for five days is a big development", says K V Chandrashekar, chairman of Kannada Exhibitors Association.## In the pandemic-hit year, Darshan starrer actioner "Roberrt" remains the highest-grossing Kannada film. It was released on 11 March and grossed over Rs. 69 crores worldwide and was declared super hit at the box office. Dhruva Sarja, and Rashmika Mandanna's "Pogaru" remain the second-highest Kannada film of 2021 with Rs. 45.10 crores worldwide while Puneeth Rajkumar and Sayyeshaa Saigal's "Yuvarathnaa" is at number 3 with Rs. 38.70 crores worldwide gross in 15 days. It was made available on Amazon Prime Video only after 9 days of theatrical release. ## Among the upcoming Kannada films, the industry has high hopes for Dr. Shivarajkumar's "Bhajarangi 2", which opens on October 29. The fantasy action film got a homogenous response for the trailer which promises a visual extravaganza film to watch on the big screen. Kichcha Sudeepa's much-awaited "Vikrant Rona" will also be releasing this year and it is another film that is pilled on heavy VFX and is one of the costliest Kannada films. ## Stay tuned...
