How Raj B Shetty's Su From So Became Kannada Cinema's Biggest Surprise Hit | InFocus | THR India

In this exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, acclaimed Kannada actor-filmmaker Raj B Shetty sits down with Anupama Chopra to discuss the phenomenal success of his production venture "Su From So," which has taken Karnataka by storm. The film, directed by debutant JP Thuminad, has shattered box office expectations, earning over ₹35 crore in just 10 days despite having no star cast or big-budget promotions. Raj reveals the unconventional no-marketing strategy behind the film's release, his philosophy of instinctive filmmaking where "I don't know" becomes a creative process, and why he refuses to make sequels despite commercial pressure.

The conversation explores Raj's journey from radio jockey to one of Kannada cinema's most innovative voices, his collaboration with the "Shetty trinity" (Rishab and Rakshit Shetty), and his commitment to nurturing fresh talent through Lighter Buddha Films. Raj also opens up about his "accidental actor" approach, the importance of authentic storytelling rooted in local culture, and why he believes content-driven cinema will always triumph over star-driven projects. He discusses his upcoming thriller project, his refusal to work with big stars due to scheduling constraints, and his vision for the future of Kannada cinema.

00:00 Introduction
03:49 Discussing Su From So's theatrical success story
06:10 Origin of ghost Sulochana from Someshwara
11:04 Casting theater troupe for village characters
13:00 Playing fraudulent spiritual guru Guruji character
17:04 JP Thuminad's directorial improvisation and comedy pacing
19:04 Lighter Buddha Films philosophy and name origin
22:35 Writing process preferring uncertainty over design
27:05 Writing new thriller after gangster comedy genres
32:05 Small budget films versus star-driven productions
34:07 Kannada cinema landscape post-KGF and Kantara
39:43 Malayalam release and Hindi remake possibilities

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