Hubballi and Dubai launch for The Villain  audio

The teasers of the Shivarajkumar and Sudeep-starrer The Villain, which were released on Thursday evening, have already gone viral, getting more than a million likes in less than 15 hours. “It’s trending and creating a record. Shivanna is depicted as Rama and Ravana, and Sudeep narrates a story on Ravana. This was to whet the curiosity of fans on the characters,” says director Prem, who is thrilled with the response.  

The animated ant in Sudeep’s teaser, Prem says, has taken three months to create and cost the producers Rs 8 lakh. “This is just a sample. There is more to come,” he promises.

After the creating a buzz with the teaser, the director is planning to do the same with the audio. A mega launch is on the cards, and we have it that it’s going to be done in not one but two places, one local and one international. “While we will launch the audio here at Hubballi in July, we also have plans to release it in Dubai. The idea is to have an audio function in the first week of August at the same place where 2.0 audio was released,” he says referring to the music composed by Arjun Janya.

The reason for the Dubai launch, Prem says, is because of his counterparts from other industries taking their films outside India for launches. “When filmmakers from other industries can take their films outside India, then why not we do the same with our Kannada films? If  Shankar can have his film’s audio release audio in Dubai, even I can do it,” says the director exuding much confidence.

He adds, “We have discussed with the authorities concerned, and now it’s just a matter of finalising the date. We should be announcing it in a day or two.”  Meanwhile, the makers are targeting August end as the release date, possibly on Varamahalakshmi festival.

The film produced by CR Manohar features Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty in a pivotal role, and  Telugu actor Srikanth, among others.