Known for his character roles, Yash Shetty steps into the spotlight as the lead in his latest film, Jungle Mangal. Set against the lush backdrop of the semi-montane forests in Malenadu, this film, written and directed by Rakshit Kumar, weaves together cultural diversity, mystery, and romance. The project is backed by Sahyadri Studios, and the title was launched by director Simple Suni, who expressed his confidence in the film, thanking producer Manu Shedgar and investor Prajeet Hegde for their support. He urged audiences to support Jungle Mangal, which is set to release next month.

In a media interaction, Yash expressed his enthusiasm about the project, saying, “The real hero of this film is the story. It’s unique and compelling. I was originally meant to play a character role, but the director later considered me for the lead. I’m truly grateful to the entire team for this chance.”

Director Rakshit Kumar, who hails from Puttur, highlighted the film’s deeper themes, stating, “Jungle Mangal draws from events that have occurred, are currently happening, and will continue as long as humanity and nature exist. Malenadu, where the story unfolds, is a unique region at the confluence of two worlds—above and below the ghats—and much of it was shot in the forests of Subrahmanya.”

Harshita Ramachandra, who plays Divya—a middle-class girl torn between love and family—shared her character’s struggle: “Divya faces a tough choice between her love for an irresponsible boy and her family’s expectations. How she navigates this dilemma is a key part of the film that audiences will find engaging.”

Jungle Mangal features music by Prasad K Shetty, with an additional background score by Poornachandran Tejaswi.