At the IFFI 2025 Parade, Hombale Films became an unexpected showstopper. Their tableau, imagined and brought to life in just four days, won Second Place and drew warm admiration from the crowd, from officials lining the avenue, and from the jury who appreciated its detail and emotion.

Built on the theme 'Karnataka Culture From Our Soil to Global Maps,' the tableau felt like a moving portrait of the state. It celebrated Karnataka’s traditions, its rich art forms, and its growing influence across the world. The visuals were layered with familiar motifs and symbols that carried the scent of the soil, creating an experience that felt intimate and expansive at the same time.

What made the tableau stand out was the way it folded cinema into culture. Elements from Rajakumara, KGF, Salaar, and Kantara found their place alongside folk art and heritage markers. The presence of Appu, Yash, Prabhas, and Rishab Shetty’s iconic worlds offered a reminder of how stories from Karnataka have travelled far beyond their origin, touching audiences across languages and borders.

Hombale Films has often been credited for pushing creative boundaries without losing sight of where it all begins. This tableau felt like a continuation of that journey. It honoured Karnataka’s identity, yet also acknowledged how cinema has become a powerful cultural messenger for the state.

For something crafted in a matter of days, the tableau carried remarkable depth. It was thoughtful, heartfelt, and full of pride. The applause it received was not just for its execution but for the feeling it left behind. In many ways, it became a moment that belonged to Hombale Films and to Karnataka.