Acclaimed filmmaker BM Giriraj, best known for his critically appreciated films Jatta and Maitri, has wrapped the shoot of his next directorial, Kalyani. Based on a story by writer Basava Reddy, Kalyani is described as a tender romance that unfolds between two people from vastly different cultural backgrounds. Rather than relying solely on a conventional love story, the film explores themes of trust, friendship and identity through the relationship between a young woman from North India and a man from South India, highlighting the beauty and challenges that arise when two worlds collide.

Speaking about the film, Giriraj said Kalyani is unlike anything he has made before. While his previous works leaned towards hard-hitting social dramas, this film embraces a softer emotional tone, using romance as a lens to examine cultural differences and human connections.

The film also marks the acting debut of theatre artiste Samrat Shetty as the male lead. He is paired opposite Simran, an actress from North India, making for a fresh on-screen pairing. The supporting cast features a strong line-up of theatre talents, including Rahul Jetli, Shamanth Rao, PD Satish Chandra, Yamuna Srinidhi and Vijay Chendoor.

Produced by Kumaraswamy R under the RK Cinemas banner, Kalyani has music by BJ Bharat, cinematography by Prashanth Lagar, and editing by Arjun Kittu. The film has been shot extensively in Bhatkal and Bengaluru, with the makers now focusing on completing post-production.

If everything goes according to plan, Kalyani is expected to hit theatres in September or October 2026.