The success or failure of a film has never bothered Daali Dhananjaya as much as the verdict being delivered before audiences have had a chance to watch it.

At the press meet of Mother Promise, directed by Poorna Mysore, the actor-producer spoke with unusual candour about what he sees as a growing culture of targeted negativity around Kannada films. His latest production, he said, has been met with encouraging responses from audiences who have watched it, with many praising it as a clean, family entertainer. Yet, social media has also been flooded with posts claiming theatres are empty and the film has failed, even as it continues its theatrical run.

Dhananjaya's remarks aren't about one film struggling at the box office. They reflect a larger concern: in an era where perception spreads faster than experience, backing a Kannada film may be becoming harder than acting in one.

For Dhananjaya, that trend has become emotionally exhausting. "I became a producer with Badava Rascal in 2021. Since then, I've worked with so many people and produced Head Bush, Vidyapati, Tagaru Palya, JC and now Mother Promise under Daali Pictures banner. Heggana Muddu is next, and that could well be my last production," he said.

It wasn't a dramatic farewell, but the admission of someone questioning whether the effort of producing films is still worth the emotional cost. "I get tired too," he said. "I want to enjoy my journey as an actor. Producing films isn't my responsibility. I chose to do it because I wanted to contribute."

Dhananjaya made it clear that he has no issue with criticism. What concerns him, he said, is a deliberate attempt to influence public perception before people have even stepped into a theatre.

"Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but why should the intention be to harm? If someone has a problem with Mother Promise, watch it in a theatre with 50 people. If the audience doesn't laugh, I'll accept that the film hasn't worked. But deciding a film is bad without watching it serves no purpose."

He believes the issue goes beyond one film. Cinema, literature and theatre, he said, are all part of strengthening Kannada culture, and filmmakers deserve to be judged on the work they put on screen, not on narratives built around it. "I'm not complaining," he added. "As an actor, my only responsibility is to make good films. Producing is something extra I chose because I wanted to give back. Twisting that effort into something negative doesn't help anyone. If you don't like a film, don't watch it. But don't stop others from experiencing it."

The actor also acknowledged the practical realities of producing. Raising finances, convincing partners and beginning every project with the same optimism isn't easy. "This time my friend Harsha has joined me. Every production means taking a fresh risk."

Despite his disappointment, Dhananjaya remains hopeful about Mother Promise. He says the film is performing well and is on course to recover its investment. "We'll definitely not incur losses. Even if we do, I'm the one who won't get paid as a producer," he said.