Vasishta Simha, who was last seen in Loveli, has signed his next project after a brief gap. The actor, known for his intense screen presence and measured choice of roles, will headline a gangster drama set in Karnataka's coastal belt.
The yet-to-be-titled film will be directed by Ranjith Kumar Gowda, who previously helmed Apple Cake and Kaagada. With this project, Ranjith ventures into darker terrain, exploring the underbelly of Mangaluru. “This is a gangster drama set in the coastal belt. It is raw, emotional, and politically layered,” the director says. “When I narrated the story, Vasishta connected with it immediately and agreed to come on board.”
The narrative is set in coastal Karnataka, and the makers plan to shoot extensively in and around Mangaluru, Surathkal, and Udupi to preserve the region’s texture and authenticity. The coastal landscape and its socio-political atmosphere are expected to shape the film’s tone significantly.
The project produced by Dhamendra under the Janaki Combiens banner, also features a notable ensemble. Yash Shetty, Ravi Shankar, Achyuth Kumar, Sharath Lohitashwa, and Raja Belawadi will play pivotal roles, strengthening the film’s dramatic canvas.
Sushmitha Bhat has been cast as the leading lady, marking her first on-screen pairing with Vasishta Simha. The actor, who has been balancing projects across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam industries, recently drew attention with her Kannada music video Tulasi, a reimagining of a Sri Purandara Dasaru kruthi composed by Sumed K. This will be her fourth Kannada film, after her debut Kavyanjali, Kaljiga, and Chow Chow Bath.
Shashank Seshagiri and Avinash Nagaraj have been finalised to handle the cinematography. The film is scheduled to be launched on March 6.