Narthan, the director behind the 2017 hit Mufti, is back after a hiatus with Bhairathi Ranagal, starring Shivarajkumar. While he still receives accolades for his breakthrough directorial debut, Narthan credits the lasting impact of Mufti for making his return possible. “I always believed that if I had made just another regular film, I and the film would have faded from the audience’s memory. But Mufti has sustained me till today. That’s the reason I’m able to make a prequel now. People remember the film, and that’s a big blessing,” he says.
The development of Bhairathi Ranagal didn’t follow a straight path either. Originally planned as his next film after Mufti, Narthan’s destiny took an unexpected detour. A collaboration with the rising star Yash had to take priority. Narthan explains, “When Bhairathi Ranagal was supposed to happen right after Mufti, Shivanna had some prior commitments. At that moment, Yash and I decided to collaborate on a project, and I shifted my focus to work on that script. Shivanna never said no—he understood. But with Yash’s stardom rising, we couldn’t ignore the opportunity. We dedicated a year and a half just to writing and discussions for that script. And then, of course, the pandemic happened.”
Given Yash’s meteoric rise post-KGF, one might wonder if Narthan was drawn to his stardom or something deeper. “It wasn’t just about Yash’s fame,” Narthan clarifies. “Yash and I had discussed doing a film much before KGF. He had already identified me as a director when I wrote a song for Masterpiece. However, the script we worked on back then didn’t come together. We’ll definitely work together in the future.”
Coming to Bhairathi Ranagal, which is set to release on November 15, the film represents his first attempt at crafting a prequel to Mufti in Kannada. This unique film offers answers to the questions left hanging in its predecessor and takes us deep into the emotional core of its complex protagonist.
Narthan explains how writing a prequel is distinctly different from tackling a sequel. “Sequels come with a certain predictability—there’s an established world, and you’re expected to carry the story forward. But with a prequel, you start from scratch. It’s a challenge because you’re not just revisiting characters; you’re going into their pasts and motivations, figuring out how they became who they are,” says Narthan.
The decision to explore Bhairathi Ranagal’s emotional background came from a desire to reveal the origins of the character, particularly the transformation of the gangster Shivanna played in Mufti. “In Mufti, Shivanna’s character left us with a lot of questions. His expressive eyes and intense portrayal drew attention, and we knew there was more to his story. Bhairathi Ranagal explores how he became the person we saw in Mufti—the emotional depth, his struggles, and the rise of his character,” Narthan shares.
The world of Mufti is dark and immersive, built on the backdrop of an iron mine, crime, and the lawlessness of Ronapura. Narthan wanted to recreate that same atmosphere but add more layers to it in Bhairathi Ranagal. “In Mufti, the iron mine was central to the story, with all its shadows and shades of grey. In this film, that same iron transforms into a machete, and the battles—both literal and metaphorical—take over,” he explains.
From the black costumes worn by the characters to the symbolic connections drawn between the attire of a lawyer, and a gangster, every element was carefully designed to create a seamless world. “The black dress, the chair, the courtroom, and even the machete—all of these elements are interconnected and speak to the journey of the character. I hope the audience notices these small details, which were brought together by our art director, J Shivakumar, Ravi Basrur’s music, and cinematographer Naveen Kumar,” Narthan says.
The question of whether anyone else could have portrayed Bhairathi Ranagal other than Shivanna was an easy one for Narthan to answer. “No one else could embody this character of Bhairathi Ranagal like Shivanna. Maybe someone like Rajinikanth could have carried it off, but Shivanna brings a unique power through his eyes—there’s an unmatched depth to his portrayal,” he asserts.
Talking about how Shivanna’s portrayal of Bhairathi, a character torn between two worlds, Narthan says, “Shivanna’s transformation as Bhairathi Ranagal is the highlight of the film. He shifts seamlessly between the roles of a lawyer and a gangster, and that dramatic change is what will keep the audience hooked.”
The film features a mix of familiar faces from Mufti and fresh new additions to the cast. Narthan notes the importance of blending old characters with new ones to keep the narrative fresh. “We didn’t want the audience to feel like they were watching the same faces again and again. Rahul Bose, a prominent Bollywood actor, was a perfect choice for one of the prominent roles. We also have Avinash, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gopal Krishna Deshpande, all of whom bring something unique to the table,” he explains. Even the music and cinematography have elements of continuity, with the Mufti theme woven into the Bhairathi Ranagal.
Narthan also describes Shivanna as a consummate professional who brings a quiet intensity to his roles. “Shivanna doesn’t require too much discussion. He’s a director’s actor in the best sense. He expects the dialogue half an hour before a shot, and then he’s ready to give it his all. His modulation, body language, emotions—they’re all perfect, and sometimes we only need one or two takes,” he shares, admiring Shivanna’s effortless mastery of his craft. “He’s easy-going on set, never stressful, but when it comes to his performance, he’s spot on. That’s what makes him so special—his ability to bring depth and authenticity to every role he plays.”
Praising Geetha Shivarajkumar’s confidence in the project, Narthan says, “When Geetha ma’am became the producer, she immediately recalled how Shivanna had so much say in his character for Mufti. It was clear to her that Shivanna’s portrayal had struck a chord with audiences, and when the idea of a prequel came up, she was all in.”
He adds, “Geetha never asked too many questions or interfered with the process. She trusted the vision from the very beginning, and everything unfolded as planned. She believed that if Mufti worked so well for Shivanna, Bhairathi Ranagal—with him in the lead—was bound to be a success. Her confidence in the project allowed us to scale up the film without hesitation, with careful attention to every detail.”
The film was initially meant to be multilingual, but with big films on the horizon in different languages, Bhairathi Ranagal in other languages is likely to release in the coming weeks.
Looking beyond Bhairathi Ranagal, Narthan is working on other interesting projects, including a potential sequel to the film. “I have a commitment with KVN Productions right now. After that, I’m eager to explore more stories, including a sequel to Bhairathi Ranagal,” says Narthan, who reconfirms that his project with Sudeep is still in the initial stages of discussion. “He’s a fantastic actor, and I’m hopeful we can make something great together,” he concludes.
