A decade after its sensational debut, the 2015 Kannada thriller RangiTaranga is returning to the big screen. Directed by Anup Bhandari and produced by HK Prakash, the film is set for a re-release on July 4, to take people on a nostalgic ride.
Alongside director Anup Bhandari, RangiTaranga's cast and crew gathered to share memories from its making and reflect on its lasting impact. Anup Bhandari, who transitioned from international short films to feature filmmaking, still expresses surprise over the film's unprecedented success.
“When we released it in 2015, some people doubted if we would even recover our poster expenses. But the audience stood by us. Despite releasing alongside Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, our film became a hit and opened up a new market for Kannada cinema in the US. It was the first Kannada film to appear on the New York Box Office listings. It ran for a year in Karnataka,” he says. “This re-release is a celebration of 10 years—a chance for today’s generation to experience the film in theatres. Since it's not widely available online, we felt this was the right time to bring it back. The excitement around the trailer made us emotional—it felt like a dream all over again. Even Radhika and Nirup Bhandari got emotional watching it,” he further adds.
Producer HK Prakash recalls his instinct to back the project after hearing its songs and story. “Ten years on, people still call me ‘RangiTaranga Prakash’. That’s the strong impression it created among people. With everyone’s support, we’re bringing it back to theatres,” he shares.
Veteran actor Saikumar, who played a pivotal role, adds: “Police Story and RangiTaranga are like my two eyes. Even today, people still appreciate my role in the film. I hope the re-release creates more records.”
Lead actor Nirup Bhandari shares his journey with RangiTaranga, “Being the hero in my brother’s first film was a proud moment. I was nervous, especially in my first scene—a fight with Saikumar sir!” Actress Radhika Narayan quips, “Even after many films, people still recognise me for RangiTaranga. That shows the impact it had.”
The team also included cinematographer William David, with Ajaneesh Loknath scoring the background music. Anup Bhandari composed the film’s soundtrack and wrote lyrics for most of its songs.
The film is set for a re-release in around 50 screens across Karnataka, including multiplexes, offering both old fans and new audiences a chance to revisit—or newly discover.
