Director Simple Suni is bringing something completely new to Kannada cinema with his upcoming film, Lambodara 2.0. The film will feature JIA, a humanoid robot, in a key role, reportedly a first for Indian cinema. Developed by Bengaluru-based Machani Robotics, JIA is not a CGI character or an actor in a robotic costume, but an actual humanoid robot performing on screen.
Blending science fiction with a social thriller, Lambodara 2.0 also marks Anil Shetty's acting debut, with Saachi Bindra playing the female lead. Hindi actor Kunal Kapoor, known for films such as Rang De Basanti, Don 2 and Dear Zindagi, will make his Kannada debut with the film, in an important role that is expected to add a major twist to the story. The upcoming film looks at the challenges young people face in the digital age, including social media pressure, digital addiction, loneliness and the constant search for happiness online. Set in Bengaluru, the story explores the growing gap between real life and the virtual world, while also touching on issues such as digital surveillance and the isolation that can come from spending too much time behind screens.
According to Suni, the film reflects several realities of modern life and looks at how technology can influence human emotions, relationships and choices. For debutant Anil Shetty, the project is a significant beginning to his film career. He has expressed his excitement about making his acting debut with such an unusual subject under Suni’s direction.
