The landscape of Kannada cinema has undergone a seismic shift in recent years, and at the forefront of this transformation stands writer Simple Suni, the creative force behind some of the industry's most groundbreaking narratives. In an exclusive conversation, Suni reveals the philosophy behind his approach to storytelling that bridges the gap between local authenticity and grand-scale appeal.
The New Wave of Kannada Storytelling
From the gritty underworld of KGF to the mystical forests of Kantara, Suni's writing portfolio demonstrates a remarkable range. What connects these seemingly disparate stories is their ability to tell deeply rooted local stories with universal appeal. "The audience today wants stories that are authentic yet spectacular," Suni explains, highlighting the delicate balance modern filmmakers must strike.
Rooted in Reality, Elevated for Cinema
Suni's approach defies conventional wisdom in the industry. While many filmmakers chase urban stories with pan-India appeal, Suni believes in digging deeper into regional soil. "Our strength lies in our roots," he asserts. "When you tell a story true to its soil, it automatically finds a wider audience because authenticity transcends language barriers."
The Kantara Phenomenon
The unprecedented success of Kantara proved Suni's theory correct. The film, steeped in Dakshina Kannada's culture and folklore, became a national sensation. "We didn't set out to make a pan-India film," Suni recalls. "We focused on telling our story truthfully, and the nation embraced it." This organic approach to storytelling has redefined what constitutes "mass appeal" in Indian cinema.
Writing for the Visual Medium
Suni emphasizes that grand-scale storytelling isn't just about big budgets or exotic locations. "Scale comes from emotional depth and cultural richness," he notes. His writing process involves creating vivid visual landscapes through words, allowing directors like Rishab Shetty to translate these visions into cinematic reality.
The Future of Regional Cinema
As Kannada cinema continues its golden run, Suni sees this as just the beginning. "We've proven that our stories have global appeal when told with conviction," he says. The success of films like KGF and Kantara has opened doors for more regional stories to find national and international audiences.
The Simple Suni approach to storytelling represents a new paradigm in Indian cinema—one where local stories don't need to compromise their identity to achieve grand-scale success. As the industry takes note, this philosophy is likely to inspire a new generation of filmmakers across India's diverse cinematic landscape.
