‘Prabhas’s ‘Salaar 2’ is Soon Diving Into Production,’ Reveals Vijay Kiragandur: ‘It Is Going To Be An Absolute Behemoth’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Vijay Kiragandur, the visionary producer who gave Kannada cinema a pan-India and global reach with the “Kantara”  and “KGF” franchises, recently announced his production banner, Hombale Films, was diversifying into overseas distribution. 

In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Vijay Kiragandur opens up about his strategies for overseas distribution, underdog and culturally rooted films finding universal acceptance and the excitement and expectations that precede Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ‘Salaar 2.’

Excerpts from the interview

Your strategy for taking Kannada cinema not only pan-India but also globally with the 'Kantara' and 'KGF' franchises?

Our objective with this initiative extends far beyond Kannada cinema; we want to take all Indian stories global. India is a treasure trove of unexplored, deeply rooted cultural narratives and we feel we've barely begun to tap into that potential. From day one, Hombale has set bold goals for itself, and launching this global distribution wing is the natural next step in that evolution. We are fully committed to this vision and are eager to collaborate with any creator who shares our ambition to put Indian cinema on the world map.

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How are you strategizing overseas distribution to make sure your films get maximum reach?

Our strategy is about breaking down traditional barriers and opening doors that haven't been opened before. We know our stories and storytellers have immense global potential, and our goal is to ensure they never fall short on reach due to a lack of resources or distribution infrastructure. We want to be the catalyst that provides both established and emerging creators a robust platform to amplify their unique voices to a worldwide audience.  

Will your overseas distribution include Bollywood and other South-language films too?

We aren't restricting ourselves to any single industry; our mandate is global. We are absolutely open to presenting South Asian or even Latin American films, whether for audiences in India or overseas. For instance, before the release of ‘Kantara: Chapter 1,’ we were overwhelmed by messages from audiences in Latin America, who were deeply connected with the film. That direct engagement was the exact reason we ultimately decided to release it in Spanish. It proved to us that honest, culturally rooted stories transcend language and geography. This new initiative strengthens our infrastructure to connect these universal stories—whether produced in-house or by others—with the widest possible audience.

How do you manage to crack underdog and rooted stories that you think have global relevance?

Our primary rule is simple: we must be deeply invested in the narrative, and it must be told with absolute honesty. Once a project meets those criteria, we don't worry about traditional formulas or mobilizing the ‘masses’ with conventional tropes. ‘Salaar,’ for example, is one of our biggest hits, yet it didn't feature a single lip-sync song, which is usually considered a strict requirement for a mass entertainer. Similarly, ‘Kantara’ explored highly specific regional customs that even many Indians were initially unfamiliar with. But because these films were crafted with pure conviction and heart, you see the results today. We firmly believe that if the content is authentic and well-crafted, it will organically find its audience.

With 'Salaar 2' being among the most anticipated films, how are you planning to present it, especially since the director spoke about the first film not performing to his expectations?

Prashanth Neel is, undoubtedly, one of the finest directors working today, and like all great artists, he is his own toughest critic. The reality is that ‘Salaar’ was a mammoth success at the global box office and remains one of the most-watched films on OTT. Building on that massive foundation, ‘Salaar 2’ is going to be an absolute behemoth. We are constantly inundated with fan requests regarding its development, and we are thrilled to share that we will be diving into production on it very soon.