Mangaluru: The shooting of the Kannada-Telugu bilingual action comedy ‘Halka Don’, which is being filmed extensively in Mangaluru, is nearing completion. Produced by K P Srikanth, known for Salaga, and directed by Venkatachala (Chalam), the film brings together artistes from the Kannada and Tulu film industries.
As the production enters its final phase, the film team visited the Kuthar Dekkadu Koragajja Adisthala on Monday. The artistes and technicians offered special prayers and sought blessings before holding a press conference at the venue, where details about the project, its storyline and the decision to release the film in Tulu were discussed.
Pramod Panju and Amrutha Iyengar lead the cast
Pramod Panju and Amrutha Iyengar play the lead roles in ‘Halka Don’. The film also features prominent artistes including Tulu and Kannada actors Rupesh Shetty and Aravind Bolar.
Sai Kumar, Jyothi Poorvaj and Ramesh Indira are also part of the supporting cast. The combination of artistes associated with both Kannada and Tulu cinema is expected to give the film a strong regional flavour while retaining its broader commercial appeal.
The technical crew includes cinematographer Sathya Hegde, editor Arjun Kittu and music composer V Harikrishna.
With Mangaluru serving as the backdrop for the story and much of the film being shot in and around the coastal city, the makers have attempted to incorporate the region’s character into the narrative.
Film presents a humorous take on the underworld
Director Venkatachala, popularly known as Chalam, said the film revolves around an attractive yet innocent man who unexpectedly becomes the face of a powerful gang.
The protagonist finds himself drawn into a rivalry within the local underworld. Rather than presenting the conflict as a conventional gangster story, the film combines action and humour to show how the central character deals with increasingly difficult situations.
According to Chalam, the protagonist relies on his intelligence, unexpected alliances and the support of Amrutha Iyengar’s character to navigate the challenges that come his way.
The director said the project marks his debut as a filmmaker and expressed gratitude to producer K P Srikanth and the entire team for giving him the opportunity to direct a film under an established banner.
The title itself, ‘Halka Don’, is intended to create curiosity and reflects the film’s lighter and humorous treatment of a story involving the underworld.
Pramod Panju praises Mangaluru setting
Lead actor Pramod Panju said he was pleased to have received an opportunity to act in a film whose story is rooted in Mangaluru.
He also spoke positively about working alongside experienced performers such as Aravind Bolar and Rupesh Shetty. According to him, the collaboration provided a valuable experience during the making of the film.
Since a substantial portion of the shooting took place in the coastal city, the team eventually decided to produce a Tulu version as well. The move is aimed at allowing local audiences to experience a story set in their own region in their own language.
The decision also reflects the growing efforts by filmmakers to create content that connects directly with audiences in coastal Karnataka.
Rupesh Shetty excited about the project
Rupesh Shetty, who has acted in both Tulu and Kannada films, said he had long wanted to work with a strong production banner on a project that offered a compelling story.
He said he agreed to join ‘Halka Don’ after producer K P Srikanth narrated the story. Shetty also recalled his first interaction with director Chalam, saying that the meeting itself was filled with humour and left a strong impression on him.
Describing the title as one that naturally creates curiosity, Shetty said the film presents the story of a Mangaluru don in a different and humorous manner.
He also hinted that the makers were considering a distinctive promotional strategy for the film ahead of its release.
For Shetty, the project represents an opportunity to bring together his experience in Tulu and Kannada cinema while working with a production house he had wanted to collaborate with.
Producer confirms Tulu version
Producer K P Srikanth said the original plan was to make ‘Halka Don’ in Kannada and Telugu. However, the extensive filming in Mangaluru prompted the team to reconsider the language strategy.
Since the story is closely connected to the city and the film was shot largely in the region, the makers felt that producing it in Tulu would help establish a stronger connection with the local audience.
Srikanth said the team wanted to bring the film to local viewers in the language spoken by people of the region. He also expressed confidence in the audience of Dakshina Kannada, describing them as viewers capable of recognising quality cinema.
The producer said the team had visited the Kuthar Koragajja shrine to offer prayers and seek blessings before moving towards the final stages of the film.
He expressed the hope that the film would receive the blessings of Parashurama and connect successfully with audiences.
Aravind Bolar adds humour to the proceedings
Aravind Bolar, a familiar face in Tulu and Kannada cinema, also expressed happiness about being part of the project.
Bolar said the film was being made through a collaboration involving K P Srikanth and Nagendra Prasad and praised the atmosphere on the sets. He said working with the team had been a positive experience.
Known for his comic performances, Bolar added a lighter touch to the press conference by joking that he had not been given the heroine’s role.
He also praised Pramod Panju, referring to his journey from acting in a popular Kannada television serial to becoming a prominent actor. Bolar said the actor’s growth reflected his hard work and dedication.
Speaking about the film’s production environment, he said the atmosphere on the sets had been positive and expressed confidence that ‘Halka Don’ would emerge as a successful film.
Strong coastal connection
The decision to produce a Tulu version gives ‘Halka Don’ an added connection with coastal Karnataka. Tulu cinema has developed a dedicated audience in the coastal belt, while artistes from the Tulu industry have increasingly found opportunities in Kannada films and wider productions.
By retaining Mangaluru as a central backdrop and adding a Tulu version, the makers appear keen to balance regional identity with the wider reach of a bilingual commercial film.
The combination of action, comedy and an underworld-based story could also allow the film to appeal to audiences beyond the coastal region.
With the shooting almost complete, attention will now turn towards post-production, promotional activities and the eventual release plans.
The film team’s visit to Kuthar and the subsequent press conference marked an important moment in the production, particularly as the makers prepare to introduce the Mangaluru-based story to audiences in Kannada, Telugu and Tulu.