PremiumVeera Chandrahasa: Ravi Basur on taking Yakshagana to the big screen
Veera Chandrahasa is a project that Ravi Basrur has been nurturing for over a decade. It will be in theatres on April 18.
Last Updated: 07.41 PM, Apr 02, 2025
Veera Chandrahasa, which releases in theatres on April 18, has been called a Ravi Basrur dream, his sixth directorial venture that is rather special, given that it brings Yakshagana to the big screen. The film is a historical drama set in the mythical Kuntala kingdom that delves into the legend of king Chandrahasa, blending historical storytelling with Yakshagana performances.
“For more than a decade, I have been trying to put together this dream project that will take the rich cultural tapestry of Karnataka to the world. Chandrahasa’s story is quite fascinating, going from being a beggar to becoming a king. He is also referenced in the Mahabharatha, as one of the allies of the Pandavas, who provides them with a massive army during the Kurukshetra war. The film will touch upon these aspects,” says Ravi Basrur.
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Apart from the lead cast that includes Shithil Shetty, Nagashree G S, Prasanna Shettigar Mandarti, Uday Kadabaal, Ravindra Devadiga, Nagaraj Servegar, Gunashree M Nayak, Shridhar Kasarkodu, Shwetha Arehole, and Prajwal Kinnal, Ravi Basrur has also got 400-odd Yakshagana artists on board. There’s also a special appearance by Century Star Shivarajkumar as Nadaprabhu Puttaswamy. “I needed an actor of Shivanna’s stature to ensure the film gets the reach it deserves. He shot for 4 days, and in that time, he made it a point to understand the nuances of Yakshagana and then perform his role,” adds Ravi.
Despite the film’s artistic treatment, the composer-filmmaker says that there are enough commercial elements to ensure that it appeals to younger audiences too, especially those outside of the Karavalli belt, where Yakshagana is not as popular. Ravi will not release a trailer prior to the film’s theatrical outing, to ensure audiences remain intrigued about it. His promise, meanwhile, is that Veera Chandrahasa will be a theatrical experience.