When Karan Johar and Karthik Subbaraj picked this Kannada film as their 2023 favourite

Hemanth M Rao's Sapta Sagaradaache Ello has evidently transcended linguistic borders and found admirers from all across the country. The latest to join this ever-growing list of fans of the film is none other than Karan Johar himself, who sang high praise for the film during a recent interview.

The 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' director was part of Film Companion's panel of best filmmakers of the year which, incidentally, also included Hemanth Rao. When host Anupama Chopra posed everyone with the task of picking one Indian film from 2023 that moved or inspired them, Karan Johar had no qualms in naming Sapta Sagaradaache Side A and Side B, collectively, as his pick.

"To me, it was a heartbreaking love story. It was also so emotionally fulfilling and I love that the film begins with a love story. And when it ended, it really felt like I had a stone on my heart at the time. I was then waiting and waiting (for Side B) and he (Hemanth M Rao) sent me the link and I felt very complete," said Karan Johar in the interview.

Also Read: Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A review: Hemanth M Rao's throbbing love story leaves you wanting more

Reciprocating this love for his film, Hemanth M Rao picked 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' as the film that he enjoyed this year, but not without disclosing that he hasn't had the chance to watch many films because of work. Hemanth would nevertheless highlight the superb dance sequence featuring Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury for the impact it had on him.

Interestingly, Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A was also the pick of 'Jigarthanda Double X' director Karthik Subbaraj, who was part of the panel along with fellow Tamil filmmakers Nelson ('Jailer') and Vetrimaaran ('Viduthalai Part 1'). Karthik Subbaraj shared that he has yet to watch 'Side B' of the Kannada film because 'Side A' was "more than enough for him".

Also Read: Team Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Exclusive | 'You learn how to love & emote through cinema'

Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A, starring Rakshit Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth, arrived in cinemas on September 1 to positive reviews and soon enough, the film would be dubbed and released in Telugu as 'Sapta Sagaraalu Dhaati'. Citing the demand for Side B, the makers would simultaneously release the second instalment in theatres (on November 17) in four different languages.