This Rs 70 Lakh Kannada Film Made 100x Profit And Faced IT Raid After Success
The romantic drama was so successful that it was remade in multiple languages, including Telugu, Bengali and Marathi.
In today's time, many high-budget films have failed to impress the audience. Despite the involvement of an ensemble cast, outstanding visuals, music and massive promotional activities, many recent movies have flopped at the Indian box office, proving that big-budget doesn't guarantee success. The reason behind this can be attributed to weak scripts and a gap between the audience's taste and that of the filmmakers.
But every now and then, a small budget film comes along and rewrites the rules. One such classic hit was the 2006 Kannada movie Mungaru Male. Co-written and directed by Yograj Bhat, the romantic drama featured then-unknown actors Ganesh and Pooja Gandhi, alongside veteran actor Anant Nag. Made on a mere Rs 70 lakh, the film earned over a hundred times its budget.
Mungaru Male Grossed Over Rs 75 Crore
Released in theatres in December 2006, Mungaru Male was a sleeper hit, becoming the first film to run in PVR Bangalore for 460 days, making it the first to be screened continuously for over one year in a multiplex. Back then, it recorded the highest box office collection for any Kannada film and was the first one in the language to cross the Rs 50 crore mark worldwide. By the end of its theatrical run, Mungaru Male grossed over Rs 75 crore, around Rs 57 crore of which came from Karnataka alone.
Mungaru Male changed the lives of the lead stars Ganesh and Pooja Gandhi. Their lives turned overnight following the success of the film. They bagged several projects in the coming years, thus becoming some of the most sought-after actors, who ruled the Kannada cinema.
Mungaru Male's Producer Faced IT Department Scrutiny
Despite Mungaru Male becoming a success and changing the trajectory of both the stars, it was a bittersweet moment for the film's producer, E. Krishnappa. Following the film's success, the Income Tax Department raided the producer, who claimed that the film earned Rs 67.50 crore net and demanded taxes accordingly.
Mungaru Male's Story And Remakes
The story of Mungaru Male revolves around Preetham (Ganesh) and Nandini (Pooja Gandhi). He meets her in Bangalore and instantly falls in love with her. Soon, he learns that she is engaged to someone else. After initially rejecting his proposal, she falls for him as well. Despite their feelings for each other, Preetham lets Nandini marry her fiancé Gautam as per her parents' wish. The film was such a hit that it was remade in multiple languages. In 2008, the Telugu version Vaana and the Bengali version Premier Kahini were released. The following year, the Odia version of the film, titled Romeo – The Lover Boy, and in 2017, Premay Namaha, a Marathi-language remake, hit the theatres. Moreover, a spiritual sequel to the 2006 hit, titled Mungaru Male 2, was released in 2016. The original film is now available on JioHostar.
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Loading comments...
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a few seconds ago
- Time of India
Even after 25 years, I feel I am just starting out: Raghu Dixit
When musician Raghu Dixit looks back at his 25 years in music, he doesn't dwell on accolades or milestones. Instead, he reflects on a journey of self-discovery. 'So much time, so little accomplished, so much to do,' he laughs. For Raghu, his early years as a musician were all about living the dream of being a rock star; commanding the stage, thrilling audiences, and enjoying the adrenaline rush. But somewhere along the way, he felt like the purpose was missing, he admits. That clarity only came in recent years. 'I had to ask myself why to keep playing the same songs again and again? What gives it meaning? Finding that purpose changed everything. It gave me new energy to step on stage without feeling jaded,' he tells us. Not many musicians sustain for 25 years. The fact that my music still matters is a beautiful feat - Raghu Dixit 'Now, it's about making up for the lost time' This sense of purpose reshaped his life, both personally and professionally, he tells us and adds that he had to cut out the noise, keep a smaller circle of people, and devoting himself to 'meaningful collaborations'. 'A lot of time was wasted in the last 25 years. Now it's about making up for lost time and creating music that lasts,' he says. For Raghu, his journey has been marked by defining moments, as he recalls his very first show with his band Eclipse. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo 'It was also the day my father passed away. After the funeral, I was ready to cancel, but my mother insisted I perform. She told me, 'Do what you have to do, then come back and we'll grieve together.' That one push shaped my lifelong commitment to the stage. Years later, when my mother also passed away, I finished the funeral in the morning, came to Bengaluru from Mysuru for a show, and went back for the rest of the rituals,' he reveals. A throwback from 1993: Raghu's first band, Eclipse, performing on the evening his father passed away. 'I stepped on stage with a cap over my freshly shaven head, carrying him with me,' says Raghu 'The last 25 years were just the prelude. The journey starts today' From his breakout in 2008 with his debut album and the soundtrack for the Kannada movie Psycho, to today Raghu sees longevity as one of his proudest achievements. 'Not many musicians sustain for 25 years. The fact that my music still matters is a beautiful accomplishment.' Humbled by mistakes, grateful for his fans, and excited for the road ahead, Raghu Dixit believes the real story is only just beginning. 'The last 25 years were just the prelude. The true journey starts today,' he shares. "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
India.com
a few seconds ago
- India.com
Akkineni Nagarjuna or Soubin Shahir, which villain of Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan starrer Coolie has more net worth, the winner is...
Rajinikanth's latest cinematic venture, Coolie, has taken the box office by storm. Released on August 14, 2025, and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film features Rajinikanth as a former coolie union leader entangled in a web of crime and revenge. With star-studded cast including Shruti Haasan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj and Aamir Khan. Coolie has captivated audiences, grossing over Rs 404 crore worldwide and setting new records in Tamil cinema. The Villains of Coolie: Nagarjuna vs. Soubin Shahir Among the film's ensemble, Nagarjuna as Simon and Soubin Shahir as Dhayalan stand out for their compelling portrayals of antagonists. Nagarjuna, a veteran of Telugu cinema, brings depth to his role, while Soubin Shahir, known for his work in Malayalam films, delivers a performance that has been widely praised. Their portrayals add depth to the narrative, prompting fans to delve into the real-life personas and assets of these two accomplished actors. Let's take a look at the net worth of these two actors. How much wealth does Soubin Shahir have? As per reports, Soubin Shahir has charged Rs 1 crore for his role in Coolie. Beyond acting, he is also a producer and owns a production house named Parava Films, which is best known for producing films like Parava, Manjummel Boys, and Ela Veezha Poonchira. Riding high on the success of Coolie, Soubin recently purchased a luxury BMW-XM valued at Rs 2 crore. According to a report by his estimated net worth stands at around Rs 29 crore. How much wealth does Akkineni Nagarjuna have?
Pink Villa
a few seconds ago
- Pink Villa
KING100: Nagarjuna Akkineni confirms his next film after Coolie will be a family action drama, says ‘I am the protagonist…'
Nagarjuna Akkineni is creating quite a buzz after appearing as the antagonist in the Rajinikanth starrer Coolie. Following the theatrical run of the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial, the actor has confirmed his next movie, tentatively titled KING100. Nagarjuna Akkineni on his 100th movie In a conversation on the ZEE Telugu TV show Jayammu Nischayammu Raa with Jagapathi, Nagarjuna Akkineni opened up about his upcoming movie, emphasizing that he will be playing the protagonist this time. In his own words, 'KING100… It has been in the making for like 6-7 months. Ra Karthik is directing the film; he's a Tamil director, and he narrated me the story almost a year ago.' 'It will be a grand film. Now that Coolie has been released, I will start working on it, and my next release will be KING100. It's a nice action, family drama movie,' Nagarjuna added. (loosely translated from Telugu). As the veteran star has recently appeared in movies like Coolie and Kuberaa as a co-lead, he concluded, 'I just want to make it clear that this time, I will be the protagonist.' Who is Ra Karthik? For those unaware, Ra Karthik is the Tamil director who previously helmed the Ashok Selvan starrer Nitham Oru Vaanam. The film, which featured the Thug Life actor in a triple role, also starred Ritu Varma, Aparna Balamurali, and Shivathmika Rajashekar as co-leads. The story revolves around Arjun, a youngster suffering from OCD. After his wedding is called off, his doctor advises him to read true stories about two couples. Because of his condition, Arjun imagines himself as the protagonist in the stories and becomes frustrated when both tales end abruptly. In search of closure, Arjun embarks on a life-changing journey, one that even leads him to Shubha. The romantic drama is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Nagarjuna Akkineni's latest movie Nagarjuna Akkineni was last seen in Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, which was released on August 14, 2025. The action thriller tells the tale of Devaraja aka Deva, a former union leader who stayed in the shadows for over 30 years until the death of his friend Rajasekhar prompts him to resurface. Seeking revenge, Deva goes up against Simon Xavier, a kingpin involved in smuggling, someone with whom he shares a dark history. The clash between the two forms the central conflict of the story.
