Latest news with #JungleMangal
New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Rakshit Kumar: Writing felt limiting, so I chose direction to tell my stories
For Rakshit Kumar, storytelling runs in his blood. His grandfather was a Yakshagana artist, and Rakshit grew up listening to his stories. 'Those stories sparked something in me, and I always wanted to tell stories. But as a writer, I feared my reach would be limited. Filmmaking felt like a way to connect with more people, and that thought lead me to take the director's path,' says the debutant ahead of his film Jungle Mangal's release on June 4. Though Jungle Mangal marks his directorial debut, Rakshit spent over a decade learning the craft. Originally from Puttur and with a Tulu-speaking background, he worked as an assistant and associate on several Kannada films before finding his own voice. He credits the late novelist and writer Poornachandra Tejaswi as a major influence: 'His descriptions of nature and his unique narrative style stayed with me. I wanted to bring that depth and rootedness into my film.'
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Jungle Mangal, a unique tale from Malnad, sets release date
Jungle Mangal, directed by debutant Rakshit Kumar, and starring Yash Shetty and Harshitha Ramachandra in the lead roles, is set for release on July 4. The makers recently released the film's trailer. Yash Shetty remarked that, although he doesn't aim to be a 'hero,' the strength of the story compelled him to play the lead. Director Rakshit Kumar revealed that Yogaraj Bhat suggested the title Jungle Mangal after watching the trailer, and Simple Suni offered to present the film under his Suni Cinemas banner. Rakshit, who has worked in Kannada and Tulu cinema for over a decade, makes his directorial debut with this project. The film is produced under Sahyadri Studios by Prajeeth Hegde and editor-turned-producer Manu Shedgar. Jungle Mangal is set against the backdrop of the semi-Malnad region. The cast also includes Ugram Manju in a negative role and Bal Rajawadi in a key role.
