Rocking Star Yash was FIRST CHOICE for KGF's Rocky Bhai, but...

Rocking Star Yash’s KGF franchise transformed the Kannada Film Industry, propelling Sandalwood from a regional circuit to global fame. Undoubtedly, KGF broke language barriers, drew massive audiences worldwide, and put Kannada cinema alongside Bollywood and other South Indian industries. Yash, as Rocky Bhai, became a national icon and one of India’s biggest stars.

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However, according to a recent media buzz, before locking Yash to play Rocky Bhai in the KGF franchise, the makers approached a big star.

During an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, Chaluve Gowda, co-founder of Hombale Films and producer of hits like KGF and Kantara, said that audiences in the North are now more aware of Kannada cinema. He noted that the perception and response towards their films have significantly changed in recent years, thanks to their blockbuster successes.

He said, "We went to a big star for KGF years ago. They asked, 'Where do these Kannada films even run?' At that time, not many people knew about Kannada films outside of Karnataka. They knew a few names like Dr Rajkumar, Puneeth, or (Kiccha) Sudeep. But that was it. That has definitely changed now."

However, later the team clarified that the circulating rumours are incorrect.

As per their clarification, "We have a long-standing partnership with Yash, longer than with any other actor we are currently working with. Moreover, Yash is part of our family. KGF was envisioned with Yash in mind, and for us, he will always be our Rocky Bhai. Hence, any reports or rumours claiming that Yash was not the first choice for KGF are incorrect. We have not made any such comments."

KFI's Global Success

KGF: Chapter 1 became the first Kannada film to cross the Rs 250 crore mark globally, holding the title of highest-grossing Kannada film at the time. Its sequel, KGF: Chapter 2 (2022), shattered records with an estimated worldwide gross between Rs 1,200 crore and Rs 1,250 crore, solidifying its place as the highest-grossing Kannada film ever.

The overwhelming success of the KGF series spurred Kannada filmmakers to embrace ambitious, large-scale productions, multi-language releases, and international distribution, demonstrating that stories deeply rooted in Karnataka could resonate on a global scale.

Must Read: Yash fulfilling his 'KGF aspirations' through Toxic before KGF: Chapter 3!

As for the Kantara franchise, Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for a late-2025 theatrical release, continuing the trend of high-volume, multi-language storytelling. Meanwhile, makers of KGF: Chapter 3 are indeed exploring future plans, though details remain tightly under wraps.