6 more movies; Coastalwood reaches century

Mangaluru: Tulu cinema is aiming for a century. It’s most recent release was ‘Dagalbajilu’ which was also its 94^th release. If another 6 movies get release, Coastalwood will score a century. Though the Tulu cinema is regional and contained to limited viewers, it is surprising to witness the success achieved by Tulu cinema and its ability to win over fans.

In comparison to last year, there was nothing celebratory for Tulu cinema in the mid-half of this year. This is so because the number of movies release this year were less. But, since there are many movies on the verge of release, it is true a new expectation has been rekindeled in Coastalwood.

In February, ‘Bale Pudar Deeka E Preetig’ was released and March saw the release of ‘Appe teacher’ and ‘Tottilu’ of which ‘Appe teacher’ achieved 100 days and thereby grabbed attention. The specialty is that woman groups protested against this movie. Later ‘Petkammi’, ‘Ammer Police’, ‘Paddayi’ followed by ‘Dagalbaji’ were released. This is the story so far and it is interesting to note that there are movies waiting to get released back to back.

There are many movies on the verge of release from next month including ‘Pammanne the Great’, ‘Pattis Gang’, ‘Year Ullerge’, ‘My Name Is Annappe’, ‘Katpadi Kattappe’, ‘Umil’, ‘Kori Rotti’, ‘Golmaal’, ‘Karne’, ‘Ekkuru’, ‘Jugari’, ‘Gant Kaluver’ and others.

It is not possible now to say which movie will see release when. But, since there is an example of two movies releasing on the same day in Mangaluru, it is difficult to predict which movie will release when which is itself is a curious thing.

By the by, the first Tulu movie ‘Yenna Tangadi’ which saw release in 1971 was released at Jyothi talkies in Mangaluru.

In 2014, the 50^th movie of Tulu cinema titled ‘Bhramashri Narayana Guruswami’ was also incidentally released at Jyothi talkies itself. In the initially 10 years of the industry, 17 movies were released. Its pace however slowed for the next 20 years which only saw the release of 15 movies. It was followed by a complete stop which lasted for 5 years with no release. But in 2006, the industry reemerged and by 2013, 14 movies were released. The 75^th movie of Costalwood was ‘Panoda Bodcha’.

It is worth nothing that it took 44 years for the release of the first 50 Tulu movies. But, in a span of 2-3 years, 30 movies were released!

Presently, Tulu cinema is approximately in its 46^th year. Through the release of a movie at a time, Tulu cinema is takin a stride forward. Tulu cinema has crossed its silver, ruby, golden, diamond, platinum celebrations i.e. 25^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th and 70^th movie and has now reached the 94^th movie ‘Dagalbajilu’ which is currently running in the cinemas.