With 155 films hitting the big screen, Tulu cinema completes 55 years on February 19

With 155 Tulu cinemas hitting the big screen, Tulu cinema will complete 55 years on February 19, Thursday.

The very first Tulu film Enna Tangadi (My Sister) released in Mangaluru on February 19, 1971, was produced and directed by S.R. Rajan.

In addition to Mr. Rajan, other people, K.N. Tailor, T. A. Srinivas, Sundar Karkera, Anand Shekar, Narayan Putran, Aroor Pattabhi, K. B. Bhandary, A. Vishwanath and Malpe Madhwaraj laid the foundation for the growth of Tulu cinema. Later, several others, including Richard Castelino of Mangaluru, contributed for the growth of Tulu cinema.

Mr. Castelino who entered the cinema industry prominently as producer and director further lifted the Tulu cinema bringing the first national award to Tulu cinema. In addition to Kannada and Tulu, Mr. Castelino also made feature films in Konkani and Kodava.

Hence, Mr. Castelino, who was awarded the Karnataka government’s prestigious Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award for lifetime achievement in the cinema industry last year, stands distinct in making and promoting regional language cinemas when Tulu cinema is marching ahead.

First National Award

Tulu cinema drew national attention when Bangar Patler produced and directed by Mr. Castelino won two national awards (Rajata Kamala) as ‘Best Feature Film in Tulu’ at the 41st National Film Festival in 1994. Mr. Castelino won the award as the Best Director and Best Producer. It became the first-ever national award for a Tulu feature film. This cinema was released on April 23, 1993, as the 25th Tulu cinema.

Bangar Patler also bagged the Karnataka’s Special Regional Language Film Award for 1992-93. It was also Tulu’s first Eastman Colour and Cinema Scope cinema.

Bangar Patler took Tulu cinema to new heights as it was screened for 105 days, in the then Jyothi theatre in Mangaluru, of which 55 were house full shows.

Mr. Castelino also shot the September 8 Tulu film in 24 hours. It was released on May 7, 1994, as the 26^th Tulu cinema after Bangar Patler. This cinema, also directed by Mr. Castelino, too set a record as the first Tulu cinema shot in 24 hours.

Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award

Mr. Castelino also takes the credit of first cinema maker and director of the coastal Karnataka and Tulu cinema industry to get the Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award for the year 2019. He received the award from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a function in Mysuru on November 3, 2025.

The Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award, Dr. Rajkumar Award and Dr. Puttanna Kanagal Award are the three prestigious awards instituted by Karnataka Government to recognise achievers of Karnataka cinema industry.

Earlier, Mr. Castelino also received K.N. Tailor Award on March 3, 2016, from the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy for his lifetime achievement in Tulu cinema industry.

Other films

Mr. Castelino did produce two Konkani films (Bogsane and Kajar) and a Kodava film (Ponnamma). In addition, he made Kannada cinemas like Ellellu Neene Nannallu Neene and Shale.

“With ample stories available, Tulu cinema industry can grow further,” Mr. Castelino told The Hindu on the occasion of Tulu cinema crossing its 55th year.

Thamma Lakshmana, a senior art director, said that Tulu cinema bagged seven national awards and 18 Karnataka government awards in its journey so far.

“About 10 Tulu cinemas are waiting to be released,” Mr. Lakshmana said.