Film city proposed for Kalaburagi and Hubballi to promote regional cinema

In a major push for the Kannada film industry and the promotion of the regional language, Mahaboob Pasha, chairman of Sri Kanteerava Studios Limited, announced a proposal to establish Film Cities in Kalaburagi and Hubballi.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Mr. Pasha revealed that a formal request had been submitted to the Kalaburagi district administration for the allotment of at least 50 acres of land for establishing a film city. He expressed confidence in the project’s progress, noting that Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum had responded positively to the proposal.

The envisioned film cities in Kalaburagi and Hubballi are intended to be smaller-scale models of the iconic Sri Kanteerava Studios in Bengaluru. According to Mr. Pasha, the primary objective was to provide a dedicated platform for local talent. Mr. Pasha said that the authorities were also planning to establish film studios in Vijayanagara, Chitradurga, and Shivamogga to ensure a wider reach across the State.

Mr. Pasha highlighted that, beyond nurturing artists, the establishment of the film hubs would significantly boost local trade, encourage tourism, and play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the Kannada language.

Government OTT Platform

In another significant development for the industry, Mr. Pasha announced that the State’s own Over-the-Top (OTT) platform was set to be launched by the end of January or in the first week of February 2026. The initiative, which was declared in the 2025-26 budget, aims to provide a global stage for local art, literature-based cinema, and short films, he said.

“With this launch, Karnataka will become the third entity in India to operate a government-backed OTT platform, following the footsteps of Kerala and the Union government. Several high-level meetings have been conducted to finalise the technicalities of the platform,” Mr. Pasha said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Pasha met with Ms. Taranum to formally submit a memorandum requesting the sanction of 50 acres of land for the Kalaburagi Film City project.