Bengaluru, October 17, 2025:
The Pan-India wave has expanded the reach of Indian cinema — but it has also opened the door to unexpected challenges for regional filmmakers. One such issue has now struck the Kannada film industry, where two different films are clashing over the same title — “Vrishabha.”
Young Kannada director Umesh Hebbal, who has been working for nearly three years on his ambitious film Vrishabha, finds himself in a tight spot. The filmmaker — who also plays the lead and has produced the film on a large scale — was gearing up for release when he learned that Mohanlal’s Malayalam Pan-India film “Vrishabha”, directed by Nandakishore, is set to release on November 6, even in Kannada, using the same title.
🎬 Umesh Hebbal Speaks Out
Addressing the issue at a press meet, Umesh Hebbal expressed deep concern over what he calls an “unfair title takeover.”
“Vrishabha is my dream project. A year ago, we wrote to Ekta Kapoor’s company requesting the title, but they never responded. Later, through producer K. Manju, we contacted director Nandakishore, who assured us they weren’t releasing in Kannada. Based on that, we moved ahead with our release plans — and now, suddenly, their film is coming out in Kannada with the same name,” he said.
Umesh revealed that his team had legally registered and renewed the title Vrishabha with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), while the Malayalam production had not registered the title for Kannada use. The Chamber has since intervened and is reportedly in talks with the other production house to resolve the dispute.
🌾 A Farmer’s Story at the Core
Talking about his film’s theme, Umesh described Vrishabha as a story rooted in the strength and pride of rural Karnataka.
“Our story revolves around a strong-willed farmer with a bull-like personality. It’s not just about agriculture — it also touches upon the struggles of Kannada-medium schools and other social issues. The entire film’s message rests on the meaning of the title Vrishabha,” he explained.
He further added:
“A farmer isn’t just someone who works in the fields. If provoked, he won’t stay silent — he too has strength and pride. That’s the spirit our film celebrates.”
🎥 Crew and Production Details
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Creative Head: Raya Badiger
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Cinematography: Prashanth Sagar
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Music: Pranav
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Shoot Locations: 38 days in Mandya, 8 days in Bengaluru (Total 46 days)
The film is currently in its final post-production stage and was initially planned for a late 2025 release.
⚖️ Industry Awaits Film Chamber’s Verdict
With both versions of Vrishabha now in the spotlight, the Kannada film fraternity is urging the Film Chamber to take swift action to protect the rights of the original Kannada title holder.
This controversy has reignited discussions around title registration protocols and the growing need for better coordination between film industries in the Pan-India era.
All eyes are now on the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce as it works to bring clarity to the Vrishabha title clash that has shaken Sandalwood.
