What can happen at a gas station? A lot, as the teaser of acclaimed filmmaker Natesh Hegde’s Indian drama Vagachipani (Tiger’s Pond) glimpses everything waiting to explode. The makers of the Anurag Kashyap-backed crime drama launched their first visual unit and poster ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival‘s Forum strand on February 15. Kashyap, known for globally acclaimed titles like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Sacred Games (2018), and Kennedy, produced the film alongside Ranjan Singh and Singapore-based producer Jeremy Chua.
According to the filmmakers, Vagachipani follows the story of a cutthroat businessman of feudal heritage, who sets out to manipulate a local election, but his designs run up against the defiance of a street-smart, outcast villager. “It is such an honest and thrilling story,” Kashyap notes about the Kannada-language drama. “When I got a chance to onboard its journey, it was a very simple choice. Natesh’s storytelling is so effortless and fluid that it just transports you into the world where it’s happening. We are so happy that the film is premiering at Berlinale and hope that it’s liked as much globally thereafter,” the filmmaker-producer added.
Hegde, whose acclaimed 2021 drama Pedro was featured in the New Currents competition at the Busan International Film Festival, expressed his pride, revealing that Vagachipani participated in the festival’s Asian Project Market in 2022. He described it as an “emotional moment” for him and his village, who made the film possible. “Reportedly it’s the first-ever Kannada film to be invited by Berlinale. Suddenly I feel like the film became an individual entity and has begun its journey,” he said. “I’m thankful to Anurag Kashyap for his love, Jeremy Chua for standing by in this long journey, and Ranjan for being the support system. Without Rishab Shetty’s support, this film wouldn’t have gone to the floors. I would also like to thank my cast Dileesh Pothan, Achyut Kumar, Sumitra, and my Appa, Gopal Hegde, who have given wonderful performances. I hope the world discovers them soon,” he added.
Co-producer Ranjan Singh expressed his excitement, saying that it was an honor to collaborate with Hegde, calling him a “passionate filmmaker.” “We are so happy to join him on Vagachipani’s showcasing journey as it begins from Berlinale. We are confident that the film will resonate with audiences across the world,” Singh stated. Billed as a dark, lyrical crime drama with “rapturous textures and treacherous depths,” Vagachipani stars Dileesh Pothan, Achyut Kumar, Natesh, Gopal Hegde, Sumitra, Bindu Raxidi, Jahanghir MS, and Nagaraj Hegde.
The anticipation surrounding Anurag Kashyap’s Vagachipani is palpable, marking a significant milestone for Kannada cinema on an international stage. Its premiere at Berlinale signals a promising start, not just for the film but for the filmmakers behind it, potentially opening doors for further global recognition and audience engagement. As viewers look forward to its showcase in February, the excitement hints at an impactful narrative that holds the potential to captivate audiences worldwide.
