4 Controversial Kannada Movies That Sparked Huge Debates

Ansgar
July 30, 2025
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Kannada cinema, which is popularly known as Sandalwood, has witnessed a fair share of controversies like other film industries over the decades. While most films usually aim to entertain, a few have stirred a lot of public debates, faced political backlash, or challenged societal norms. Mostly these controversial films often create headlines even before their initial release and leave a lasting impression on the audience forever. Here’s a look at 4 Controversial Kannada Movies That Sparked Huge Debates beyond karnataka.

Controversial Movies

Uppi 2 Released in 2015

The iconic movie directed by and starring the multi-talented Upendra. The movie Uppi 2 created a buzz for its complex storyline and deep philosophical message throughout the scenes. While the film wasn’t exactly controversial in terms of content and dialogues, it attracted criticism for being too much of confusing and overly abstract.

Literally the movie encourages viewers to live in the present and let go of the past and even the future. During the release of Uppi 2, many fans and movie critics debated the meaning of the film. At the same time some hailed it as a masterpiece of art, while others called it an intellectual mess. Truly the unconventional narrative challenged the usual norms of commercial cinema in Kannada, which sparked heated discussions online and in the media.

Rama Rama Re… Released in 2016

Rama Rama Re… is a road drama Kannada film directed by D Satya Prakash. The entire film revolves around a prisoner sentenced death row prisoner and a retired hangman. But actually what made the film more controversial was its bold talk on capital punishment and redemption.

The movie shows the very human side of people who sentenced to death penalty and also indirectly questions the justice system. Although the movie is critically acclaimed, certain conservative groups criticized the movie and its making for being sympathetic towards criminals who done something wrong. Despite the backlash, the film received awards and cemented its place in Kannada cinema as a bold and thought-provoking story.

Hebbuli Released in 2017

Starring the legendary actor Kichcha Sudeep in the lead role, the movie Hebbuli was a commercial success but also attracted controversy due to its political talk. The entire movie moves around a para-commando officer who investigates the mysterious death of his brother, who was a government doctor.

At the time of initial release, some politicians and bureaucrats felt that Hebbuli unfairly portrayed the health sector and government corruption. The dialogues placed in many scenes criticizing the system triggered debates in the media all over india. However, the makers clarified that the film aimed to highlight issues, not target a specific individuals or departments related to government. Despite the noise, Hebbuli struck a chord with the masses.

Harivu Released in 2014

Directed by Mansore, the movie Harivu was inspired by a real-life incident which happened really in Bangalore. It tells about the heartbreaking story of a poor farmer. The farmer who loses his child and struggles to take back the body to his village where he lives. The film explores the indifference of the healthcare system and the issues faced by the migrants.

The initial release of the film sparked an outrage among very certain sections of society who felt exposed by its raw and emotional narrative. While Harivu didn’t face bans or protests at the time of release, it deeply unsettled viewers with its brutal honesty and straight forward dialogues. And this makes this movie as one of the 4 Controversial Kannada Movies That Sparked Huge Debates.