Nirmala Sitharaman watches 'Kantara'; Goel all praise for low budget blockbuster

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman watched 'Kantara' blockbuster movie in a Bengaluru theatre and lauded the director of the film. Whereas, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asked the industry captains to take note how the low budget film is making waves in commercial segment.

Bengaluru:Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman watched 'Kantara', the small budget blockbuster movie, in Bengaluru city here and lauded the director of the film. The grand success of the low budget movie also came in for praise from Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the inaugural ceremony of the three-day Global Investors' Meet (GIM) here.

Goyal was so impressed by the movie that he asked the industry leaders to take note of the success of Kantara. Goyal referred to the movie while recalled his interaction with tycoons of the world's Fortune 500 companies and how they looked at Karnataka and Bengaluru to expand their businesses.

"Considering Fortune 500 companies and the way they are looking to expand their operations in and around Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, I almost felt it was like a rerun of the movie Kantara," Goyal said amid thunderous applause and a hearty laugh from the audience. He said the movie was made with a very small investment showcasing indigenous an art form of Karnataka. The flick has been making waves in the commercial and critical spheres.

"While I knew it was a super hit, a blockbuster, the Chief Minister (Basavaraj Bommai) told me it has already crossed nearly 20 times of what they had invested in that movie. They have crossed Rs 300 crore against the investment of, I think, Rs 16 crore. I think it should be noted by all the captains of the industry here," the Union Minister said.

According to Goyal, the ecosystem that has been created in Karnataka for trade and industries will continue to attract more and more people to invest in the state. Nirmala Sitharaman who was also on the dais, when Goyal made the reference, watched the movie later in the evening with BJP and RSS workers.

Later, she tweeted, "with a team of volunteers and well-wishers watched #KantaraMovie in Bengaluru. Well made @shetty_rishab (writer/director/actor). The film captures the rich traditions of Tuluvanadu and Karavali." She rang up Rishab Shetty and appreciated the film, BJP leaders said.