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🎬 The Seven Odds of Sandalwood: The Creative Rebels Behind Kannada Cinema’s Revival

In a landscape often dominated by commercial formulas, The Seven Odds—a unique collective of young screenwriters—are rewriting the playbook for Kannada cinema. This visionary team, led by the mentorship of Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty, is the force behind some of Sandalwood’s most innovative and beloved films of the last decade.


🌟 Who Are The Seven Odds?


  • Rakshit Shetty

  • Rishab Shetty

  • Abhijith Mahesh

  • Kiran Yakssha

  • Dhananjay Ranjan

  • Kiranraj K.

  • P. B. Chandrajith


🎞️ The Odd Portfolio – Filmography and Milestones

🎓 Kirik Party (2016)

The debut project of the team (then six members) under Paramvah Studios.

  • A nostalgic college entertainer aimed at engineering students.

  • Ran for 250+ days in 15+ theatres, 365 days in multiplexes.

  • Became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time.

  • Remade in Telugu as Kirrak Party.

🏰 Avane Srimannarayana (2019)

With Kiran Yakssha now part of the team, this period-fantasy featured world-building rarely seen in regional cinema.

  • Received acclaim for writing, character design, and creativity.

  • A turning point for Rakshit Shetty as both an actor and visionary.

🧩 Katha Sangama (2019)

An anthology film tribute to Puttanna Kanagal, where each member contributed unique narratives.

  • Showcased their range in genres and tones.

  • Critically appreciated for its concept and cinematic variety.

🐾 777 Charlie (2022)

Directed and written by Kiranraj K., this film tackled themes of loneliness, redemption, and companionship through a man–dog relationship.

  • Massive box office success.

  • Won Best Feature Film in Kannada at the 69th National Film Awards.

  • Applauded for its emotional core and social commentary.


🧠 Rakshit Shetty – Mentor, Innovator, Visionary

An engineer-turned-actor-filmmaker, Rakshit Shetty is the fulcrum of the Seven Odds.

  • Breakout works: Simpallagi Ondh Love Story, Ulidavaru Kandanthe, Kirik Party.

  • Has written, acted in, and produced films under Paramvah Studios.

  • Known for elevating Kannada cinema with layered characters and non-linear narratives.


🎤 Notable Members and Individual Projects

🎥 Rishab Shetty

  • Became a national name after Kantara (2022).

  • Was instrumental in shaping Kirik Party’s soul.

  • Balances acting and directing with equal finesse.

📝 Dhananjay Ranjan

  • Known for poetic dialogues and emotional weight, especially in Kirik Party.

  • Contributes significantly to character arcs and screenplay cohesion.

✍️ Abhijith Mahesh

  • Core screenwriter, especially strong with structure and conflict design.

  • Co-writer in Katha Sangama and other collaborative projects.

🌌 Kiran Yakssha

  • Joined for Avane Srimannarayana.

  • Known for philosophical undertones and narrative complexity.

🎬 Kiranraj K.

  • Made directorial debut with 777 Charlie.

  • Widely recognized as one of Kannada cinema’s most empathetic and soulful storytellers.

P. B. Chandrajith – The Poetic Realist

  • Made directorial debut with Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali (2024), produced by Rakshit Shetty.

  • A chapter-wise slow-burn romance, appreciated for visual beauty and ethereal storytelling.

  • Critics praised it as a “fairy tale-like romantic drama” (The Hindu), while audiences applauded its cinematic craft.

  • Establishes Chandrajith as a new-age director to watch.


💥 Impact on Kannada Cinema

The Seven Odds didn’t just create films—they sparked a movement.

  • They proved collaboration > hierarchy in storytelling.

  • They embraced indie aesthetics while delivering mass appeal.

  • They infused Sandalwood with a fresh literary and cinematic voice, drawing younger audiences back to theatres.


📝 Final Thoughts

From nostalgic campus tales to emotional human-animal bonds, from fantasy epics to poetic romance, The Seven Odds are the most influential writing team in modern Kannada cinema. Their collective power lies in diverse styles, shared vision, and fearless originality.

As they continue to create, dream, and inspire—Sandalwood will never be the same again.

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