Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 30: The much-anticipated Kannada film School Leader, directed by award-winning filmmaker Razak Puttur and produced by K Sathyendra Pai under the Sun Matrix banner, is all set to release across coastal Karnataka on May 30.

The film has already generated considerable buzz among cine-goers, with the trailer and the catchy song ‘Otu Otu’ trending across social media platforms. With a fresh concept and a unique blend of entertainment and message, School Leader promises to be a wholesome watch for audiences of all age groups.

Following the success of Gandhadakudi, which bagged 22 international awards, producer K Sathyendra Pai has once again backed strong content-driven cinema. Director Razak Puttur, known for his previous film Pencil Box, has donned multiple hats for School Leader—as writer, lyricist, screenwriter, and director. He is also the recipient of the 2019 State Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Pencil Box.

School Leader explores the theme of leadership and mental development among high school students, with a focus on their academic and emotional journey. Set against the backdrop of school elections, the film captures the spirit of student life with a perfect balance of seriousness and humour.

Shot entirely in a single school in Katapady, the film features over 120 students from 25 schools, making it one of the most ambitious school-based productions in recent times.

Adding to the film’s appeal is its stellar cast, with popular Tulu comedy veterans like Arvind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, and Deepak Rai Panaje bringing their signature humour to the screen. Senior Kannada actor Ramesh Bhatt plays a key serious role, adding depth to the narrative.

The film also boasts a talented technical crew with Mohan Padre handling cinematography, Jayakarthi composing the music, Sachin Ram in charge of editing, and Ashish Anchan choreographing the sequences. The co-director is Akshat Vitla, while Sudarshan Shankar and M M Vimal serve as co-producers.

Noted dramatist Nagesh Kamath Katapady, known for his work with the Three Muthu drama troupe, supervised the production and makes a special appearance in the film.

At a press conference held ahead of the film’s release, director Razak Puttur expressed confidence that School Leader will strike a chord with audiences for its meaningful message delivered through engaging storytelling.

Present at the meet were producer K Sathyendra Pai, co-producer and actor Sudarshan Shankar, distributor Balakrishna Shetty, co-director Akshat Vitla, and cinematographer Mohan Pade.