“To make a great film you need three things: the script, the script and the script.” – Alfred Hitchcock.
However, independent filmmakers might argue there’s a fourth: ensuring the audience knows the film exists. Making the film is only half the journey. The greater challenge often begins after the final cut, when the question shifts from “How do we make this film?” to “How do we make sure people watch it?” Bangalore-based Roadside Rambling Films is attempting to answer that question by rethinking the playbook of independent filmmaking.
For most independent filmmakers, the biggest fear isn’t making a bad film. It’s making a good one that no one ever discovers. Across Karnataka, many independent productions struggle not because of the quality of their work, but because of the challenge of distribution. As conversations around the future of independent Kannada cinema continue to evolve, Roadside Rambling Films is quietly exploring a different approach.
Founded with the vision of producing independent Kannada films outside the conventions of mainstream cinema, Roadside Rambling Films made its feature debut with Chashma, an independent conversational thriller that premiered on VDO Jar, an emerging OTT platform dedicated to independent Indian cinema.
Instead of entering the uncertain cycle of securing a theatrical release before eventually finding a streaming platform, the team chose to premiere the film directly on VDO Jar. It was a decision that reflected both the studio’s creative philosophy and long-term vision, allowing the team to focus on what mattered most: ensuring the story reached its audience.According to the studio, Chashma recovered its production cost through its digital release, showing that carefully budgeted independent films can achieve commercial viability without relying entirely on traditional distribution channels. At a time when conversations around independent Kannada cinema are often dominated by questions of survival, Chashma offers a practical example of how thoughtful planning, disciplined budgeting, and alternative distribution can help independent filmmakers continue telling original stories.
Its impact extends beyond a single film. Across India’s independent film ecosystem, filmmakers are increasingly looking for new ways to produce, distribute, and monetise regional stories without depending entirely on conventional industry structures.
Roadside Rambling Films reflects this growing shift, where success is measured not only by box office numbers but also by building a repeatable model for independent filmmaking.
For Roadside Rambling Films, independent cinema is defined less by the size of its budget than by the strength of its storytelling. The studio believes compelling narratives, authentic performances, and disciplined production can go hand in hand with responsible filmmaking. Its collaboration with VDO Jar has also shown how specialised OTT platforms can give independent films a dedicated home, helping creators connect directly with audiences while expanding the possibilities of digital distribution.
Beyond producing films, Roadside Rambling Films sees itself as part of a broader effort to strengthen Karnataka’s independent film ecosystem. The studio believes meaningful cinema is built through lasting collaborations between writers, directors, actors, technicians, and distribution partners. Rather than treating every project as a standalone venture, the emphasis is on building creative relationships that grow with every film.That philosophy is reflected in the people behind the studio. Roadside Rambling Films is led by writer, producer, and actor Samarth Narayan, who also played the lead protagonist in Chashma. Alongside him, director and co-producer Prasanna Shetty played an instrumental role in bringing the studio’s debut feature to life.
The creative partnerships established during Chashma continue to shape the studio’s future. Sheetal Singh, the female lead of Chashma, is set to reunite with the team for its upcoming feature, Winter. Veteran actor Gururaj Shetty, who portrayed the film’s principal antagonist, brought experience and gravitas to the production, while core team members Vignesh Poojary and Shivraj continue to contribute to the studio’s creative and production initiatives.
Building on the momentum of Chashma, the studio is currently developing three new projects—Winter, Six Months Notice, and Roulette. Continuing its belief in alternative distribution models, two of these films are also being developed in collaboration with VDO Jar for direct digital release, reinforcing the studio’s confidence in the platform and its long-term vision for independent storytelling.
For Roadside Rambling Films, Chashma represents far more than the success of a single film. It demonstrates that independent filmmaking can be approached not just as a creative pursuit, but as a thoughtful business built on planning, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. As India’s entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the studio hopes its journey encourages more regional filmmakers to explore new distribution models, build meaningful collaborations, and continue telling original stories without being constrained by traditional industry pathways.
After all, the goal was never simply to make a film. It was to build a model where both the story and the studio could have a future.
