Feel-good love stories return to Kannada cinema with Cult: Makers

Kannada cinema is all set to revisit softer, emotion-driven storytelling with Cult, releasing on January 23. Directed by Anil Kumar T M and produced by Cricket Loki under the Loki Cinemas banner, the film stars Zaid Khan, Rachita Ram, Malaika Vasupal and Rangayana Raghu, with music by Arjun Janya. Centred on Madhava, Cult traces the emotional evolution of love — from youthful intensity to the maturity that comes with distance, change and letting go. Anil describes the film as deeply character-driven and reveals that the script was written specifically with Zaid Khan in mind. “I wrote this script for Zaid. I wanted his character and performance to stay with the audience,” the director says, adding that the actor prepared extensively to explore the multiple emotional shades required for the role. Beyond romance, Cult reflects contemporary relationships, particularly among Gen Z, and speaks equally to parents navigating changing emotional landscapes. “This genre and style of film is something the Kannada industry hasn’t explored in a long time,” Anil notes. “We are missing feel-good love stories. Films like Mungaru Male, Googly or Mr and Mrs Ramachari quietly disappeared. Cult is an attempt to bring back that feeling.” “With the emphasis on emotion over spectacle, Cult hopes to reconnect audiences with a nostalgic romance — one that lingers through feelings rather than formula,” he adds.