Bengaluru: Several Kannada films released in 2015 did well at the box office, especially receiving appreciation by the Indian Diaspora in the US. For a long time, the sandalwood industry was ensuring to do well only in the state. In 2015, as many as 14 films were released in the US wooing overseas audiences.

A trade source in the US said, “Around 14 films from Sandalwood released in the US, which collectively grossed approximately $420,000 (about Rs 2.7 cr.). RangiTaranga and Uppi2 were two films in particular that did extremely well, which encouraged more makers to release their films here. We’re expecting the number of films to increase in 2016.”

According to exhibitors in the US, is that two films from Sandalwood – Care of Footpath 2 and RangiTaranga — have made it to the initial list of contenders for the Academy Awards, which has made Kannada NRI film lovers to support the industry.

Other films that released in US last year included Aatagara, Plus, Mr Airavathaa and Care of Footpath 2.

“Earlier, Kannada films would have stray screenings for a day or two, which would be sponsored by one of the Kannada Kootas in America and would have their members buying tickets and travelling to the hall”, an exhibitor in the US told sources.

“This year saw a change in the approach to the US market. Big credit goes to the RangiTaranga team, as the film released in over 40 locations and a majority of the money made in the collective earnings for the year by Sandalwood in the US belongs to the film. Uppi2 also released in around 25 locations. Teams from these films, as well as others, made an effort to connect with Kannadigas and the audience living here by visiting these locations, which has encouraged people to watch the films,” says an exhibitor in the US.”