Kannada film ‘Vagachipani’ (Tiger Pond) wins Special Jury Mention at Spirit of Fire Festival, headed by Emir Kusturica

Natesh Hegde’s sophomore film ‘Vagachipani’ (Tiger Pond), co-produced by Anurag Kashyap and starring Dileesh Pothan and Achyuth Kumar, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival

Filmmaker Natesh Hegde’s Kannada film Vagachipani (Tiger Pond)has won the Special Jury Mention Award at the Spirit of Fire Festival, headed by Emir Kusturica. The festival was held in the Russian town of Khanty-Mhanisysk.

Vagachipani premiered at the Berlin International Festival in February 2025. The film is produced by popular Hindi filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, Singapore-based producer Jeremy Chua and Ranjan Singh (Cannes selection Kennedy).

“It feels amazing to be invited to the festival and get the Special Jury Prize,” said Ranjan Singh. “We’re thrilled that the film is being acknowledged well and Natesh could meet Kusturica and discuss about the film.”

Ranjan spoke about the film’s selection to the festival. “They watched the film after the Berlin announcement happened. So we got the invite when we where in Berlin for the premiere. Peter Shepotinnik was the programming Head. He is in love with the film,” he said.

Set in Mavinakatta in Sirsi, a small town located in the Western Ghats, Vagachipani is touted to be a crime drama exploring the nefarious confluence of faith, caste, and political power. The movie stars Malayalam actor-director Dileesh Pothan, seasoned Kannada actor Achyuth Kumar and Gopal Hegde, father of Natesh.

“I told Kasturica he is one of the reason for me to become a filmmaker,” said Natesh about his interaction with the Serbian filmmaker. “He smiled and said ‘thank you brother’ in his peculiar voice.”

ALSO READ:Anurag Kashyap: I’ve left Mumbai, Hindi film industry became too toxic