The Kannada film industry is reeling in a year it produced its highest ever number of films. MiD DAY investigates what went wrong, and predicts things may get worse towards the end of the year

The Bangalore film industry is coming to the end of its worst year, and regular producers are blaming real estate businessmen for its plight.

A total of 105 films have been released in 2009 so far, the highest for any year, but only four have recovered their money and four others have earned profits.

Regular producers believe real estate tycoons who ventured into films ruined the industry for everyone.

N M Suresh, who lost Rs 2 crore on his last film Kaaranji, said, "The Kannada film industry has collapsed while other language films are making good money."

Heartfelt Hit: The movie Manasaare, starring Diganth and Aindrita Rai, is a box-office success