Senior theater actor Shankarayya Ghanti, who produced the feature film, at a press conference in Kalaburagi on Wednesday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Kannada feature film Nam Saali (Our School), which explores the rural education crisis in the Kalyana region of Karnataka, has been selected for competition in three categories, National, Indian and International, at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, senior theater artist Shankarayya R. Ghanti, who is also the producer of the feature film, said the film depicts how poverty, agrarian distress and seasonal migration push the children of marginal farmers and daily wage laborers out of the school system, denying them their constitutional right to education.
Based on Mr. Ghanti’s novel Nam Saali, the film highlights the crucial role of government schools in sustaining a rural society and preserving its social and cultural fabric.
Mr. Ghanti said the decision to adapt the novel for the screen was aimed at conveying the message of rural education to a wider audience.
He said the film also brings to light the fragile state of government schools in the Kalyana region of Karnataka, portraying poor infrastructure and shortage of teachers that adversely affect the quality of teaching and learning.
The film is directed by Anil Revoor, a native of Afzalpur taluk. It is produced under the banner of Jangama Creations.
Out of the 20 artistes in the film, 14 are from Kalaburagi district while six professional actors were cast as per the character requirements. The entire film was shot in and around Kalaburagi, including the villages of Kalgi, Kodli and Ratakal.
The 90-minute film will be screened at BIFFES from January 29 to February 6 at Lullu Mall in Bengaluru.
Published – 28 Jan 2026 20:01 IST
