Kannada star Sriimurali has described his upcoming pan-India action thriller 'PARAAK' as the most demanding project of his 23-year career, saying the film pushed every department to its limits and required the entire team to make personal sacrifices in service of director Halesh Kogundi's vision. The actor's remarks came after the film's teaser was unveiled on Sunday, 13 July.

What Sriimurali Said About the Challenge

'Cinema has only one language, and that is good cinema,' Sriimurali said at the teaser launch. 'With PARAAK, I want to give the audience something different. It is the story and the concept that excited me the most. I have been in the industry for 23 years and have done many action sequences, but what we have attempted in this film is one of the most challenging experiences of my career. It is not about making a film quickly. It is about making it with conviction, responsibility and the determination to create something truly unique.'

The actor described the scale of the project in vivid terms: 'When we started, we thought we were stepping into a river. Very soon, we realised it was actually a sea. That's how challenging PARAAK has been. Every department had to prepare thoroughly, and all of us had to make small sacrifices to stay true to the subject.'

A New Team With Fresh Energy

Sriimurali noted that PARAAK is backed by a new production house, Brand Studios, and assembled largely from newer technicians — a combination he said brought fresh creative momentum. 'PARAAK needed a different kind of preparation and a different level of focus. It is a new production house with a team of new technicians, and I always enjoy working with newcomers because they come with fresh thoughts and new energy,' he said.

He also singled out director Halesh Kogundi for his clarity of vision: 'Our director has a very clear vision. When everyone believes in that vision, something special can happen. I have never been part of a teaser like this in my career, and I genuinely feel the film is attempting something new for Indian cinema.'

Director's Vision: Emotion at the Core of Action

Director Halesh Kogundi, who also penned the story alongside Team Brand Studios, said his goal was to craft an action film where character and emotion drive every sequence. 'I have been an action film lover since childhood. Watching great action films, especially Mad Max, made me realise that if I ever became a filmmaker, I wanted to make action films,' he said.

'For me, action is more than spectacle or fight sequences — it's storytelling too. I want to explore human emotions, inner conflicts, and the realities I've witnessed through my upbringing. At its heart, this is a character-driven story where every action sequence grows organically from the characters, their choices, and their emotional journeys,' Kogundi added. He described PARAAK as an 'action suspense thriller' that 'blends intense action with strong character arcs, ensuring that every moment serves both the story and the people at its center.'

What the Teaser Reveals

The teaser showcases Sriimurali in a visibly transformed, rugged new avatar, featuring high-octane action sequences and large-scale visuals. The background score is composed by Charan Raj MR, who also handles the film's full music. Cinematography is by Sandeep Valluri, while action choreography has been designed by stunt director Dr. K. Ravivarma.

The film is produced by Akhilesh Kogundi, Ashik Madal, and Deepak Ashwath Narayan under the Brand Studios banner. Known for high-impact Kannada films including 'Ugramm', 'Mufti', 'Bharaate', and 'Bagheera', Sriimurali is positioning PARAAK as one of the biggest pan-India outings from Kannada cinema. A release date is yet to be announced.