Director Ashok Samrat steps into the spotlight with his debut feature film Avanirabekittu, a romantic suspense thriller exploring the emotional toll of identity theft. The film is set to release across Karnataka on June 27.
“I didn’t just write this story—I lived it,” says Ashok Samrat, explaining the personal experiences that shaped the film. “There was a time when I struggled to prove who I was. That haunting feeling of being invisible, of not being acknowledged—that’s what I’ve tried to weave into this film.”
Having worked as an assistant director in serials and short films, and under established names, Ashok now steps into making a full-fledged feature film. Backed by producer Murali BT under the Novika Cine Production banner, the film is said to follow a layered narrative that blends psychological suspense with a romantic thread. “It’s not a straight-line thriller. There are surprises at every turn. There’s love, there’s deception, and above all, there’s a search for self," Ashok adds.
The film stars newcomers Bharath and Sowmya John, whose chemistry in the trailer has already generated online buzz. “They’re new, yes—but they performed like pros,” Ashok adds with pride.
Music plays a central role in the narrative. Composer Loki Tavasya, a disciple of Hamsalekha, is the composer.
The film has cinematography by Devaraj Poojari, and the cast includes veterans Lakshmi Devamma, Prashanth Siddi, and Kiran Nayak.
Interestingly, Avanirabekittu caught the eye of Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, who praised the trailer and the team’s passion, and has KRG Studios distributing the film statewide this week.
Ashok concludes, “This story is a piece of my life, and I hope people see themselves in it—and feel seen.”