A film production house in Bengaluru had the biggest laugh in 2022. In a span of six months, Hombale Films saw two of its movies smash box-office records. Kannada films KGF: Chapter 2 and Kantara became pan-India successes and made its leading men, Yash and Rishab Shetty, respectively, India’s new superstars. No wonder a multiplex-owner called Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda of Hombale Films to congratulate them on being the “most profitable studio”.