A for Anand

A for Anand
Directed by	M. G. Srinivas
Written by	M. G. Srinivas
Produced by	Geetha Shivarajkumar
Starring	Shiva Rajkumar
Cinematography	Mahen Simha
Production company	Geetha Pictures
Release date	8 December 2025 (2025-12-08)
Country	India
Language	Kannada

A for Anand is an upcoming Indian Kannada-language drama film written and directed by M. G. Srinivas. Produced by Geetha Shivarajkumar under the Geetha Pictures banner, the film stars Shiva Rajkumar as a schoolteacher. The project has gained attention in Kannada media for marking a shift toward children- and family-oriented storytelling in mainstream commercial cinema. ^{[1] [2]} It is scheduled for theatrical release in India on 8 December 2025.

Premise

A for Anand is described as a children’s and family-oriented drama centred on Anand, a schoolteacher whose interactions with his students explore themes of emotional well-being, academic pressure, and changing classroom environments in contemporary India. Srinivas has stated that the film aims to deliver "a gentle message through warmth and humour" rather than a strictly issue-driven narrative. ^[3]

Cast

• Shiva Rajkumar as Anand, a schoolteacher ^[4]

Production

Development

The film originated from conversations between Srinivas and producer Geetha Shivarajkumar following their earlier collaboration on Ghost . During press interactions, Srinivas explained that Geetha Shivarajkumar encouraged him to attempt a “warm-hearted, child-centric story” featuring Shivarajkumar in a role he seldom plays. ^[5]

Srinivas has cited Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window as a conceptual influence, noting that its emphasis on empathy in education shaped certain elements of the script, though the film is not an adaptation. ^[6]

In interviews, the director described writing a children-focused film as a creative shift, stating: “Children don’t talk like adults. Their emotional world is honest and direct. Capturing that truthfully was the biggest challenge.” ^[7]

Filming

The film was launched with a muhurtha ceremony in early May 2025, drawing members of the Kannada film fraternity. ^[8] Principal photography commenced shortly afterwards in Bengaluru and surrounding districts. Cinematographer Mahen Simha, who has collaborated with Srinivas on earlier projects, handled the visuals. ^[9]

According to Srinivas, several scenes were shot in functioning schools to retain authenticity. He remarked that working with child actors “brought unpredictability to the set” but also “lifted the emotional honesty of the scenes.” ^[10]

Release

A for Anand is scheduled to be released theatrically in India on 8 December 2025. ^[11] Information regarding international distribution and streaming rights is yet to be announced.

References

1. "Shivarajkumar to headline children's drama A for Anand". Deccan Herald. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
2. "A for Anand: Shivarajkumar teams up with MG Srinivas". The Hindu. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
3. "MG Srinivas on balancing entertainment and message in A for Anand". Cinema Express. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
4. "A for Anand Kannada Movie: Release Date, Cast, Story, OTT". Filmibeat. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
5. "Shivarajkumar on A for Anand: Education today is stressful, it need not be". OTTplay. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
6. "After action overload, I think viewers are craving a feel-good film: MG Srinivas". Times of India. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
7. "A for Anand director MG Srinivas: Making an entertaining children's film with Shivarajkumar is a challenge". OTTplay. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
8. "Shivarajkumar launches A for Anand". Times of India. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
9. "A for Anand: Shivarajkumar teams up with MG Srinivas again". The News Minute. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
10. "MG Srinivas opens up about filming with children". Cinema Express. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
11. "A for Anand film release announced". The Hindu. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.