One of Karnataka’s most reputed and humble film distributors, Basha of Bahar Films and Bahar Enterprises, passed away on Monday, 8th September 2025.
Basha was a prominent figure in the distribution of mainly Hindi films for over five decades. He was also known for his strong support of the Kannada film industry. Over the years, he distributed hundreds of Kannada films and even financed several projects when needed. Known for his bold and straightforward talks, Basha was always willing to help film industry professionals who approached him.
One of his recent contributions was the long-awaited renovation of Sapna Mini Theatre on Kempe Gowda Road—an iconic area known for its historic cinema halls. After being neglected for nearly 30 years, the theatre finally received a facelift with a 20-day closure and an investment of Rs. 30 lakhs.
Basha had taken control of Sapna Mini Theatre 14 years ago and entrusted its maintenance to Mr. Iliyas. Located beneath the ‘Narthaki’ Theatre in the Santosh Theatre Complex, Sapna Mini now boasts improved seating, ambience, sound system, and screening facilities. All 303 seats have been replaced, with newly done flooring and walls, and upgraded with air conditioning and fans to cater to both classes of seating.
Basha’s legacy as a pillar of the Karnataka film distribution circuit and a benefactor to the cinema community will be remembered fondly.