Title: Vikalpa, Producer: Suru’s Talkies – Smt. Indira Shivaswamy, Director & Writer: Pruthviraj Patil, Music: Samvatsara, Cinematography: Abhiram Gowda, Cast: Pruthviraj Patil, Nagashree Hebbar, Harini Shreekanth, Sandhya Vinayak, Vaddinagadde Ganapati Hegde, Swaroop Buchh, Pooja Buchh, Jayanth David, Master Ayush, Santhosh Sadguru, Girish Hegde, K. Bhuvan Bhat, Ganapathi Purappemene, Ganapathi Hithlakai, Dr. Prakruthi Narayanaswamy, Prajna Hegde, Madhava Sharma, Gode Narayana Hegde, Lakshmi Gode Narayana Hegde, Meghana Harikumar, Dr. Aparna Shreevatsa, Vinayaka Hegde, Jothsna Mamidi, Shobitha B.U.
The beginning of 2026 seems to be very promising for the Kannada cinema industry with films like Vikalpa. There is a great degree of sensibility, zeal, and enthusiasm from the entire team. Making a leap from a soft professional background to the cinema industry, writer-director Pruthviraj Patil has crafted a strong subject with an equally strong narration pattern of the “hold and release” style, appealing well to the audience. The storyline, narration, admirable cinematography, excellent music, and the actors’ high degree of skill together give Vikalpa a superior standard.
The film deals with reality versus hallucination. Childhood trauma resurfaces after decades in Pruthvi, and several other characters connected to him add value, making the film highly competitive. In just 113 minutes, Pruthviraj Patil delivers an admirable treat for educated audiences. Along with its focus on reality and hallucination, the film handles mother sentiment, love, and friendship effectively. The serene environment and the presence of the ‘Mahishasura’ angle give the film an extra boost, making it engaging throughout.
Pruthvi (Pruthviraj Patil), brought up by his mother with strong values, reaches a good position in life and becomes the CEO of Pace Software. He has supportive friends who are always ready to help. As the story progresses, hallucination becomes a fear factor for Pruthvi. The son of Anasuya and Ramachandra takes a break from his profession and travels to Kolagebeesu, an interior region of dense forest. On the way, he meets Bomma, an interesting character, who helps him reach the place Pruthvi is searching for. He encounters strange developments while also experiencing a sense of satisfaction upon reaching his hometown.
Pruthvi’s sole intention is to present Yakshagana art to his beloved, bedridden mother, who is counting her final days. He finds an 84-year-old Yakshagana artist in his hometown. On insistence and due to the need of the hour, the artist performs a live show for Pruthvi’s mother Anasuya. This touching farewell leaves Pruthvi deeply distressed.
After returning, Pruthvi continues to confront his childhood trauma, supported by his friends and his lover Samudhyata (Nagashree Hebbar). How Pruthvi’s hallucination and fear—traumatic amnesia—are addressed leads the film to its climax. Pruthviraj Patil is composed and delivers a strong performance while handling multiple responsibilities. He has a promising future in both acting and direction with new kinds of films. Nagashree Hebbar’s role, though complex, is well portrayed. The character of Bomma keeps the audience lively in the first half, while Pruthvi’s two friends Swaroop and Pooja add further lift to the narration.
Top-class credit goes to music director Samvatsara, a Hindustani musician scoring for cinema for the first time. The song “Amma Neene Ella… Koti Nenapa Kottu Marali Baare Amma…” is sure to bag awards. Young talent Inchara’s rendition is tremendously melodious. The variety Samvatsara offers will surely earn him more assignments. “Novillada Nenape…”, the Yakshagana song “Nilagaganadolu…”, ‘Baala Jopana….“Ave Shyama…” in Hindustani style, a western background song, and the background score are all very well blended in Vikalpa.
The cinematography by Abhiram Gowda is another highlight, setting high standards for the film. The serene atmosphere and the hustle-bustle city locations are deftly captured. The dialogues are also of good quality. Lines like “Novugalu Bittu Bittu Barthave… Hogtha Hogtha Hogthave…” are well placed in the film. Vikalpa is the right film for family audiences looking for novelty from a director and actor who is no novice—Pruthviraj Patil. Producer Smt. Indira Shivaswamy can feel proud of the investment made in the intelligence and vision of her husband, Pruthviraj Patil.
