Title – Kuladalli Keelyavudo, Producer – Santosh Kumar and Vidya, Direction – K Ramnarayan, Music – Mano Murthy, Cinematography – Manu, Cast – Madenur Manu, Mouna Guddemane, Sharat Lohitashva, Kari Subbu, Tabala Naani, Dragon Manju, Sonal Monteiro, Harish Raj and others.
According to one of the authors, ‘Casteism’ lives as long as politicians live in this Indian subcontinent. Look at this week’s Kannada film release Kuladalli Keelyavudo, a film made with a very good mixture of emotions, focusing on the ‘Caste’ system in society. This is presented in a rather rude and rustic style by intelligent director Ramnarayan.
A lyricist-turned-director, Ramnarayan has given a well-balanced content that holds the attention of mass audiences. Yet, the length and the moronic tale might disturb the soft and sensible minds. Ramnarayan, working in various departments, has also given the best theme song for the film. He has carefully selected the artists, locations, and background for the film, which gathers good attention.
Although the untouchable system is by and large thrown out in this society, the practices continue in interior villages. Adding to that, the atrocity on the downtrodden is an evergreen subject for filmmakers.
In the Bidurubunde colony, situated next to a hilly region with a Lord Anjaneya statue, lies the main focus of Kuladalli Keelyavudo – the people living here are far away from civilized society. The encroachment of that region by SEZ, in fact, puts the people in doldrums. They become nomads, but a sincere Tahsildar gets an alternate place for the severely bogged-down people of Bidurubunde. That is not enough, as the goons are keeping an eye on snatching the places belonging to the innocent and cursed people.
The rage of the upper-class society reaches a peak point and snatches most of the lives of the people in the Bidurubunde colony. As the belief of the remaining is very strong, the intervention of supernatural power, in fact, saves a few to put the curtains down in the theaters.
In his second film, Comedy Kiladigalu fame Madenur Manu has struggled hard and done justice to his role. He has to improve in the dialogue delivery department. In the action scenes, Madenur Manu scores well. Mouna Guddemane is adequate and has given her best as Lachchi in the film.
The fine performance from Kari Subbu as the struggling ‘Ajja’ and tormentor Sharat Lohitashva gets awards for their performances. Tabla Nani, as a comedian, rarely tickles the funny bone. New entry Seena as villain and Dragon Manja have delivered their best. Sonal Monteiro, as the Tahsildar, is very convincing in her performance. Yogaraj Bhat, with philosophical lines, is quite OK.
The beauty of this film is the music of Mantrik Mano Murthy’s lovely tunes. The tappanguchchi song ‘Nam Kade Obba Hogbutta’ is very naturally stored in the camera. The duet song, the title track, and one more background song are not only meaningful but very soothing to the ears.
The cinematographer of this film, Manu, deserves compliments, besides the dialogue writer. The very real locations captured for Kuladalli Keelyavudo are a boon to the quality of the film.
Finally, the producer of this film (appearing as a cop in a guest role) has taken the right decision for his investment, as the film Kuladalli Keelyavudo is made with caution and convincing style. This is a family watch film, especially in the rural belt.
