Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 5: The much-awaited Tulu film Pidayi, produced by K Suresh under the banner of Namma Kanasu, written by Ramesh Shettigar, and directed by national award-winning director Santosh Mada, will now hit theatres across the coastal region on September 12.
The film was earlier slated for release on August 22 but was postponed due to certain reasons.
Pidayi has already carved a niche for itself on the international stage, being officially selected at prestigious film festivals in Kolkata, Shimla, Jharkhand, and California. It also created history by becoming the first Tulu film to compete in both Indian cinema and Kannada cinema categories at the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival, where it bagged the second-best film award.
Renowned Kannada actor Sharath Lohitashwa plays the lead role of Mahamayi. The cast also includes Deepak Rai Panaje, Pushparaj Bolar, Roopashree Varkadi, Ila Vitla, Devi Nair, Preethesh, Anil Raj Uppala, Ravi Varkadi, and child actors Monish, Trisha, Dhruva, Neha, Khushi, DBC Shekhar, and Anita Chandrashekhar.
The film’s cinematography is by Unni Madavoor and editing by two-time national award winner Suresh Urs, known for working on the highest number of film edits in India. Dialogues are written by Ramesh Shettigar and DBC Shekhar. The film has been shot in Mudipu and in border regions of Manjeshwar in Dakshina Kannada.
The music team boasts prominent names: lyrics by Padma Shri Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Kannada Sahitya Academy Award winner Sudheer Attavara, and Tulu Academy Award winner Kushalaksi Kanvatirtha, with compositions by Ajay Namboothiri. For the first time, acclaimed singer Dr Vidyabhushan has lent his voice for a film song, supported by playback singers Medha Vidyabhushan and Vijesh Gopal. The background score is composed by Kerala State Award-winning musician Deepankuran.
Art direction is by Rajesh Bandyodu, costumes by Meera Santosh, and makeup by Binoy Kollam. Vignesh Kulal is the chief associate director, with assistant directors Girish Achar Sullia, Pradeep Rao, and Vishwa Mangalpadi. Ravi Varkadi managed the team, while Deepak Uppala handled still photography.
A unique highlight of Pidayi is its inclusion of the traditional Tulu art form Kunitabhajane for the first time on the silver screen. Lyrics for these pieces have been penned by Yogeesh Adkalkatte and advocate-poet Shashiraj Kavoor, set to music by Sandeep Ballal and Shinoy Joseph respectively.
The story explores the arrival of an educated daughter-in-law into the household of Bhojanna (Mahamayi). Disturbed by the traditional treatment of women during menstruation, she begins a quiet yet determined resistance. Inspired by the ancient verse ‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devataah’, Bhojanna eventually resolves to uphold women’s dignity. The film won widespread praise during its Bengaluru International Film Festival screening.