''Mukhaputa'' () is a 2009 Indian
Kannada
Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...
-language film written, directed by and starring
Roopa Iyer. The film has international
HIV/AIDS researchers and academicians as advisors: Dr. Satish, President of HIV Research Association of India, and Prof.
Narayan Hosmane, two times Humboldt Award winner of Northern Illinois University, to help authenticate the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment and to dispel the misconceived notions of the terminal disease. The movie, which is produced by
Narayan Hosmane, a cancer specialist in the US, his brother, Subraya Hosmane, an industrialist in Mumbai, and Roopa, also stars Sanya Iyer, Ananda Theertha, Sumithra, Chi. Gurudutt, and Badri Prasad in leading roles. Composer
Hamsalekha
Gangaraju (born June 23, 1951), professionally known as Hamsalekha, is an Indian film composer and a songwriter who works in South Indian cinema, predominantly in the Kannada film industry since the late 1980s. He is also a screenplay writer, di ...
, who has scored music for the film, too makes a special appearance in the film. An award-winning cinematographer,
S. Ramachandra, is the director behind camera, and Haridas is the film editor of the movie,
Shooting schedules, Marketing, Distribution prepared by Media Networks G.
Plot
The film is about the children suffering from
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ...
.
The film is set in a small town in South India, where a socially responsible educationally oriented traditional woman adopts a young baby girl, and realizes after several years that the child had HIV at birth. The story centered on the child, and a few of her underprivileged friends of the same age, depicts the challenges faced by the girl, her family and the society – it showcases pre-conceived notions that society infers on patients with HIV, and how children and their family are coping up with life. With very positive messages, the film reinforces the strength needed to "grow against all odds" – the message is applicable to all around the world that are struggling to grow in a biased society for no fault of theirs’
Cast
* Sanya Iyer as Bhavathi
*
Roopa Iyer as Gowri
* Ananda Theertha
* Sumithra
*
Chi. Guru Dutt
* Badri Prasad
*
Narayan Hosmane
*
Hamsalekha
Gangaraju (born June 23, 1951), professionally known as Hamsalekha, is an Indian film composer and a songwriter who works in South Indian cinema, predominantly in the Kannada film industry since the late 1980s. He is also a screenplay writer, di ...
in a cameo appearance
Reception
Critical response
BSS from
Deccan Herald
''Deccan Herald'' is an Indian English language daily newspaper published from the Indian state of Karnataka. It was founded by K. N. Guruswamy, a liquor businessman from Ballari and was launched on 17 June 1948. It is published by The Printe ...
wrote "First-time director Roopa Iyer weaves a fine, yet robust yarn in the colours of culture, humanity and compassion. Her approach is direct: the supporting characters are forced to look at themselves in their roles as upholders of norms and tradition. Highlighting Hindu culture, Roopa brings in the Vedas, Upanishads and the like dissecting the Hindu way of life effortlessly. However, the film embraces words in place of silence, undoing all the good work" A critic from
Bangalore Mirror
''Bangalore Mirror'' is a daily English-language newspaper published in Bangalore, India. It is a deputed newspaper and is the second-largest circulating English newspaper in the city
''Vijay Times''
''Vijay Times'' was an English newspaper st ...
wrote "The film has a few touching scenes. But due to the preachy nature of Roopa Iyer’s character and the more-than-necessary focus on her alone, the film loses some of its serious tone.Sania Iyer as the HIV infected child touches a raw nerve. Hamsalekha’s music and S Ramachandra’s camera work are okay but not remarkable".
Awards
References
{{reflist
External links
Mukhaputa for Cairo Film FestivalKannada film wins award in Ireland
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20120828095150/http://www.kannadatimes.com/archives/1706
Medical-themed films
HIV/AIDS in Indian films
Films scored by Hamsalekha
2000s Kannada-language films