Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa Movie Review: a deliciously personal adventure that leaves you smiling and hungry

Time of India

11-05-2025

By Susmita Sameera
Abhilash Shetty, who made his debut with Koli Taal, returns with his second feature, Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa — a charming continuation of the characters and world he previously introduced.
In many households, Sunday is synonymous with a special non-vegetarian meal — a tradition young Sneha eagerly anticipates. But this particular Sunday falls on Gandhi Jayanti, a national dry day. Instead of the much-awaited chicken, her father comes home with a bag full of vegetables.
Disappointed but determined, Sneha sets off on a spirited and lighthearted mission to secure her Sunday chicken. She starts by flushing out her father's stash of alcohol, kept precisely for such an occasion. With the tables turned — the father desperate for his drink and the daughter for her chicken — the two set off into the village's secret backend market.
However, when Sneha sees her father willing to pay a steep price for liquor but not for her chicken, she feels betrayed. Upset, she escapes to her grandparents' home — to Mahabala Shetty (Prabhakar Kunder) and Vanaja (Radha Ramachandra) — hoping this visit will guarantee her long-awaited meal. Instead, more hurdles await.
What follows is a delightful journey through a picturesque Malnad village, with glimpses of farm life and heartwarming moments between granddaughter and grandparents. Whether Sneha eventually gets her chicken becomes the gentle, engaging core of the story.
The soul of the film is Sneha, played to perfection by Samrudhi Kundapura, who brings to life an adorably stubborn and determined little girl. Two standout moments include her boldly schooling an old man smoking outside a shop, who ironically lectures her about Gandhi and non-violence, and a scene where, after several disappointments, she still refuses to give up. As a last resort, she teams up with her grandfather for a whimsical nighttime mission to catch a wild chicken — a scene that perfectly encapsulates her perseverance.
In what appears to be a simple story about a young girl craving her Sunday special meal, Abhilash Shetty subtly weaves in socio-political undertones. Through casual conversations and everyday situations, he reflects on societal hypocrisies, adding quiet depth without ever overshadowing the film's warmth or simplicity.
Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa is both a technical and emotional triumph. The soothing visuals of the rural backdrop and an understated background score create a serene atmosphere that complements its storytelling. What begins as a child's quest for a Sunday meal unfolds into a tender, humorous, and deeply personal journey. The writing finds beauty and meaning in the mundane, told with warmth and quiet affection. You can't help but root for young Sneha — in a journey that leaves you smiling… and hungry.