Latest news with #Maadeva
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Vinod Prabhakar: I wish my parents were alive; they would've appreciated this role
Vinod Prabhakar, widely known for his intense action films, is taking a new step with Maadeva, which will hit the screens on June 6. Directed by Naveen Reddy B, this isn't the usual high-octane ride that Vinod's films are known for. Instead, Maadeva digs into emotional terrain—something Vinod admits he's exploring for the first time on screen. 'I call it an action drama,' says Vinod. 'There's emotion at the core, and action is only a layer over it. It's something I've seen plenty of at home, growing up… but rarely explored on screen. With Maadeva, I could finally do it.'
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Naveen Reddy: I believe emotion is bigger than action
Naveen Reddy B may be just one film old as a director—with Khaki marking his debut—but he brings over 20 years of experience in the Kannada film industry. Now, with his second film Maadeva set to release on June 6, he hopes this marks a defining moment in his journey: from an assistant director working behind the scenes to a storyteller confidently bringing his own vision to the screen. 'I've worked with many directors and across all kinds of films,' says Naveen. 'Luck and time need to meet. Until then, you evolve.' Unlike Khaki, Naveen has written the story of Maadeva himself. The film follows the life of a hangman, portrayed by Vinod Prabhakar, but according to the director, it is not about the technicalities of capital punishment. 'It's not about procedures. It's about the hangman's emotional life—his family, his struggles, his connection with society. It's brutal, yes, but also deeply human,' Naveen explains. Vinod, known for his image as an action star, has been given a multi-dimensional role in this film. 'I believe emotion is universal—bigger than action. In the last 40 minutes, audiences won't see Vinod Prabhakar—they'll see Maadeva,' he says confidently. Each actor was cast with intent. Sonal Monteiro plays a layered female lead, while Srinagar Kitty, Shruti, and Malashree bring complex shades to their characters. 'Shruti was surprised I approached her for a negative role. Malashree has a pivotal part that involves action. Even Cockroach Sudhir, though his screen time is brief, plays a vital role.' Vinod's physical transformation was meticulously crafted, including wearing lenses throughout the shoot. 'That alone was a challenge—shooting day after day with lenses. But it helped to show a completely different side of him.' Maadeva releases alongside Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, but Naveen remains unfazed. 'Yes, Kamal sir has a huge fan base, but in the end, it's about the story. Today, there's a shortage of strong Kannada films. Audiences are eager for meaningful local cinema. I believe they'll judge us fairly on the first day, first show.' Maadeva has stunt direction by Different Danny, Real Satish, and Vikram More, cinematography by Balakrishna Thota, editing by Vijay M. Kumar; and art direction by Guna.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maadeva Movie Review: A Gritty Old-School Action Drama That Demands a Strong Stomach
By Susmita Sameera Vinod Prabhakar plays the titular role of Maadeva, a stoic and emotionally numb hangman. In a striking opening scene, he calmly executes a death-row inmate and then nonchalantly sits down to eat biryani at the same spot — a chilling glimpse into his hardened soul. This detachment persists throughout his daily life: he shows no concern for a pregnant woman needing a seat or a child playing nearby. Maadeva is a man who has long shut himself off from all emotion. Enter Parvathi (played by Sonal Monteiro), a compassionate and determined young woman. With her mother imprisoned, Parvathi seeks help from someone on the inside — Maadeva. Her warmth and persistence clash with Maadeva's cold indifference. The heart of the story lies in this emotional tug-of-war: Can Parvathi melt the ice around Maadeva's heart? Can this broken man learn to feel again? Or will his haunting past continue to consume him, keeping him trapped in emotional darkness? As Maadeva's journey unfolds, we dive into his backstory — personal trauma, village conflicts, and the reasons behind his emotional numbness. Alongside the central plot are several compelling subplots, including Parvathi's family struggles and the looming presence of multiple antagonists. Chief among them is Samudhra (played by Srinagar Kitty), a formidable foe — along with a surprise villain who adds an unexpected twist to the narrative. The film's biggest strength lies in its stellar cast and powerful performances. Vinod Prabhakar delivers one of his best, portraying the shades of a broken man with intense depth, reminiscent of Upendra in Anatharu. His action impresses, but it's his monstrous side that's hardest to watch. Sonal Monteiro charms as the kind-hearted village girl, offering a strong contrast. Srinagar Kitty is stylish and menacing as the villain. The most crowd-favourite moments come from OG ladies of Kannada — Shruthi in a chilling never-seen-before role, and Malashri's whistle-worthy cameo in all her glory. Achyuth Kumar and the rest of the cast fit their roles perfectly. This is an old-school action drama set in the 1980s, centred around a hangman, so viewers should be prepared for some intense and unsettling scenes. While the film delivers strong visuals, engaging music, well-placed songs, and a well-woven mix of family and romantic drama, it can't be called a full-fledged family entertainer due to a few extremely disturbing moments. That said, fans of gritty, hard-hitting action will find plenty to enjoy — especially massy dialogue moments like 'I come to kill, not to save,' which add to the film's raw appeal. If you're comfortable with a bit of gore and love old classic-style action dramas, this one is worth a watch.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maadeva on June 6
Vinod Prabhakar Sonal Monteiro The much-awaited big-budget movie Maadeva is scheduled for release on June the lead pair while Naveen Reddy B is the director.R Keshava (Devasandra) has bankrolled the movie. According to director Reddy, Maadeva is a period movie set in the 1980s. 'Vinod Prabhakar plays a hangman. Srinagar Kitty plays the villain while veteran actress Malashree makes a special appearance. We will release the movie on June 6,'' the director Prabhakar said director Reddy narrated the script during the lockdown. 'I agreed to act in the movie because of the script. No Kannada movie has been made about a hangman till date. Sonal Monteiro said she plays Parvathi. 'It is my second movie with Vinod Prabhakar after Roberrt,'' Monteiro said.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Vikram Ravichandran to join the cast of Vinod Prabhakar's Nelson?
Vinod Prabhakar, currently awaiting the release of Maadeva, has another exciting project brewing, titled Nelson. Set to mark the directorial debut of Gombegala Love actor Arun Kumar, the film generated interest with its first look and teaser, which was unveiled by Upendra. The film, which has the haunting tagline, 'In Forest of Blood', is set to have raw, folkloric storytelling. The latest speculation about the project is that actor Vikram Ravichandran is set to appear in a prominent role alongside Vinod. Vikram, who made his debut with Trivikrama, is set to portray a character with a negative shade, a role that hints at showcasing a new dimension of his acting range. Set against the backdrop of the gangster underworld in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district, Nelson draws from true events that unfolded between the 1960s and 1990s. In a previous interview with CE, Arun Kumar revealed that the film explores the lives and struggles of tribal communities in the region, weaving together themes of land, water, identity, and resistance — all deeply rooted in the area's dialect and culture. 'It's a film with a powerful message and a story that matters,' the director stated.
