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The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa' movie review: A delightful satire on food politics
Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa is an age-old rhyming expression used in Karnataka, especially by school-going children. It hints at the excitement of enjoying a Sunday doing what you love — eating chicken curry in this case — after a week spent in school. Abhilash Shetty's sophomore film is charming, and a fitting addition to his koli (chicken) universe. His debut, Koli Taal (Chicken Curry), set in the Malnad region, revolved around an elderly couple's adventure to find the missing rooster so that they can cook a delicious curry for their grandson before he departs for his town. The second movie also deals with the conflict of the missing chicken. Sneha (Samruddhi Kundapura), an 11-year-old girl, looks forward to Sundays, not just because it's a holiday, but also because she gets to eat chicken curry, a regular item at her home on weekends. However, her heart sinks when she learns that her father has bought a bag of vegetables instead of chicken, owing to Gandhi Jayanti, on which meat selling is banned. Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (Kannada) Director: Abhilash Shetty Cast: Samruddhi Kundapura, Prabhakar Kunder, Radha Ramachandra, Sridhar M Runtime: 82 minutes Storyline: Sneha loves chicken curry but she is denied her favourite dish on Gandhi Jayanti for obvious reasons. The 11-year-old embarks on a playful yet daring journey in pursuit of the forbidden chicken curry. The film then becomes a series of events based on the consequences of Sneha's quest to fulfil her wish of eating her favourite dish, even as all odds appear against her. Abhilash's love for satire is apparent, and the film thrives on irony. Sneha exposes her father's hypocrisy as he asks her to follow the rules and abstain from eating meat, even as he is desperate to consume alcohol on a dry day (sale of alcohol is prohibited on October 2 in India). A meat merchant laments how a one-day ban will cost him a loss of ₹5000, calling it the biggest attack on his business on a day when people celebrate Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. 'Gandhi fought for freedom, but it's a pity that I don't have the freedom to do my business,' says the agitated seller. Of course, illegal traders bank on the desperate demands of consumers and make merry by selling meat at exorbitant rates. The film even looks at how politicians take advantage and corner their opponents using the Gandhi Jayanti day prohibitions. With no luck in her town, Sneha moves to her grandparents' village, hoping to eat the elusive chicken curry. Her grandparents, Mahabala Shetty and Vanaja, are characters from Koli Taal, making Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa a spiritual sequel to the 2022 movie. The film slowly becomes a case study on different types of chicken (broiler and domestic) and the art of cooking chicken gravy. Abhilash takes his time to convey these ideas, and the intentional, leisurely pacing of the movie works in its favour as it matches the film's light tone. ALSO READ:'Firefly' movie review: Vamshi's debut is a visually experimental character study of a man fighting grief Abhilash doesn't entirely romanticise village life as he portrays the class divide and patriarchal attitude of men matter-of-factly. Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa reflects people's behaviour influenced by food. For Sneha, chicken is a source of pleasure. However, for her mother, it becomes a tool to protect her identity. She doesn't allow Sneha to eat from her friend's house because she hails from a Christian family that buys meat only from certain shops due to religious beliefs. Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa is light on its feet and balances its gentle humour with subtle socio-political commentary. The realistic portrayal of the contrasting nature of the urban and rural backdrops adds to the appeal, while Samruddhi Kundapura's performance is the film's beating heart. Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa is currently running in theatres
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa Movie Review: a deliciously personal adventure that leaves you smiling and hungry
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.
Deccan Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
‘Koli Taal' director's second feature to release on May 9
In most Indian homes, Sunday means a good non vegetarian meal with the family. Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa translates to 'tomorrow is a holiday, we can enjoy chicken curry'. Directed by Abhilash Shetty of Koli Taal fame, it follows an eleven-year-old girl Sneha, who wants to eat chicken curry on a Gandhi Jayanthi which falls on a Sunday. Slaughter and sale of meat is banned on Gandhi Jayanthi. The film is Abhilash's second feature. Sneha embarks on a journey, in pursuit of the chicken curry. Her journey leads to 'unexpected twists that challenge traditions and societal norms'.'Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa reveals the hypocrisy and double standards of society,' Abhilash tells DH. . 'It is a political satire. The film has many layers unlike Koli Taal which was a straightforward story about a grandson and a grandfather,' he is set in coastal Karnataka and falls in the same universe as Koli Taal but it's not a continuation of the film, he says. Abhilash's Koli Taal didn't have any music but he says Naale Raja Koli Majaa has an indo-western fusion music. The film's music is composed by US-based Vithor film will be screened at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFA) scheduled to be held in New York later this month. It was also screened in festivals in Canada, Indonesia and Chicago. Abhilash is a self taught filmmaker. He started making short films in 2017. 'I learned filmmaking by watching movies and picked the technical aspects of filmmaking by making short films,' Abhilash says. He made Koli Taal in 2020. Abhilash who is from Shivamogga says his films are usually set in the Western Ghats. Even the film's post-production takes place in the region. 'All we need is a good laptop, you can edit your film from anywhere,' he says. Talking about whether the industry is getting decentralised, Abhilash says 'Udupi and Shivamogga have dubbing studios now and equipment is easily accessible. Since a lot of films are coming from the region, facilities are becoming more available. We don't have to necessarily depend on big cities for everything anymore.' Abhilash's Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa releases in theatres on May 9.
