Balwaan Badshah (Ulidavaru Kandanthe)

Balwaan Badshah (Ulidavaru Kandanthe)

Summary:

"Balwaan Badshah (Ulidavaru Kandanthe)" (As Seen by the Rest) is a non-linear narrative that delves into a series of interconnected events culminating in a murder during Krishna Janmashtami in the coastal town of Malpe. An investigative journalist, Regina, attempts to piece together the truth by interviewing various characters involved, each offering their own subjective, often biased, perspective, leaving the audience to discern the reality of what transpired. The film is notable for its unique narrative structure, stylized cinematography, and the use of the Mangalore Kannada dialect.

Detailed Plot (Movie Story):

The film is set in Malpe, a small fishing town on the Arabian coast of Karnataka, around the time of the Krishna Janmashtami festival. The narrative is presented as a series of chapters, each told from the perspective of a different character, as investigative journalist Regina (Sheetal Shetty) attempts to uncover the truth behind a murder incident.

Chapter 1: Voice of Silence - Shailesha's Perspective

Regina first interviews Shailesha (Raghu Pandeshwar), a local cashew nut merchant. He recounts his knowledge of two childhood friends, Richi and Raghu. Richi was sent to a remand home for 8 years after stabbing a boy in defense of Raghu. Raghu, meanwhile, disappeared to Mumbai, working in a hotel and later with a local gang. Shailesha accidentally meets Raghu in Mumbai, where Raghu reveals he cannot leave due to secrets he knows about his employer. Raghu plans to move to Dubai with his mother once he secures funds.

Chapter 2: Richard Antony alias Richi - Dinesha's Perspective

This chapter comes from Dinesha (Pramod Shetty), a close aide of Richi, who is held in lock-up. Richard Antony, or Richi (Rakshit Shetty), is a brash, flamboyant, and feared young man who works as an enforcer for Shankar Poojary (Dinesh Mangalore), a local gangster and businessman with ties to the Mumbai underworld. Richi has a notorious reputation and is a disgrace to his father, a priest in the local church. This segment portrays Richi's violent and dominant nature.

Chapter 3: Fish Curry - Ratnakka's Perspective

This chapter focuses on Raghu's mother, Ratnakka (Tara), a fish seller in Malpe. Her life is one of struggle after her husband's death. Raghu (Rishab Shetty) secretly visits his mother, telling her he wishes to move permanently to Dubai with her. He has to leave immediately but promises to return the next evening for dinner, where she will cook her signature Meen-saru (fish curry). Ratnakka, overjoyed, prepares the meal and waits, but her joy turns to disappointment as Raghu doesn't return.

Chapter 4: Whispers in the Wind - Munna's Perspective

Munna (Kishore) is a boat repairman who works for Shankar Poojary. He harbors a soft spot for Sharada (Yagna Shetty), a fish seller, and often follows her, trying to woo her with the help of a young boy nicknamed Democracy. Munna discovers an empty shell casing on a fishing boat that Richi had recently used. Knowing that Balu (Achyuth Kumar) was last seen with Richi, Munna suspects that Balu has been murdered by Richi's gang.

Chapter 5: Ka - Balu's Perspective

Regina approaches Balu, who is in a disheveled state and developed a prejudice against crows, pelting stones at them whenever he sees one. Balu recounts a fishing trip where he catches a heavy log in his net. He keeps it to himself and discovers the log contains a priceless, glowing relic. This relic (often referred to as the "MacGuffin") becomes the central element connecting all the storylines and motivating much of the conflict.

As the film progresses, the interwoven narratives slowly reveal the sequence of events leading to the central conflict. The missing elements and contradictions in each character's account force the audience to piece together the truth. The climax of the film occurs during the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, where the various characters' paths violently intersect.

The murder incident is revealed to be a chaotic confrontation involving Richi, Raghu, and others, often driven by the valuable relic. The film cleverly uses the "Rashomon effect," showing how individual perceptions and biases shape the telling of a story. The ambiguity of the "truth" at the end is a key feature, leaving the audience to form their own conclusions.

Cast:

• Rakshit Shetty as Richie (Richard Antony)

• Rishab Shetty as Raghu

• Sheetal Shetty as Regina (Journalist)

• Kishore as Munna

• Achyuth Kumar as Balu

• Tara as Ratnakka (Raghu's Mother)

• Yagna Shetty as Sharada

• Dinesh Mangalore as Shankar Poojary

• Pramod Shetty as Dinesha

• Raghu Pandeshwar as Shailesha

• B. Suresha as Richie's Father (Priest)

• Sohan Shetty as Democracy (Munna's young helper)

Crew:

• Director: Rakshit Shetty

• Writer: Rakshit Shetty

• Producers: Hemanth, Simple Suni, Abhi

• Music Director: B. Ajaneesh Loknath

• Cinematography: Karm Chawla

• Editor: Sachin Ravi

• Production Company: Pareekshith Productions

Release Date:

Balwaan Badshah (Ulidavaru Kandanthe) was released on March 28, 2014.