Mukhaputa (transl.The Cover Page) is a 2009 Indian Kannada-language film written, directed by and starring Roopa Iyer. The film has international HIV/AIDS researchers and academics 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, 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.[2]

Mukhaputa
ಮುಖಪುಟ
Directed byRoopa Iyer
Screenplay byRoopa Iyer
Story byRoopa Iyer
Produced byNarayan Hosmane
Subraya Hosmane
Roopa Iyer
StarringSanya Iyer
Roopa Iyer
CinematographyS. Ramachandra
Edited byP. Haridas
Music byHamsalekha
Production
company
India Classic Arts
Release dates
  • September 2009 (2009-09) (Irish Film Festival)
  • 19 February 2010 (2010-02-19)
Running time
112 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada
Box office10 million[1]

Plot

edit

The film is about the children suffering from HIV/AIDS. 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

edit

Reception

edit

Critical response

edit

BSS from Deccan Herald 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" [3] A critic from Bangalore Mirror 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".[4]

Awards

edit
Award / Film Festival Category Recipient Result Reference
Irish Film Festival Best Feature Film Roopa Iyer Won [5]
Yosemite International Film Festival Silver Sierra Best Feature Film Roopa Iyer Won [5]
Karnataka State Film Awards Special Film of Social Concern Roopa Iyer Won [6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "'Mukhaputa' Made Rs.1 Crore Profit". supergoodmovies.com. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Roopa impresses with directorial debut". The New Indian Express. 3 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Mukhaputa". Deccan Herald. 19 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Mukhaputa: Mama don't preach". Bangalore Mirror. 18 February 2010.
  5. ^ a b "The Kannada film that stole a jury's heart". Rediff. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ^ "Controversies cloud Karnataka state film awards". The New Indian Express. 4 December 2010.
edit