Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige is literally translated as 'Speak oh! Jasmine, speak'. The film made by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar with the Kannada film industry's most lovable pair, Vishnuvardhan and Suhasini in the lead, truly spreads the fragrance of jasmine.
It also sends a strong message against globalisation and reforms that is going on in the country without any care for the poor.
Nagathihalli has been personally participating in the struggles against globalisation and environmental degradation but this is the first time that he has made a film on the issue closest to his heart. And one must say he has succeeded in making a film of high quality with astounding visuals and great performances.
What is remarkable about the film is that Nagathihalli has been able to send his message across in the mainstream cinema format with all the commercial ingredients attached to it.
The director has selected the best performers and the best technical crew. The locations in the border districts of Bellary, Uttara Kannada, Coastal Karnataka, etc are apt to the story. And as a writer, he has made splendid contribution through hard hitting dialogues and an array of statistical details.
After seeing many worthless remakes week after week, an original film like Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige is a welcome relief. It is the story of one man's crusade against the combined onslaught of political and multinational nexus. They want to buy ten villages and a river for mining purposes.The mining license has been awarded by a corrupt minister who engages an MLA and his sidekick to convince the farmers.
Hoovaiah, a learned progressive farmer who grows jasmine is emotionally attached to his land and village. He opposes the acquisition and warns the villagers of the consequences.
Meanwhile, a small group of Naxalites enter the area to fight against the multinationals. His family life goes into disarray and his two daughters ditch him in his fight against the giants. Hoovaiah loses his wife in the police violence and his third daughter deserts him to join the Naxalite movement.
Finally Hoovaiah decides to follow the non-violent path of Mahatma Gandhi and emerges victorious in the battle.
Dr Vishnuvardhan lives as Hoovaiah and it is courageous on his part to accept such a role that has no space for his action image. It is certainly one of his best performances.
And what can you say about this wonderful actress called Suhasini Manirathnam? She is simply outstanding as Hoovaiah's wife.
Sudeep has a small role as the Naxalite leader but his entry towards the end will certainly electrify the audience. He has once again shown that he is as an artist of great calibre. All the character artists like Doddanna, Rangayana Raghu, Mandya Ramesh, Tara and even the people who have appeared in small scenes, look real.
Technically the film is superb with cinematographer Krishna Kumar scoring brownie points.Mano Murthy once again rocks with some fantastic songs especially the title song, Banna Bannada. Editing by Basavaraj Urs is superb. Art director Arun Sagar has also done a fantastic job.
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige is not a film with slow paced narration; it is a commercial film with a good message. A must-see film.
Rediff Rating: 
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