Ammacchiyemba Nenapu to hit screens on Nov 1

Kannada movie ‘Ammacchiyemba Nenapu,’ based on the writer Vaidehi’s short stories will hit the screens on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1.

Vaidehi told reporters at Patrika Bhavan on Monday that ‘Ammacchiyemba Nenapu’ was a woman-centric film. The character of Ammacchi highlights the atrocities faced by women in a male-dominated society. “Ammachi is a free thinker and protests against inequalities in her own way. Most women would relate to the character. The film will force the society into an introspection. Ammacchi represents women who no longer feel safe in any corner of the house,” she stressed.

Film Director Champa P Shetty said Vaidehi’s three stories ‘Ammacchiyemba Nenapu’, ‘Akku’ and ‘Puttammatte Mattu Mommagalu’, published between 1980 and 1990 was compiled and adapted first for theatre. It was while reading a review on Vaidehi’s short stories by Dr Ashadevi in a Kannada daily Prajavani that the concept of the play struck in her mind. The play performed by Rangamantapa troupe staged 49 shows across the country. Motivated by the play’s huge success, Champa decided to bring the story onto the big screen.

The film was shot in the locations of Karnire village in Padubidri in Udupi district. Ammacchiyemba Nenapu will be released in all multiplexes across the state and also in single theatres in Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapur and Sirsi.

Raj B Shetty of ‘Ondu Motteya Kathe’ fame and Vyjayanti V Adiga are in the lead roles. Raj declared the film as a bridge cinema, for this film bridges the gap between popular and art cinema. “I play a negative character Venkappaiah, in this film,” he revealed.

Vyjayanti Adiga, who donned the role of Ammacchi in plays makes her debut in the film as Ammacchi. Vyjayanti Adiga revealed reading the original story by Vaidehi in order to understand the character. She said the film was an emotional journey for her.

In this film, Vaidehi turned into a full-fledged dialogue writer. Kundagannada dialect is used in the film to retain the regional touch. Of the six songs written by Vaidehi, one is in Kundagannada.

Hindustani vocalist Pt Kashinath Pattar has provided the music for the film. Sangeeta Katti, Anuradha Bhat, Dr Shamita Malnad, Mangala Ravi and Manasa Holla have sung the songs.

The film is produced by Kalakadamba art centre, Prakash Shetty, Geeta Suratkal, Vandana Inamdar and Gowramma.