'Eltuu Muthaa' movie review: Unfiltered life of funeral drummers

I would like to begin my impressions of ‘Eltuu Muthaa’ with a warning. A caveat perhaps. The film is not for the faint-hearted. It features raw, animalistic violence, and family audiences may want to exercise discretion. Its voyeuristic portrayal of women also leaves a bitter taste for discerning viewers.

Barring these, Raa Surya’s debut film, described as a ‘musical journey into the life of Muthaa’, is an intriguing mystery thriller.

The film chronicles the turbulent lives of two childhood friends, Eltuu and Muthaa, both funeral drummers. It delves into cultural beliefs around death and mourning, past deeds and their repercussions, and egos.

Though of different temperaments, Eltuu and Muthaa remain thick as thieves into adulthood. Eltuu steals garlands placed on corpses, and gives them to gullible women to woo them. Muthaa, as the tagline says, is ‘innocent wild’.

Their lives take a turbulent turn when Muthaa discovers a conch shell (shankha) with magical powers, attracting the attention of greedy pursuers.

Set in Kodagu, Karnataka’s own Kashmir, Meiyappa Bhaskar’s cinematography captures the region’s
pristine beauty. The lush hills and valleys mirror the emotional ebbs and tides of the duo’s lives.

The film uses the mystical metaphor of a snake-peacock rivalry to underline its themes. Surya engages audiences by portraying the stigma and exploitation funeral drummers face.

Strong performances by the ensemble cast, an evocative score by Prasanna Keshava K S, and Bhaskar’s visuals make ‘Eltuu Muthaa’ worth a watch. There’s even a hint of a sequel.