Kannada films in theatres on May 19: Daredevil Musthafa vs Suman

Kannada cinema has had quite a dull spell for almost a month, what with barely any film releases owing to the Karnataka state elections. Now that the elections are over, film teams have slowly and steadily begun announcing releases and next week, there are two confirmed Kannada movies in theatres.

First up to announce May 19 as the chosen date with audiences was debutante director Shashank Soghal with his Daredevil Musthafa. Based on a short story by litterateur Poornachandra Tejaswi, the film follows events that unfold at Abachuru College, where teachers keep an eye on the boys and the boys on the girls, we are told. All is well here, until a new student called Musthafa comes along and changes everything. The film, presented by Daali Dhananjaya, stars Shishir Baikady, ditya Ashree, Abhay, Supreeth Bharadwaj, Aashith, Srivatsa, Prerana, Nagabhushana, Poorna Mysore, Mandya Ramesh, Sundar and Veena Sundar, among others.

The other film that has joined the fray is Dharma Keerthiraj’s Suman. Directed by Ravi Sagar, the film is a love story with not one, but three leading ladies opposite Dharma, namely Nimika Ratnakar, Zarine and Rajani Bharadwaj. According to the director, he has attempted to present a love triangle with a difference. The film was shot in locations across Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Malpe and also stars Jai Jagdish, Ugramm Manju, Mitra GG, among others. The film has music by Zubin Paul.

While Shashank’s film has had some degree of promotions in the lead up to the release, the poster of Suman announcing that it would be in theatres on May 19 took netizens by surprise. There’s been no word from the film team and no promotions whatsoever, prompting some to ask what the point was of such a theatrical outing. The team has not even released a trailer yet.