| Kataka | |
| Director: | Ravi Basrur |
| Producer: | N. S. Rajkumar |
| Starring: |
|
| Cinematography: | Sachin Basrur |
| Editing: | Ravi Basrur |
| Music: | Ravi Basrur |
| Studio: | Omkar Movies |
| Distributor: | KRG Studios |
| Runtime: | 107 minutes[1] |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Kannada |
Kataka is a 2017 Kannada horror film, written and directed by Ravi Basrur.[2] The film marks Basrur's directing debut, which is based on a number of true incidents that occurred in the coastal region of Karnataka.[3]
Kataka has been dubbed into 15 languages and is the first Kannada film to be dubbed into English.[4] The film portrays real-life scenarios (culture of coastal India) with a horror-like ambiance.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, Kumar returns to his native village along with his wife Vandhana and their four-year-old daughter Kavya. Though having to leave at the age of four following his mother's death, he has always loved his village and its culture—eventually bringing him back.[5]
With the help of his uncle and a childhood friend, Kumar plans to start a school in the village to provide better education for its children. However, an ancient curse is placed on his family after his daughter unwittingly touches an enchanted item. Challenges and obstacles thus begin to appear along the way, which Kumar finds difficulty in coping with. By each passing day, his enemies multiply along with his struggles. The film thereby follows Kumar as he deals with these dilemmas.[6]
| Kataka | |
| Type: | Soundtrack |
| Artist: | Ravi Basrur |
| Caption: | Soundtrack cover |
| Released: | 29 July 2017 |
| Recorded: | 2017 |
| Studio: | Omkar Movies |
| Genre: | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length: | 4:33 |
| Label: | Ravi Basrur Music |
| Producer: | Ravi Basrur |
| Prev Title: | Vaira |
| Prev Year: | 2017 |
| Next Title: | Mufti |
| Next Year: | 2017 |
Track list
The film had a limited release on 13 October 2017 in 13 languages, including Kannada, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kodava, Hindi, Punjabi, Beary, Assamese, Konkani, and Marathi.[4] [7]
Kataka was the first Kannada movie to be dubbed in English.
Ravi Basrur has announced plans to direct a sequel, albeit with new actors while retaining most of his original technical team. The plot, however, will not be a direct continuation of the first film.[8]
The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Along with the direction of Ravi Basrur, Shlagha Saligrama has been praised for a notable performance.[9] Saligrama won the 2017 Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Female) and the SIIMA Special Award for Best Child Artist.[10] [11] Ravi Basrur was nominated for the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director in the Kannada category,[12] [13] but lost to Tharun Sudhir for his work in chowka.[14]