Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye review: An ordinary tale of love, loss, and life that is simply extraordinary

After a glorifying career as an actress, Ramya couldn’t have been prouder with her maiden production venture Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye.

It’s a perfect start to Ramya’s production banner — AppleBox Studios.

Meanwhile, Raj B Shetty, as a writer and director, comes up with one of his finest tales that leaves an everlasting impression on the mind and heart.

So, let’s delve straight into why it is extraordinary and easily the best in recent times from the Kannada film industry:

Synopsis

The story revolves around two primary characters: Prerana, a counsellor played by Siri Ravikumar and Aniketh, a terminally ill patient portrayed by Raj B Shetty.

The premise is mostly set in the hospice where terminally ill patients are treated and taken care of; a place where the ill is prepared well to face his/her final day.

Life moves on more or less the monotonous way for Prerana until Aniketh gets admitted. However, he is not interested in counselling.

What happens thereafter for little over one hour is a matured saga of life, love, loss, and happiness amidst a place where there is too little time to experience them all.

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Brilliant portrayal

Writer-director-actor Raj B Shetty is at his best after his impressive debut Ondu Motteya Kathe (2017), a brilliant comedy on life. He has been doing phenomenally well with a wide range of films with different narratives.

Here, Raj B Shetty showcases his mature thinking with a philosophical touch and no commercial elements whatsoever attached to it.

In Toby (2023), he plays an innocent and furious being for a reason. But here, Aniketh has a contrasting personality laced with several layers of emotions.

Why Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye stands out as a refreshing tale is because everything it talks about makes complete sense. No action, no blood, no item songs, no self-aggrandising acts and no punching dialogue; yet, it is a true entertainer!

Strictly made for mature minds, the tale of a dying man who befriends his counsellor just before his final days is brilliantly depicted metaphorically.

That’s not all, the film also displays through Prerana the tale of a married woman who deals with her marital issues with utmost maturity.

Aniketh sees a beautiful life through his room’s window right from an ordinary Crape Jasmine plant. The scene gives a deeper meaning to why life need not be extravagant and extraordinary to experience but even simpler existence is good enough to live to one’s satisfaction.

Also Read: Kannada cinema still lacks in terms of substantial roles for women: Ramya

Raj and Siri are visual treat

Apart from the tale, the subtle representation of a complex subject, it is the performances by Raj B Shetty and Siri Ravikumar that are a treat to watch.

The pure chemistry between a patient and a counsellor and then between two friends on a higher level makes this cinematic brilliance a memorable one that leaves a haunting experience in the end.

While Raj B Shetty is known for his impeccable natural talent, it is Siri Ravikumar who surprises in her debut act.

Then comes the music which is not just soothing but makes sure that the audience cries their hearts out during the soulful journey.

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Verdict

Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye is a must-watch for all those who have been longing for a mature and meaningful experience. It is not just a film but a feeling that lasts forever.

Kudos to Ramya for daring to produce it and Raj B Shetty for nailing it perfectly, both on- and off-screen.

And, a special mention to Siri Ravikumar for her subtle yet effective portrayal of Prerana.

(Views expressed here are personal.)