Mathadana

Mathadana (2001)

ಮತದಾನ

Ram Linge Gowda and Markhande Gowda are at odds with each other as the former refuses the latter to help win the upcoming elections. Film reveals the caste based politics and other dynamics that grip the democratic institution of ballot box in India

Date of release
2001-01-12
Runtime
2h 27m
Director
T. N. Seetharam

Casting

Interesting facts

Mathadana (transl. Voting) is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language political drama film directed by T. N. Seetharam, based on S. L. Bhyrappa's novel of the same name. It feaures an ensemble cast of Anant Nag, Devaraj, Tara, Hemanth Vasisht and Avinash. Set in the early 1970s, the film follows Dr. Shivappa (Vasisht), an idealistic rural doctor who becomes entangled in the corrupt world of electoral politics during a fiercely contested election in the erstwhile Mysore State. The film explores how political ambition and power struggles affect the lives of ordinary people around him, including an honest contractor (Nag) and his family.

Production

In the late 1990s, television director T. N. Seetharam had gained popularity through serials such as Mayamruga, Manvantara and Muktha. He was approached by H. G. Narayan of Anikethana Chithra, who, along with I. M. Vittal Murthy, then an IAS officer heading the Department of Kannada and Culture, had previously produced Kanooru Heggadithi (1999), an adaptation of Kuvempu's novel.

Seetharam was drawn to the novel's depiction of the socio-political divisions between old and new Mysore, and its exploration of caste and electoral politics. Bhyrappa initially refused to grant the film rights, but later agreed following the persuasion of journalist Hamanayaka, who frequently wrote about Seetharam's Mayamruga. It was reported that Seetharam bought the rights for a fee between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh.

Seetharam stated that he was drawn to the novel because of its central character, a rural doctor known in his village for treating patients selflessly and without concern for money. He said that the story revolved around how the doctor is manipulated by politicians and how this affects his personal life.

The film was shot in Thirthahalli, which Seetharam chose because it was associated with Kuvempu and provided the backdrop he required for the story. A major fair sequence required a large crowd, but the production could not afford to hire thousands of junior artistes.

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