Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa
| Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Abhilash Shetty |
| Written by | Abhilash Shetty |
| Produced by | Abhilash Shetty |
| Starring | Samrudhi Kundapura, Sanidhya Acharya, Radha Ramachandra, Prabhakar Kunder |
| Cinematography | Swaroop Yashwanth |
| Edited by | Abhilash Shetty |
| Music by | M.R. Prahast |
Production company | Plan A Films |
Release dates | |
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (English: Sunday Special) is a Kannada comedy drama film written, directed, and produced by Abhilash Shetty. The film follows an 11-year-old girl's quirky adventure to seek a forbidden chicken curry on Gandhi Jayanti, a day when meat sales are banned nationwide.[1][2]
The film premiered at the 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival on 4 December 2024, and had a theatrical release in India on 9 May 2025.[3][4]
And had its New York premiere at the 25th New York Indian Film Festival on 22 June 2025.[5]
Synopsis
Sneha is an 11-year-old schoolgirl residing in a small town and has a deep love for chicken dishes. Every Sunday, her family cooks her favorite chicken dish. Anticipating the same delight on a particular Sunday coinciding with Gandhi Jayanthi, Sneha learns about the nationwide prohibition on meat consumption as a gesture of non-violence. Sneha goes on a quirky adventure pursuing a forbidden chicken curry, challenging societal norms, and encountering unforeseen twists.[6][7]
Cast
- Samrudhi Kundapura as Sneha
- Sanidhya Acharya as Sophia
- Radha Ramachandra as Vanaja
- Prabhakar Kunder as Mahabala Shetty
- Ganesh Mogaveera as Manja
Release
Theatrical
The film was released in cinemas across Karnataka on 9 May 2025, following its film festival run.
Home media
Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa was released on Amazon Prime Video in India on 13 June 2025.[10] [11] [12]
Reception
The Times of India gave 3.5 stars out of 5 saying "a deliciously personal adventure that leaves you smiling and hungry".[13] The Hindu praised the film and said, "Director Abhilash Shetty's sophomore effort is a charming film that balances gentle humour with socio-political commentary."[8] Deccan Herald gave 3.5 stars and praised the film for its well-crafted screenplay, noting that "Abhilash weaves this in a well-written screenplay. There's never a dull moment. By the end of the film, you're craving for a meal of koli curry yourself."[9] Asian Movie Pulse gave the film a positive review, calling it a "Charming and likeable tale".[14] French magazine KinoCulture Montreal gave 3.5 stars out of 5 saying "La nostalgie comme repère moral".[15] Vague Visages described the film as "never a dull moment".[16] OTTplay awarded the film 3.5 stars, describing it as a "sweet and funny tale."[17]
References
- ^ "Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa release: Koli Taal maker Abhilash Shetty". OTTPlay. 1 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ "Review: ಮೇ. 9ಕ್ಕೆ ರಾಜ್ಯದಾದ್ಯಂತ 'ನಾಳೆ ರಜಾ ಕೋಳಿ ಮಜಾ' ತೆರೆಗೆ". Janaprathinidhi. 3 May 2025.
- ^ "Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa trailer: The quest for a holiday special chicken curry on a dry day". OTTPlay. 1 May 2025.
- ^ "'Koli Taal' director's second feature to release on May 9". Deccan Herald. 8 May 2025.
- ^ "'Naale Rajaa' To Premiere At NYIFF". India West. May 2025. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ "It is his Grandmother's Kori Taal that inspired Abhilash Shetty". The Times of India. 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Abhilash Shetty's Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa hitting cinemas on May 9". Prajavani. 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ a b "'Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa' movie review: A delightful satire on food politics". The Hindu. 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b "'Naale Rajaa, Koli Majaa' movie review: A mouthwatering outing set in picturesque Malnad". Deccan Herald. 10 May 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ "Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa out on OTT: Abhilash Shetty's second film in his Koli Trilogy is now available to stream". OTTplay. 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Kannada OTT: ಮಲೆನಾಡಿನ ಸುಂದರ ಕಥನ, ಇಲ್ಲೊಂದು ಹೊಚ್ಚ ಹೊಸ ಚಿಣ್ಣರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಒಟಿಟಿಗೆ ಬಂದೇ ಬಿಡ್ತು!". News18 Kannada. 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Kannada comedy‑drama Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa lands on OTT today via Amazon Prime Video". Telugu Hindustan Times. 13 June 2025.
- ^ "'Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa Movie Review : a deliciously personal adventure that leaves you smiling and hungry". The Times of India. 11 May 2025.
- ^ "Film Review: Sunday Special (2024) by Abhilash Shetty". Asian Movie Pulse. December 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ "La nostalgie comme repère moral". KinoCulture Montreal. 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Review: Abhilash Shetty's 'Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa'". Vague Visages. 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Review: Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa movie review: When Gandhi Jayanti plays spoilsport for a Sunday special". OTTplay. 8 May 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.