Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023 film)

Kousalya Supraja Rama is a 2023 Kannada-language realistic drama film directed by Shashank, who co-produced the film with B. C. Patil, and written by Yadunandan. The film stars Darling Krishna, Brinda Acharya and Milana Nagaraj in the lead roles.

Kousalya Supraja Rama was released on 28 July 2023, where it received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film became a commercial success at the box office grossing over ₹15 crores and was the fourth highest grossing film of the year.

Plot
Inspired by his father Siddegowda's toxic masculinity, Rama becomes a chauvinist and his life takes a turn when he falls in love with Shivani, but she leaves him after being a victim of his consistently toxic traits. After his mother Kousalya's death, Rama decides to transform himself and marries Muthulakshmi, an alcoholic with a serious baggage and a girl chosen by Kousalya.

Rama's new phase of life with Muthulakshmi makes him realize the mistakes which he made in the past, where he begins to cure Muthulakshmi of her alcoholism. Muthulakshmi leaves for a party with her old friends, where Rama also arrives and finds that Muthulakshmi's friend Nishan was mixing drugs in Muthulakshmi's drink, which became the reason for her alcoholism.

A scuffle ensues and a drunk Muthulakshmi knocks Rama with a glass bottle, where he is admitted to the hospital. Enraged about the attack, Siddegowda files a complaint against her, but Rama withdraws Siddegowda's complaint and makes him realize his past mistakes. Rama reunites with a reformed Muthulakshmi and they lead a happy life.

Cast

 * Darling Krishna as Ram
 * Brinda Acharya as Shivani, Ram's former love interest
 * Milana Nagaraj as Muthulakshmi, Ram's wife
 * Rangayana Raghu as Siddegowda, Ram's father
 * Sudha Belawadi as Kousalya, Ram's mother
 * Achyuth Kumar as Sathyanath
 * Nagabhushana as Santhu

Production
The film was announced by Darling Krishna and Shashank. The film is produced by Krishna. Brinda Acharya was cast as the lead opposite him. While Milana Nagaraj was cast as the other lead, marking their sixth onscreen pairing.

Release
The film was released on 28 July 2023. The movie ran for over 50 days in few theatres across Karnataka. The Digital rights of the movie was bagged by Amazon Prime and premiered on 15 September 2023. While the television premiere was on 7 October 2023 in Zee Kannada.

Reception
Kousalya Supraja Rama received unanimously positive reviews from the critics, who lauded the writing, direction, performances and music in the cinema.

Harish Basavarajaiah of The Times of India wrote "the movie has the potential to cater to every class of audience, with a resonating message, which is emotionally connecting too." Y Maheswara Reddy of Bangalore Mirror wrote "All in all, Kousalya Supraja Rama is worth a watch by all, especially those who want to know the value of a mother."

Vivek M. V. of The Hindu wrote "Kousalya Supraja Rama is thoroughly watchable because the writing is mostly focused on the film’s central theme. An important subject has been dealt with sensitivity." A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express wrote "The cinema breaks away from the typical style, presenting a fresh and unique storyline. In an industry frequently criticised for promoting male chauvinism, the director takes a distinctive perspective by portraying the idea of a 'real man' from a woman’s viewpoint."