Tatsama Tadbhava

Tatsama Tadbhava is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language suspense thriller film directed and written by Vishal Atreya and produced by Pannaga Bharana along with Spurti Anil and Chethan Nanjundaiah under PB Studios and Anvit Cinemas banner. The film stars Meghana Raj and Prajwal Devaraj in the lead roles. The music is composed by Vasuki Vaibhav while the cinematography and editing are handled by Srinivas Ramaiah and Ravi Aradhya, respectively The film is about a young woman who seeks help from the police after her husband goes missing and faces traumatic events in the process. It marks the return of Meghana Raj to acting after four years.

The film was released theatrically on 15 September 2023 and received a positive response from critics and audiences alike. It was declared one of the top ten films released in 2023 by the Kannada film industry.

Plot
On 23 May 2004, Arika lodged a missing complaint of her husband, Sanjay. Eighteen years later, Nidhi – Arika and Sanjay's daughter, goes through the case files of her missing father in an attempt to find the truth surrounding his disappearance.

Inspector Aravind Ashwatthama leads the investigation, but soon, the missing complaint turns into a murder investigation. When Arika finds Sanjay's decomposed body inside a trunk in the basement of their own house, Aravind's relentless investigation leads him to various suspects, and Arika becomes the prime suspect in the case.

The case then takes an unexpected turn when Matthew enters and divulges that it is a double murder and the second person murdered is his lover, Akira, who is the twin sister of Arika.

What follows is a series of interrogations led by Aravind to find Sanjay's killer and, in the process, determine the truth behind Matthew's allegations. The case files answer Nidhi's questions, but she did not anticipate that those answers would shake her world. Although Aravind solved the case, its mystery will forever remain unsolved.

Cast

 * Prajwal Devaraj as Aravind Ashwatthama
 * Meghana Raj as Arika
 * Aravind Iyer as Matthew
 * Balaji Manohar as Siddharth
 * T. S. Nagabharana as Vasudev
 * Rajshri Ponnappa as Shalini
 * Mahathi Vaishnavi Bhat as Nidhi
 * Shruti as Suman
 * Girija Lokesh as Savitha
 * Devaraj in a guest appearance

Music
The music of the film was composed by Vasuki Vaibhav.

Release
Tatsama Tadbhava, released on 15 September 2023, garnered acclaim from critics and audiences during its theatrical run. The film's compelling narrative and performances from Meghana Raj Sarja and Prajwal Devaraj contributed to its success, marking a notable 25-day run in theaters. Surpassing expectations, it continued to captivate viewers for 36 days before making its way to Prime Video, where it reached a broader audience, further solidifying its place as one of the best crime thrillers of Kannada cinema.

Reception
Tatsama Tadbhava opened to an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and audiences alike. The screenplay and direction by Vishal Atreya, marked by its nuanced character development and intensity, demonstrated a seasoned touch, surprising for a debut director. The film's pacing and narrative arc engaged audiences from start to finish and received a commendation. Meghana Raj Sarja portrayed her character with depth and conviction, which drew the audience's admiration and was declared the best performance by a female lead. Prajwal Devaraj shattered the boundaries of a commercial hero with a standout performance. He was willing to push artistic barriers, further solidifying his position as an actor who continues evolving and captivating audiences.

Critical response
Subha J. Rao from the News minute gave it 4/5 stars and wrote "Vishal Atreya beautifully constructed this thriller, headlined by Meghana Raj and Prajwal Devaraj". Deccan Herald gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "What lifts an ordinary investigation to an edge-of-the-seat thriller are compelling performances, captivating screenplay, and top-notch technical qualities." Prathiba joy from Ott play gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "Tatsama tadbhava is the kind of film that requires rapt attention from start to finish; every word, every movement, even the slightest flick of a finger, tells a tale".

Harish Basavarajaiah of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "The investigative thriller, aided by good actors and technical brilliance, can be thoroughly enjoyed in theatres. Bangalore Mirror wrote, "Tatsama tadbhava is a treat for suspense enthusiasts, presenting a twisted narrative that keeps you guessing till the end. Director Vishal Atreya's skillful direction and the cast's stellar performances make this movie a worthy watch for anyone seeking a thrilling cinematic experience."

News18 wrote, "Meghana's performance is a standout, as she embodies her mysterious character with finesse and maintains an enigmatic presence throughout the film. Debutant director Vishal Atreya deserves commendation for his skillful screenplay craftsmanship". The Hindu wrote "Tatsama Tadbhava directed by debutant Vishal Atreya, and starring Prajwal Devaraj and Meghana Raj Sarja, is a gripping thriller helped by a clever plot and a tightly woven screenplay".

A Sharadhaa from The Indian Express wrote "The film's conclusion left a lasting impact, exploring the complexity of situations.Vishal Atreya's debut featured a talented cast, focusing more on conversations than the typical whodunit approach. The film is divided into five engaging segments, delving into the mysteries of a missing husband, an emotional journey, and intriguing inquiries. Meghana Raj Sarja and Prajwal Devaraj delivered compelling performances, anchoring the story effectively." Southfirst wrote "Tatsama Tadbhava is not one of a kind, but it certainly is an unusual whodunnit saga packed and delivered to good effect."

Home Release
Tatsama Tadbhava became available for streaming on 20 October 2023, on Amazon Prime Video in Kannada (with English subtitles).