Director Islahuddin brings Hanuru Chennappa’s compelling novel to life with the upcoming Kannada film ‘Anna,’ set to release on September 6. In a time when adaptations of literary works are rare, this film stands out, offering a vivid glimpse into rural life and the impact of a young boy’s disappearance during a village fair on his community.
Set against the scenic backdrops of Chamarajanagar, MM Hills, and Mandya, ‘Anna’ delves into the vital role of rice in rural communities and the consequences of its scarcity. Islahuddin, who stepped in to direct the film unexpectedly, describes it as a story that captures ‘the extraordinary within the ordinary,’ focusing on the lives of a farmer, a mother, and their community in the 1980s.
Author Hanuru Chennappa, who penned the novel in 2004, drew inspiration from his experiences in Chamarajanagar, where a boy went missing for six months and returned only after his family promised to cook rice for him. This experience led him to explore how scarcity affects people’s lives.
Produced by Basavaraju S under Gagan Pictures, ‘Anna’ features a talented cast, including Sampath Maitreya, Bala Rajawadi, Padmasree Mahale, Bhuvana Mysuru, and Master Nandan in a key role. The film’s music is composed by Nagensh Kandegala, with cinematography by Madhu Sugata.
