
Director Madhusudan Havaldar's upcoming Kannada film Kaakhandaki Sri Mahipatidasaru traces the life of Mahipatidasaru, who joined the Haridasa tradition after Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa. The film explores his transformation from a…
Director Madhusudan Havaldar's upcoming Kannada film Kaakhandaki Sri Mahipatidasaru traces the life of Mahipatidasaru, who joined the Haridasa tradition after Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa. The film explores his transformation from a court official under Adil Shah to a spiritual figure influenced by Bhaskar Guruji and Sufi saint Shanung.

The film's title refers to Kaakhandaki in Vijayapura district, where Mahipatidasaru's sacred place is located. Havaldar, who has directed four previous films on Haridasas including Sri Jagannathadasaru, has composed the music himself for this project. Vijayanand Nayak plays the lead role, with story and dialogues by Dr Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni.
The team previewed the film to subject experts to ensure historical accuracy. The film is produced by Matambuja Movies and is expected to release in theatres in October.
Madhusudan Havaldar's five-film series on Haridasas fills a gap in Kannada cinema, which rarely explores pre-colonial spiritual figures beyond Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa. Mahipatidasaru's trajectory from a Muslim-ruled court to a Hindu devotional tradition reflects the syncretic culture of the Deccan. The film's release timing, October, positions it for the festive season, when devotional content typically finds audiences in Karnataka. With no major star attached, the film's success will depend on word-of-mouth and Havaldar's established niche audience.
Source: cinemaexpress.com
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