Dia (film)
{{short description|Indian Kannada-language romantic film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Dia
| image = Dia (2020 Kannada film) film poster.jpeg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = K. S. Ashoka
| writer = K. S. Ashoka
| producer = D Krishna Chaitanya
| starring = Kushee Ravi
Pruthvi Ambaar
Dheekshith Shetty
| music = B. Ajaneesh Loknath
| cinematography = Vishal Vittal
Sourabh Waghmare
| editing = Naveen Raj
| studio = Sri Swarnalatha Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2020|02|07}}
| distributor = KRG Studios
| country = India
| language = Kannada
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Dia is a 2020 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. S. Ashoka, and produced by D Krishna Chaitanya under Sri Swarnalatha Productions. It stars Kushee Ravi, Pruthvi Ambaar and Dheekshith Shetty, with a score by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. It was released on 7 February 2020 and was a box office success. It was re-released in 2021.
The plot follows the titular character who falls for her crush Rohit. When they get into an accident and Rohit dies, Dia tries to move on with another man named Adi only to find out that Rohit is still alive.
Dia was released on 7 February 2020 and was a success. The film was remade in Telugu as Dear Megha (2021), in Hindi as Dear Dia (2022) and in Marathi as Sari (2023).
Plot
Dia Swaroop, an introverted biotechnology college student who lives in Bengaluru, has a crush on Rohit. She does not express her feelings for him before he moves out of the country. Three years later, Dia encounters Rohit in Mumbai, where she has moved and is now working. The two gradually begin to develop a bond, and Rohit proposes his love for her. One night, as they are returning home from a movie, they get into an accident after a car hits them. When Dia wakes up in the hospital and asks for Rohit, her father's friend tells her that Rohit has died. Unable to accept Rohit's death, Dia becomes severely depressed and leaves to Bengaluru, where she decides to kill herself at a railway crossing. Facing an oncoming train, she is interrupted by a phone call from Adi, who has retrieved Dia's bag from a thief. Annoyed, she tells him to keep it and not to call her again. Dia and Adi then run into one another several times, and Dia reveals her past to him. Adi charms Dia out of her depression; they become friends and eventually fall in love.
Dia returns to Mumbai, where she is shocked to find Rohit waiting for her. Rohit explains that he was declared brain dead, and that it was uncertain that he would regain consciousness, causing her father to tell his friend to lie to her with the hope that she would move on. Dia calls Adi and tells him that Rohit is alive. Adi, heartbroken, tells Dia that she should be happy with Rohit. Despite his mother forbidding him to see Dia, Adi goes to see her one last time. He finds Dia disheartened and Rohit happy, wishes them well and returns home. While away, Adi's mother has died from a heart attack, and he learns that she could have been saved had someone been there. Meanwhile, Dia confesses her college love, how she thought he died and how she met Adi to Rohit. A distressed Rohit tells her to return to Adi so that she will be happy. Elated, Dia goes to Adi's home and finds an auto driver who tells her that he is missing. She and the driver search for him until another auto driver reveals that Adi has gone to the railroad crossing where she attempted to kill herself. Adi has decided to kill himself at the railway crossing because he feels immense guilt over his mother's death and believes that he will be unable to live without his mother and Dia. He prays to God one last time for Dia's happiness and waits for the train. Dia reaches him and calls out; Adi turns to her, surprised, and is hit by a train as a startled Dia watches.
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Kushee Ravi as Dia Swaroop
- Pruthvi Ambaar as Adi
- Dheekshith Shetty as Rohit
- Pavithra Lokesh as Dr. Lakshmi "Lucky", Adi's mother
- Arvind Rao as Dia's father{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/arvind-rau-talks-about-his-favourite-actors/articleshow/78966119.cms|title=Arvind Rau Talks About His Favourite Actors|work=The Times of India|first=Vinay|last=Lokesh|date=31 October 2020|access-date=12 February 2024|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004013703/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/arvind-rau-talks-about-his-favourite-actors/articleshow/78966119.cms|url-status=live}}
- Rajesh Rao as Dia's father's friend{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/producers-make-a-beeline-for-remake-rights-of-kannada-hit-dia/articleshow/75161325.cms|title=Producers Make A Beeline For Remake Rights Of Kannada Hit Dia|date=15 April 2020|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 February 2024|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221062514/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/producers-make-a-beeline-for-remake-rights-of-kannada-hit-dia/articleshow/75161325.cms|url-status=live}}
- Jyothi Rai as Rohit's sister
- Chandan Ravandur N as a train passenger{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ba1gHTtsUw|title=Dia|type=motion picture|language=kn|publisher=Sri Swarnalatha Productions|year=2020|time=2:13:18|time-caption=Closing credits, from|via=SL MovieFlix|access-date=12 February 2024|archive-date=17 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517075116/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ba1gHTtsUw|url-status=live}}
- Gokul Chakravarthy as an auto driver{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/dia-completes-two-years-of-its-release/articleshow/89401936.cms|title=Dia completes two years of {{as written|i|t's [sic]}} release|date=7 February 2022|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 February 2024|archive-date=12 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512033424/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/dia-completes-two-years-of-its-release/articleshow/89401936.cms|url-status=live}}
- Rakesh Srinivas as an auto driver
- Darshan Apoorva as Rohit's friend
- Rudwin as Rohit's friend
}}
Production
K. S. Ashoka's initially worked on this film's script before making his directorial debut with the low budget horror film 6-5=2 (2013) but left the film due to budget constraints.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2020/Feb/01/following-success-formula-is-just-a-myth-director-ks-ashoka-2097240.html|title=Following success formula is just a myth: Director KS Ashoka|work=The New Indian Express|first=A.|last=Sharadhaa|date=1 February 2020|access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=11 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511190319/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2020/Feb/01/following-success-formula-is-just-a-myth-director-ks-ashoka-2097240.html|url-status=live}} Production for the film officially started in 2016.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8|title=Film Time {{!}} Chit-Chat With Dia Movie Team {{!}} Pruthvi Ambaar, Dheekshith, Kushi|language=kn|work=Public TV|via=YouTube|date=6 February 2020|time=8:11-8:50|access-date=17 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516075758/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} The film featured then newcomers Kushee Ravi, Pruthvi Ambaar, and Dheekshith Shetty, who went on to star in various other works prior to the film's release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prajavani.net/entertainment/cinema/prutvi-ambar-591665.html|title=ಪ್ರಯೋಗಮುಖಿ ಪೃಥ್ವಿ ಅಂಬರ್|language=kn|first=ಪ್ರದೀಶ್|last=ಹಾರೊದ್ದು|work=Prajavani|date=4 December 2018|access-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005642/https://www.prajavani.net/entertainment/cinema/prutvi-ambar-591665.html|archive-date=4 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/an-actor-prepares-dheekshith-shetty-on-dasara-and-a-career-of-experimentation/article66655974.ece|title=An actor prepares: Dheekshith Shetty on 'Dasara' and a career of experimentation|first=Nalme|last=Nachiyar|date=25 March 2023|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 August 2023|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811003851/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/an-actor-prepares-dheekshith-shetty-on-dasara-and-a-career-of-experimentation/article66655974.ece|url-status=live}}
Ashoka broke up every dialogue of the film into svaras.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8|title=Film Time {{!}} Chit-Chat With Dia Movie Team {{!}} Pruthvi Ambaar, Dheekshith, Kushi|language=kn|work=Public TV|via=YouTube|date=6 February 2020|time=6:17-6:30|access-date=17 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516075758/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} The film was shot at various places in Karnataka including Bangalore, Karwar, Mangalore, and Udupi District (Kapu and Padukere Beach) apart from Hyderabad and Mumbai.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8|title=Film Time {{!}} Chit-Chat With Dia Movie Team {{!}} Pruthvi Ambaar, Dheekshith, Kushi|language=kn|work=Public TV|via=YouTube|date=6 February 2020|time=7:48-8:05|access-date=17 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516075758/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeD15foB0K8&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/in-pictures-pruthvi-ambaar-spends-a-serene-moment-at-one-of-his-favorite-dia-spots/articleshow/83507368.cms|title=In Pictures: Pruthvi Ambaar spends a serene moment at one of his favorite 'Dia' spots|date=14 June 2021|work=The Times of India|access-date=11 August 2023|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811221259/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/in-pictures-pruthvi-ambaar-spends-a-serene-moment-at-one-of-his-favorite-dia-spots/articleshow/83507368.cms|url-status=live}}
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = Dia
| type = soundtrack
| artist = B. Ajaneesh Loknath
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2020
| recorded = 2020
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 3:35
| label =
| producer =
| prev_title = Avane Srimannarayana
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Gentlemen
| next_year = 2020
}}
B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed Dia
{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = Soul of Dia
| lyrics1 = Dhananjay Ranjan
| extra1 = Chinmayi, Sanjith Hegde
| length1 = 3:35
}}
{{clear}}
Critical reception
Reviewing Dia for The Times of India, Sunayana Suresh gave the film four out of five stars, praising the realism of the story, the three main performances, the cinematography, and the score. Suresh noted that the story centers on the external and internal experiences and dialogues of the eponymous female protagonist. Suresh said that "the film is for those who want to experience cinema in a brave new style sans the commercial staples".{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/dia/movie-review/74000581.cms|title=Dia Movie Review: A heartwarming tale that leaves you misty eyed|work=The Times of India|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329021218/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/dia/movie-review/74000581.cms|url-status=live}} In a review for The Hindu, S. Shiva Kumar praised the direction, acting, writing and score, but criticised the conclusion as abrupt. Kumar said: "The acting is first-rate particularly Kushee and Pruvthvi. Pavithra Lokesh is all grace and poise in a beautifully written role".{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=S. Shiva |date=13 February 2020 |title=A look at K.S. Ashoka's 'Dia', the most interesting Kannada film of 2020 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/a-look-at-ks-ashokas-dia-the-most-interesting-kannada-film-of-2020/article30811034.ece |access-date=23 February 2020 |work=The Hindu|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219124438/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/a-look-at-ks-ashokas-dia-the-most-interesting-kannada-film-of-2020/article30811034.ece|archive-date=19 February 2020}}
In the Deccan Herald, Vivek M V praised the direction, score, and Shetty and Ambar's acting, while criticising the plot as predictable, as well as Kushee's performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-lifestyle/dia-review-a-pleasing-feel-good-romance-drama-803138.html|title=Dia Review, A Pleasing Feel Good Romance Drama|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215195428/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-lifestyle/dia-review-a-pleasing-feel-good-romance-drama-803138.html|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}} Asianet News, on the other hand, praised Kushee, as well as the screenplay, but noted that the beginning was slow.{{cite web |url=https://kannada.asianetnews.com/movie-reviews/kannada-movie-dia-film-review-q5davk |title=ಚಿತ್ರ ವಿಮರ್ಶೆ : ದಿಯಾ |trans-title=Film Review: Dia | language= kn |publisher=Asianet News|date=17 February 2020 |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216191740/https://kannada.asianetnews.com/movie-reviews/kannada-movie-dia-film-review-q5davk |archive-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live }} For The New Indian Express, A. Sharadhaa rated the film four out of five stars, praising the screenplay, direction, performances, music and cinematography. Sharadhaa said: "With a skillfully told love story - one that is not generic - the director creates a unique kind of euphoria with heartbreaks".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/kannada/2020/feb/07/dia-movie-review-16937.html|title=Dia movie review: Director Ashoka delivers a heart-warming, unique love story|website=Cinema Express|date=7 February 2020 |access-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215195432/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/kannada/2020/feb/07/dia-movie-review-16937.html|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}} Manoj Kumar R., also writing for The New Indian Express, said that although the film's title is "dia" ({{Translation|lamp}}), the film is "dark, gloomy and a tragedy of errors".{{Cite web |last=R. |first=Manoj Kumar |date=20 March 2020 |title=South Stream: KS Ashoka's Dia |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/south-stream-ks-ashokas-dia-6319097/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320093656/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/south-stream-ks-ashokas-dia-6319097/ |archive-date=20 March 2020 |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=The Indian Express}}
= Box office =
This film was one of the few commercially successful Kannada films in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/2020-a-flop-show/articleshow/79958685.cms|title=2020: A flop show|website=Bangalore Mirror|access-date=11 August 2023|archive-date=10 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810235402/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/2020-a-flop-show/articleshow/79958685.cms|url-status=live}} Ashoka expressed joy of the film's reach across different audiences through OTT platforms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2020/may/12/dia-has-given-me-an-identity-director-ks-ashoka-18418.html|title=Dia has given me an identity: director KS Ashoka|first=A.|last=Sharadhaa|work=Cinema Express|date=12 May 2020|access-date=11 August 2023|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811004118/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2020/may/12/dia-has-given-me-an-identity-director-ks-ashoka-18418.html|url-status=live}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col"| Award{{efn|Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.}}
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony{{efn|Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}} ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Recipient(s) ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="14"| Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards
| rowspan="14"| 21 February 2021 | Best Film | {{sort|Chaitanya|D. Krishna Chaitanya}} | {{won}} |
| Best Director
| rowspan="3"| {{sort|Ashoka|K. S. Ashoka}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Screenplay
| {{nom}} |
| Best Dialogue
| {{won}} |
| Best Actor
| {{sort|Ambaar|Pruthvi Ambaar}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Actress
| {{sort|Kushee|Kushee Ravi}} | {{won}} |
| Best Supporting Actor
| {{sort|Shetty|Dheekshith Shetty}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Supporting Actress
| {{sort|Pavithra|Pavithra Lokesh}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Music Director
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|Loknath|B. Ajaneesh Loknath}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Background Music{{efn|also for Gentleman.}}
| {{won}} |
| Best Lyricists
| {{sort|Ranjan|Dhananjay Ranjan}} – (for "Soul of Dia") | {{nom}} |
| Best Female Singer
| {{sort|Chinmayi|Chinmayi}} – (for "Soul of Dia") | {{won}} |
| Best VFX
| | {{nom}} |
| Best Editing
| {{sort|Naveen|Naveen Raj}} | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="10"| South Indian International Movie Awards
| rowspan="10"| 19 September 2021 | Sri Swarnalatha Productions | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="10"| {{Cite web |url=https://siima.in/2020-nominations.php |title=The 9th South Indian International Movie Awards Nominations for 2020 |website=South Indian International Movie Awards |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=24 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824115648/https://siima.in/2020-nominations.php |url-status=dead }} |
| Best Director – Kannada
| {{sort|Ashoka|K. S. Ashoka}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Actress – Kannada
| {{sort|Kushee|Kushee Ravi}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Supporting Actor – Kannada
| {{sort|Shetty|Dheekshith Shetty}} | {{nom}} |
| Best Male Debut – Kannada
| {{sort|Ambaar|Pruthvi Ambaar}} | {{won}} |
| Best Music Director – Kannada
| {{sort|Loknath|B. Ajaneesh Loknath}} | {{won}} |
| Best Lyricist – Kannada
| {{sort|Ranjan|Dhananjay Ranjan}} – (for "Soul of Dia") | {{won}} |
| Best Female Playback Singer – Kannada
| {{sort|Chinmayi|Chinmayi}} – (for "Soul of Dia") | {{nom}} |
| Best Cinematographer – Kannada
| {{sort|Vittal|Vishal Vittal}}, {{sort|Waghmare|Sourabh Waghmare}} | {{won}} |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics Choice) – Kannada
| {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=3|Filmfare Awards South
|rowspan=3|9 October 2022 |D Krishna Chaitanya |{{nom}} |rowspan=3|{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2022/kannada/nominations|title=67th Parle Filmfare Awards South 2022 with Kamar Film Factory|website=Filmfare|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009174209/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2022/kannada/winners|url-status=live}} |
| Best Actress
|{{nom}} |
| Best Female Playback Singer
|Chinmayi Sripaada for "Soul of Dia" |{{nom}} |
Rerelease and remakes
After Dia
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt11235142}}
Category:Films set in Karnataka
Category:2020s Kannada-language films
Category:Films shot in Karnataka
Category:2020 romantic drama films
Category:Indian romantic drama films
Category:Kannada films remade in other languages
Category:Marathi remakes of Kannada films