Palasa 1978

The film starts with a man coming and beating another man, asking where is he? He tells that the man is in the Durga Mata festival. He goes and beheaded the man. Everyone is in shock. Then the police come immediately and try to catch the man. Then finally, one of the police officers catches up to him and asks why did he kill the man. The man tells his own story which exposes the caste discrimination in society.

{{colbegin}}

• Rakshith as Mohan Rao
• Nakshatra Trinayani as Lacchimi{{Cite web|url=https://telugu.news18.com/photogallery/palasa-1978-movie-fame-heroine-nakshatra-latest-photo-shoot/|title=News18 Telugu Photo Gallery: News in Telugu Photo Gallery, News18 తెలుగు ఫోటోలు}}
• Raghu Kunche as Chinna Dora Guru Murthy ("Chinna Shavukar")
• Prawin Yendamuri as Tarakesh
• Janardhan as Pedda Dora Linga Murthy
• Vijay Ram as Sebastian
• Thiruveer as Rangarao
• Laxman Meesala as Dandaasi
• Kancharapalem Raju as Satya Narayana
• Jagadeesh Prathap Bandhari as Muthyalu
• Mirchi Madhavi as Sri Laxmi
• Thanmai Bolt as Gajula Gowri
• Shanmuk as Ganapavasu
• Sherin Santhosh as Jaggamma

{{Colend}}

Karuna Kumar debuted as a director with the film. He admitted that the film is based on the incidents happened in his own hometown.{{Cite web|last=Codingest|title='Palasa 1978', a true story|url=http://www.ntvtelugu.com/post/palasa1978-a-true-story-|access-date=2021-01-10|website=NTV Telugu|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Palasa 1978 review: An honest effort|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/palasa-1978-review-an-honest-effort-review-telugu-udgk5Pcghdhee.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307030320/https://www.sify.com/movies/palasa-1978-review-an-honest-effort-review-telugu-udgk5Pcghdhee.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2020|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Sify|language=en}}

{{Blockquote|text= 

As a maker of short-films, I used to work with a small crew. But when it comes to a feature film, there would be 80-100 people on set at any given time. Many wouldn't even be aware of who is the film's director. I have learned how to manage people on set. It's important, like directorial skills.|author=Karuna Kumar|title=|source=LetsOtt{{Cite web|url=https://www.letsott.com/karuna-kumar-interview-a-voice-of-the-voiceless|title = Karuna Kumar Interview: A voice of the voiceless}}}}

Most of the actors in the film are debutants who previously worked in a few short films and web-series. Rakshith, who was last seen in London Babulu (2017), was signed to play the lead role after he consulted short film director Karuna Kumar. Rakshit's family friend, Tammareddy Bharadwaja, distributed the film. Rakshith learned the Palasa dialect of Telugu for the film.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/interview-rakshit-atluri-palasa-1978/article29430219.ece|title='Palasa 1978' doesn't advocate violence, says actor Rakshit Atluri|first=Y. Sunita|last=Chowdhary|date=16 September 2019|work=The Hindu}} Thiruveer, who played the antagonist in George Reddy (2019), was signed to portray an antagonistic role.

Raghu Kunche composed the music who also played the character Guru Murthy in the film. He got wide recognition for both music composition and his acting.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title='Nakkileesu Golusu' becomes a rage and how! - Telugu News|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/nakkileesu-golusu-becomes-a-rage-and-how-telugu-news-270911|access-date=2021-01-08|website=IndiaGlitz.com}} Arul Vincent in his Tollywood debut, handled the cinematography of the film. Award-winning editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao who worked for popular franchise Baahubali and film like Eega, Yamadonga, Magadheera, handled the editing production.{{Cite web|title=Palasa 1978 Movie Review And Rating - Jsnewstimes|date=21 October 2020 |url=https://jsnewstimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-review-tamil/palasa-1978-movie-review-and-rating/|access-date=2021-01-10|language=en-US}}

Principal shoot of the film began in late 2019.{{Cite web|last=seelatest.com|title=Palasa 1978 Movie Review: Rakshith's Telugu film is all about to action crime - See Latest|url=https://www.seelatest.com/telugu/palasa-1978-movie-review|access-date=2021-01-10|website=www.seelatest.com|language=en}} Majority of the film was shot at Palasa, Srikakulam and surrounding areas.{{Cite web|title=Karuna Kumar: Palasa 1978 is inspired by true events|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2020/mar/02/karuna-kumar-palasa-1978-is-inspired-by-true-events-17311.html|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Cinema Express|date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}

The films tells primarily about the caste discrimination in India and untouchability in the 1970s period. Yogesh Maitreya of Firstpost wrote that "Historically, Indian cinema exploited the labour of Dalits in its making, whilst erasing or appropriating their stories. This was not an accidental practice. When their stories were told on screen, it would be by savarnas who also played their characters with patriarchal, sexist and casteist undertones. The scenario has slowly changed, and the identity of Dalit characters in cinema — directed by a Dalit (and a few non-Dalit) filmmakers — has become explicit, transcending boundaries of caste and class. These filmmakers have helped shape visual storytelling that combines “justice with aesthetics”. “Justice with aesthetics” was rarely present in cinema made by savarnas, or it was seldom honest. Dalit-Bahujan filmmakers have filled this gap, while creating a new wave of cinema that is more appealing to a Dalit-Bahujan audience. In this film, we examine 10 Indian films that count not only among the finest cinema the country has produced, but are also intertwined with justice, politics, and aesthetic."{{Cite web|date=2020-09-22|title=Indian cinema and the Dalit identity: Karuna Kumar's Palasa 1978 is a sublime song of resistance |url=https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/indian-cinema-and-the-dalit-identity-karuna-kumars-palasa-1978-is-a-sublime-song-of-resistance-8826441.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Firstpost}}

Another reviewer from The News Minute, Charan Teja, stated, "Telugu films are usually in the news for the buzz generated by their cast, crew and massive pre-release events. However, once in a while, films like Palasa 1978 garner attention due to their content and understanding of social history. The film, directed by Karuna Kumar, begins with bloodshed. After the title song, we hear the drum beats of a jatara (carnival), and the protagonist Mohan Rao (Rakshit), a Dalit man, beheads Ganapavasu, another Dalit man. The latter is a henchman of the Shavukarus, dominant caste Hindu landlords. While films on caste oppression have usually depicted Dalits as a homogeneous oppressed community, Palasa is a much more nuanced and historically authentic depiction of the violence that’s meted out in the name of caste."{{Cite web|date=2020-03-11|title=Why 'Palasa 1978' is an important Telugu film documenting Dalit resistance|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-palasa-1978-important-telugu-film-documenting-dalit-resistance-119946|access-date=2021-01-08|website=The News Minute|language=en}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Palasa 1978

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Raghu Kunche

| cover =

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|3|2}} (Jukebox)

| recorded = 2019–2020

| studio = My Studio, Hyderabad

| genre = Feature film soundtrack, Romance

| length = {{Duration|m=21|s=16}}

| language = Telugu

| label = Aditya Music

| producer = Raghu Kunche

| prev_title = Raagala 24 Gantallo

| prev_year = 2019

| year = 2020

| next_title =

| next_year =

| chronology =

| misc = {{External media

| audio1 = {{YouTube|UkuUxgoBI5o|Audio Jukebox}}}}

{{Singles

| name = Palasa 1978

| type = soundtrack

| single1 = Bavochhadu

| single1date = 23 February 2020

| single2 = Nakkileesu Golusu

| single2date = 21 March 2020

}}

}}

The music is composed by Raghu Kunche.

{{track listing

| headline = Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 21:16

| title1 = Nakkileesu Golusu

| lyrics1 = Uttarandhra Janapadam

| extra1 = Raghu Kunche

| length1 = 3:56

| title2 = Baavochhadu

| lyrics2 = Uttarandhra Janapadam

| extra2 = Aditi Bhavaraju

| length2 = 3:15

| title3 = Ye Ooru Ye Oore

| lyrics3 = Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar

| extra3 = Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Raju Jamuku Asirayya

| length3 = 3:10

| title4 = O Sogasari

| lyrics4 = Lakshmi Bhupala

| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Baby Pasala

| length4 = 5:14

| title5 = Kalavathi Kalavathi

| lyrics5 = Suddala Ashok Teja

| length5 = 4:25

| extra5 = Ramya Behara, Raghu Kunche

| title6 = Chinthachettukinda

| lyrics6 = Karuna Kumar

| length6 = 1:16

| extra6 = Sandhya Koyyada

| all_writing =

| title7 =

| length7 =

| title8 =

| length8 =

| title9 =

| length9 =

| title10 =

| length10 =

}}Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India on reviewing the music, wrote that "The album of Palasa 1978 is easily one of the best albums of the year. Raghu Kunche truly does an outstanding job of staying true to the time, era and story that the film aims to explore. However, this album is not for anyone looking for the same ol’ Tollywood fare but it's definitely for you if you're looking to expand your horizons. You won't regret listening to it even if this kind of music may not be your first choice."{{Cite news|title=Music Review: Palasa 1978 - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/music/music-review-palasa-1978/articleshow/74514305.cms|access-date=2021-01-08|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Nyayapati |first1=Neeshita }} Another reviewer from IndiaGlitz stated "A largely middling album with three worthy songs.  The genres of the songs are in tune with the backdrop of the movie."{{Cite web|title=Palasa 1978 Music review songs lyrics|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/palasa-1978-songs-review-telugu-movie-22830|access-date=2021-01-08|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}

The Times of India gave the film four out of five stars and wrote that "Highlighting the casteist nature of the state and mainstream politics, Palasa has a reference to many atrocities committed on Dalits across the country".{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/palasa-1978/movie-review/74505006.cms|title=Palasa 1978 Movie Review: Not your run-of-the-mill crime drama|work=The Times of India}} In a review of the film by The Hindu, the reviewer wrote that "Director Karuna Kumar's film is a gritty story of folk artistes picking up guns for survival".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/director-karuna-kumar-weaves-a-gritty-story-in-palasa-1978/article30999802.ece|title='Palasa 1978' movie review: The strong script makes it a compelling watch|first=Y. Sunita|last=Chowdhary|date=March 6, 2020|work=The Hindu}} A review in Sakshi appreciated director Karuna Kumar's attempt in picking up a sensitive subject like caste and opined that he succeeded in making the film appealing to all types of audiences.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-06|title='పలాస 1978' మూవీ రివ్యూ|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/movies/palasa-1978-telugu-movie-review-and-rating-1268438|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Sakshi|language=te}}

Sankeertan Varma of Film Companion stated, "At a crucial and effecting moment in the film, Sebastian invokes Ambedkar as an example to suggest that violence isn’t the only way to deal with an unfair society. Elsewhere, we see Mohan Rao reading Kalyan’s Rao’s Antarani Vasantamwhile trying to understand his life and its purpose. This is a film that isn’t interested in being anything but informed and responsible. Telugu cinema, even it has been talking about caste oppression in the recent past, has largely been averse to stories that are explicitly political. So, to see a film that talks about caste-based oppression and its many complexities organically, without hiding behind happy endings and generic philosophies is refreshing to watch, warts and all."{{Cite web|last=Varma|first=Sankeertana|date=2020-03-06|title=Palasa 1978 Movie Review: Karuna Kumar's Film Has Everything Needed To Be Great, But Is Not|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/palasa-1978-movie-review-karuna-kumars-film-has-everything-needed-to-be-great-but-is-not/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Film Companion|language=en-US}}

Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote that "Palasa 1978 is a realistic film that deals with the caste divide in the 80's in the backward region of Uttarandhra. The debutant director Karuna Kumar has tried to narrate it with utmost genuinity by adding some commercial touch. Plus points are realistic backdrop, characterizations, dialogues, dialect and the subject. On the flipside, the screenplay of the film is not good. Narration should have been more interesting towards the latter part of the film. Despite a few shortcomings, Palasa 1978 stands out as a genuine attempt by the director Karuna Kumar."{{Cite web|title=Palasa 1978 review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - Rakshith, Nakshatra|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/palasa.html|access-date=2021-01-10|website=www.idlebrain.com}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|10682062}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|palasa_1978|Palasa 1978}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Palasa_1978}}

Category:Indian historical action films

Category:2020 films

Category:2020s Telugu-language films

Category:Films set in Andhra Pradesh

Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh

Category:Films about social issues in India

Category:Films about social class

Category:Films about social issues

Category:2020s historical action films

Category:Films scored by Raghu Kunche

Category:Films set in 1978

Category:Indian action thriller films

Category:2020 action thriller films

Category:Films directed by Karuna Kumar

Category:Films about the caste system in India

Category:Fictional portrayals of the Andhra Pradesh Police

Category:Films about murder

Category:Indian crime thriller films

Category:Durga Puja in popular culture