Nagaraj Somayaji, who impressed audiences with his directorial debut Maryade Prashane (2024), is now gearing up for his sophomore outing, a comedy thriller titled Devi Mahathme. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Kundapura, the film hints at a unique regional flavour, blending humour with a slice-of-life sensibility. The project, produced by Vidya Gandhirajan, has been officially announced around the festive celebration of Deepavali.
Addressing potential misconceptions about the title, Nagaraj clarifies, “Despite the name, this is not a female-centric film. The story uses the famous Yakshagana performance Devi Mahathme as a backdrop, but it is not devotional in nature. It is about ordinary people, their quirks, struggles, and humourous moments. Many incidents in the film are inspired by real-life stories I have witnessed in and around Kundapura. I wanted to capture these everyday moments with a light-hearted, comedic lens.”
He adds, “The title hints at the essence of the film, but audiences will understand the full story once they watch it. The subject is original, with no references to other films, yet the title is catchy and curiosity-inducing.”
While the cast is still being finalised, Nagaraj Somayaji has assembled a good technical team. Arvind Kuplikar is on board as the writer, SK Rao handles cinematography, and Prasad K Shetty will compose the music. “I wanted technicians who could bring authenticity and a fresh visual style. Each of them has a deep sense of storytelling that complements the comedic thriller tone,” Nagaraj says. The team, currently in preparation, plans to go on floors soon.
