Kothalavadi

Kothalavadi
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sriraj
Written by	Sriraj
Produced by	Pushpa Arunkumar
Starring	Pruthvi Ambaar Kavya Shaiva
Edited by	Ramisetty Pavan
Music by	Songs: Vikas Vasishta Abhinandan Kashyap Score: Abhinandan Kashyap
Production company	KRG Studios
Release date	1 August 2025 (2025-08-01)
Country	India
Language	Kannada

Kothalavadi is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language action drama film written and directed by Sriraj. The film stars Pruthvi Ambaar and Kavya Shaiva. The film was released on 1 August 2025 to mixed reviews. The film faced multiple controversies after its release and became a topic among media.

Cast

• Pruthvi Ambaar as Mohana
• Gopal Krishna Deshpande as Ramesh Babu aka Gujari Babu
• Rajesh Nataranga as Superintendent of Police Parashuram
• Avinash as Commissioner Ananta Padmanabha
• Bala Rajwadi as the police inspector
• Kavya Shaiva as Manji
• Mansi Sudhir as Malini Thamanna
• Raghu Ramanakoppa
• Chethan Gandarva as Lagori Babu

Soundtrack

All music is composed by Vikas Vasishta, except where noted.

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Mungaru Maleyemba"	Pramod Maravanthe		Nishan Rai, Sunidhi Ganesh	2:45
2.	"Kothalavadi Title Track"	Kinnal Raj	Abhinandan Kashyap	Vyasraj Sosale	2:38
3.	"Raja Neenu Rani Naanu"	Ghous Peer		Nishan Rai, Surabhi Bharadwaj	3:14
4.	"Hane Baraha"	Kinnal Raj		Siddarth Belmannu	2:40

Reception

A critic from Bangalore Mirror rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "on the whole, the movie is worth a watch". ^[1] Susmita Sameera of The Times of India gave the film the same rating and wrote, "With powerful performances and technically grand execution, it impresses on several fronts. However, the lack of a compelling story and finesse in the screenplay holds it back from making a deeper impact". ^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Controversies

Kothalavadi faced multiple controversies after its release in 2025. These disputes involved allegations of non-payment, legal complaints, and financial fraud, drawing significant attention from the Kannada film industry and media.

Non-Payment Allegations

Several supporting actors, including Mahesh Guru and Swarnalatha, accused the production team of failing to pay their agreed remuneration. Mahesh Guru claimed he worked for three months, completed dubbing, and participated in promotions without receiving any payment. Swarnalatha alleged she was promised ₹48,000 but received only ₹35,000 after repeated follow-ups. These revelations sparked debates about transparency and fair treatment of supporting artists in the industry. ^[7]

Viral Video and Industry Backlash

Mahesh Guru’s video detailing his ordeal went viral on social media, amplifying the controversy. He accused the production team of ignoring calls and excluding him from promotional events. The video highlighted systemic issues regarding accountability and respect for theatre artists transitioning to cinema.

Legal Complaints and Defamation

In response to the allegations, director Sriraj filed a defamation complaint against Swarnalatha, claiming her statements damaged his reputation and that of the production house. A non-cognizable report (NCR) was registered at Talaghattapura Police Station, indicating the dispute could escalate into a legal battle.

Fraud Allegations Against Promoter

In Mid-November 2025, producer Pushpa Arun Kumar lodged a police complaint against promoter Harish Arasu, accusing him of cheating her out of approximately ₹65 lakh allocated for film promotions. ^[8] She alleged that despite receiving substantial funds, Harish failed to deliver promised publicity, forcing actor Yash to personally fund trailer promotions. The FIR includes charges of cheating, criminal intimidation, and defamation

References

1. "Movie Kothalavadi (Kannada) Review: Tale of hapless villagers vs. sand mafia". Bangalore Mirror.
2. "Kothalavadi Movie Review: Well-Meant, Well-Made, Though Not Flawless". The Times of India. 1 August 2025.
3. M.V, Vivek (3 August 2025). "'Kothalavadi' movie review: A bland village drama with a superb Gopalkrishna Deshpande". The Hindu.
4. Sharadhaa, A. (1 August 2025). "Kothalavadi Movie Review: A rural fable burdened by its subplots". Cinema Express.
5. Ponnappa, Sanjay (1 August 2025). "Kothalavadi review: Old-school screenplay weighs down an interesting village drama". India Today.
6. "Kannada Film Verdict: Kothalavadi Lacks Focus Despite Masala Mix". Deccan Herald. 2 August 2025.
7. "Kothalavadi faces pay dispute, with supporting actor claims unpaid dues after release". The New Indian Express. 17 September 2025.
8. "Actor Yash's mother alleges Rs 65 lakh fraud by film promoter, files complaint". India Today. 19 November 2025.

External links

• Kothalavadi at IMDb