BOTTOM LINE
Docu-Style Comedy With Heart
PLATFORM
ETV WIN
RUNTIME
2 HOURS
What Is the Film About?
A 70-year-old villager Muthayya clings to his dream of becoming a film actor, despite age, poverty, and family resistance. With only an acre of land and no stable income, he spends his time watching movies, doing odd jobs, and chatting with his young friend Malli, a local mechanic. Despite personal losses and a dismissive son, Muthayya holds fast to his desire of appearing on the big screen.
Performances
Sudhakar Reddy delivers a moving performance as Muthayya. His portrayal is so effortless and grounded that the character feels fully lived-in. From hopeful enthusiasm to moments of quiet disillusionment, Reddy’s range is subtle yet impactful.
Also Read – Gram Chikitsalay Review: A Panchayat Rehash in a New Backdrop
Arun Kumar, as Malli, is a perfect counterpart – casual, lively, and gradually evolving into someone who sees value in Muthayya’s dream. Their chemistry is the heart of the film. The supporting cast, including Purna Chander, Mounika, and T Sai Leela, lend authenticity without ever seeming staged.
Also Read – Maranamass Review: Timepass Quirky Dark Comedy
Analysis
There’s an enduring charm in stories that arise from India’s hinterlands, often rooted in everyday life and told with sincerity. Muthayya is one such tale; deeply personal, quietly powerful, and brimming with heart. What makes this film stand out from other small-town dramas is its unique protagonist: a 70-year-old man chasing a lifelong dream of becoming an actor. His age, rather than being a limitation, is used as a lens to explore ambition, loneliness and companionship.
Also Read – Kull: The Legacy of Raisinghs Review – Part Pulpy, Part Clumsy Royal Saga
Sivarapalli fame Bhaskhar Maurya, in his first film, exhibits a striking sense of restraint and confidence. He chooses not to dramatise Muthayya’s struggles or turn him into a larger-than-life figure. Instead, the film unfolds gently, allowing the audience to soak in the rhythm of rural life; its silences, its routines, its joys, and its disappointments. The narrative doesn’t rely on plot twists or high-stakes conflicts but finds its strength in emotion, humour, and human connection.
A large part of the film’s emotional core lies in the unlikely friendship between Muthayya and Malli, a much younger mechanic who initially treats the older man’s aspirations with teasing indifference. Their banter, petty arguments, and eventual emotional interdependence give the film much of its flavour. Their companionship reflects two stages of life. One with dreams deferred, the other with dreams still forming and they complete each other in more ways than one.
The film also touches on the generational gap in the appreciation of cinema and art. Muthayya often reminisces about the past, lamenting how storytelling in cinema has changed, even as he remains committed to watching every new release. His unwavering love for films, despite the disappointments of life, becomes both his escape and his identity.
Muthayya’s strained relationship with his son adds another layer of depth to the story. The son, pragmatic and disillusioned, doesn’t understand his father’s refusal to sell the ancestral land or his obsession with acting. Their interactions, though brief, capture a universal conflict between practicality and passion, between those who chase survival and those who cling to dreams.
Visually and tonally, Muthayya stays rooted in realism. The film’s strength lies in its casual, almost documentary-like approach. It doesn’t try to impress with grand visuals or polished sequences. Instead, it quietly observes; lingering on expressions, pauses, or everyday settings.
The film’s drama gains momentum in the final act. The emotional payoff feels earned, not forced. The climax is bitter-sweet, slightly melancholic, and uplifting in a way that stays with you. By the end, Muthayya feels like a personal story and a tribute to cinema and human will. While it may remind you of films like Cinema Bandi and Seethakaathi mildly, it still makes for a decent viewing.
Music and Other Departments?
Karthik Rodriguez’s music brings a rustic, textured feel to the film. The songs and background score never overpower the scenes but enhance their emotional impact. Divakar Mani’s cinematography is restrained; the camera is committed to capturing life without exaggeration.
The fly-on-the-wall aesthetic suits the film’s tone perfectly. The production design and editing complement the mood and enriches the storytelling, giving space for emotion to breathe. Bhaskhar Maurya proves himself to be an assured filmmaker and shows no nerves in his debut.
Highlights?
Strong performances
Light-hearted, feel-good ambience
Effective music and cinematography
Drawbacks?
Gradual pacing
Some subplots (like Malli’s love story) are underdeveloped
Limited appeal given the low-stakes drama
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Certainly, a Breezy, Easy Watch
Muthayya OTT Movie Review by M9
