Heggana Muddu story: Ajitha (Poorna Mysore), an agent for a pyramid-scheme, marries a much younger Prerarna (Aditi), despite knowing her ‘history’, which her family believes is a big win for them. But is it really?
Heggana Muddu review: Director Avinash Balekala’s Heggana Muddu is a classic case of what could have been, but never was. The film had all the workings of a beautiful relationship drama, at least in the first half, but then it all came tumbling down once Avinash incorporated unnecessary complications, including a revenge plot involving cops, into the mix. Eventually, it also reinforces that the ideologies and actions of a man who is a total red flag are justified in the larger scheme of things for the good of the partner and the relationship itself. Sigh!
This turn of events is particularly disappointing because Avinash initially sets up a conversational relationship drama between two newly-married people – one claiming to be progressive and the other actually so. The dialogues between them are as normal as can be, with a liberal dose of humour thrown in ever so casually. It was the perfect set-up, but keeping it simple was, unfortunately, not on the filmmaker’s agenda.
Ajitha, as it turns out, is a master manipulator, with streaks of jealousy and pettiness. He ruins a well-to-do colleague’s sobriety, while an uncomfortable encounter with a couple of cops has him looking for an opportunity to settle scores. And when it presents, his description of the events to Prerana is “nayi kachtu” and not the more gruesome fallout. But what is most unpardonable about his actions is that he’d been pulling all the strings in Prerana’s life well before they got married.
What Prerana says during her confrontation with him is poignant, but the subsequent decision to forgive and forget and sweep it all under the rug is not. She’s in love, she says, well, love be damned if that’s the kind of man a woman is supposed to be okay with. Especially when he shows no remorse or inclination to make amends. This is where her character needed more agency.
The sad part about Heggana Muddu being afflicted by the curse of the second half is that despite these shortcomings in the writing, Poorna and Aditi continued to give their respective roles their best. I’d loved Poorna in the relationship drama series By Mistake and knew this one would be a cakewalk for him. Aditi deserves a special mention; she’s a talent to look out for.
Heggana Muddu verdict: A brilliant first half that’s followed by a bizarre second. Avinash Balekala’s film is held up by brilliant performances that deserved better writing.
