Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (2025) English Subtitle - A Child’s Rebellion for Chicken Curry

Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (2024) English Subtitle - A Child’s Rebellion for Chicken Curry

Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (2025) English Subtitle - A Delectable Tale of Childhood, Chicken, and Choice

Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (translated as Sunday Special) is a delightfully original Kannada-language comedy-drama, written, directed, and produced by Abhilash Shetty. With a runtime of 91 minutes, this film transforms an 11-year-old girl’s obsession with chicken curry into a heartfelt and humorous exploration of innocence, freedom, and tradition.

Set in a small town, the film revolves around Sneha (played by Samrudhi Kundapura), a feisty and food-loving schoolgirl whose Sunday routine is abruptly disrupted when Gandhi Jayanti, a day of nationwide meat prohibition, falls on the same day. Instead of giving up her dream meal, Sneha embarks on a rebellious and comical quest to secure a plate of forbidden koli curry (chicken curry).

Director Abhilash Shetty’s sophomore effort shines with a perfect blend of nostalgia, food metaphors, and socio-political undertones. The screenplay, praised for its brisk pace and emotional resonance, weaves a light-hearted narrative that hides deeper reflections on freedom of choice, tradition vs. modernity, and the quirky contradictions of Indian society.

The cast delivers charming performances, especially Samrudhi Kundapura who carries the film with infectious energy. Radha Ramachandra and Prabhakar Kunder bring warmth and humor, while Sanidhya Acharya plays Sneha’s friend Sophia with flair. Cinematography by Swaroop Yashwanth captures the rural textures beautifully, and the soundtrack by M.R. Prahast adds local flavor to Sneha’s whimsical journey.

Premiering at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival and set to make its New York Indian Film Festival debut in June 2025, the film has already impressed critics. The Hindu, Deccan Herald, and OTTplay praised it for its originality and heartfelt humor. With an IMDb score of 8.5/10, it stands as one of 2025’s most unexpectedly delightful regional films.

In short, Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa is much more than a child’s food fantasy—it’s a subtly layered comedy with social bite. It’s fun, thoughtful, and might just make you crave chicken curry by the end.

-- Naale Rajaa Koli Majaa (2025) English Subtitle --