The much-anticipated Kannada short film Abhimukha, written and directed by 18-year-old Mahan J Poojary, premiered today to an enthusiastic response from audiences in Mangaluru. Screened at Bharath Cinemas in Mangaluru, the 40 minute short film has already begun to generate strong word of mouth, particularly for its engaging narrative and youthful energy.
Abhimukha stands out not just for its crisp storytelling but also for the confidence with which a young filmmaker has handled the medium. Despite its relatively short runtime, the film manages to deliver a complete cinematic experience, blending fast paced sequences with moments rooted in culture and emotion. The effort reflects a growing wave of young talent from coastal Karnataka stepping into filmmaking with fresh ideas and a strong sense of identity.
Among the early viewers was Chaitra, a college student, who could not hide her excitement after watching the film. She shared, “The film is done wonderfully. I was very happy with the way the output has come. Even though it’s around 40 minutes, it doesn’t feel like that at all. I actually wished I could watch more. It’s really exciting and very fast paced. Watching the action scenes felt great. It’s also wonderful to see youngsters doing something so creative in Mangaluru. Our city has always been known for creative people. Even today, if you look at the Kannada and Hindi film industries, there are many actors and directors from Mangaluru representing us. It feels great to know we have such talent in the creative field. I wish Mahan all the very best.”
Echoing a different yet equally appreciative perspective, 54-year-old businessman Vasant Kamath praised the film for its cultural depth. “I was really impressed with the short film. It beautifully reflects our Tulunadu culture. Nowadays, we often see youngsters not being very interested in our traditions and instead focusing on other cultures. For example, I have a niece who only watches Korean films. I am not against any culture, but it feels especially meaningful when today’s generation makes an effort to showcase our own roots. It’s important to stay connected to our culture, and our films should be content oriented. I believe Abhimukha has achieved that,” he said.
Abhimukha is written and directed by Mahan Poojary, who also takes on an acting role in the film. The technical team behind the project reflects a strong collaborative effort by young talents, with cinematography handled by Shravan and Franston, editing by Samrudh and Pratham, and music composed by Harsha Bhat. The film’s visual design is shaped by art director Ashwin Shetty, while VFX has been executed by Rajesh. Rohan Bangera has contributed as the associate director, adding to the film’s creative direction. The musical experience is further enriched with contributions from Sanchith Bangera, while vocals have been rendered by Himangi Ullal, Rohan Bangera, and Kushi Anchan.
With such encouraging feedback from viewers across age groups, Abhimukha appears to have struck a chord by balancing entertainment with cultural storytelling. Mahan J Poojary’s debut effort signals promise, not only for his own journey but also for the future of independent filmmaking emerging from the region.
