Poorvapara

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Poorvapara | image = Poorvapara.jpg | alt = | caption = DVD cover | native_name =  | director = Cudavalli Chandrashekar | writer = Jayant Kaikini (dialogue) | screenplay = Jayant Kaikini<br />Cudavalli Chandrashekar<br />K. S. Sridhar | story = | based_on = {{Based on|''Poorvapara''|M. K. Indira}} | producer = Cudavalli Chandrashekar | starring = {{plainlist|*Geetha *Naveen Mayur *Lakshmi Gopalaswamy }} | narrator = | cinematography = G. S. Bhasker | editing = Suresh Urs | music = Vijaya Bhaskar | studio = Rathi Enterprises | distributor =  | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2004|3|26}} | runtime = 140 minutes | country = India | language = Kannada | budget = | gross = }} '''''Poorvapara''''' ({{Translation|East and west/before and after}}) is a 2004 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Cudavalli Chandrashekar in his directorial debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/veteran-kannada-actor-chandrashekhar-passes-away-in-canada-aged-63-4322147.html|title=Veteran Kannada actor Chandrashekhar passes away in Canada aged 63|date=27 January 2018|work=Firstpost|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120004452/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/veteran-kannada-actor-chandrashekhar-passes-away-in-canada-aged-63-4322147.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film stars Geetha, Naveen Mayur and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy with Srinath and Chandrashekar in supporting roles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kannada-actor-chandrashekhar-passes-away-in-canada/article22533810.ece|title=Kannada actor Chandrashekhar passes away in Canada|date=27 January 2018|first=K. V. Aditya|last=Bharadwaj|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127072219/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kannada-actor-chandrashekhar-passes-away-in-canada/article22533810.ece|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The film is based on M. K. Indira's novel of the same name and is about the conflict that NRIs face about the separation from their loved ones.<ref name="T">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/an-nri-story-on-screen/articleshow/414860.cms|title=An NRI story on screen|first=Geetha|last=Rao|date=9 January 2004|work=The Times of India}}</ref> The film follows a sixty-year old mother from Sringeri who goes to the United States with the intention of bringing her son and daughter-in-law back to India.<ref name="T2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/chandrashekar-returns-with-a-movie-of-his-own/articleshow/572357390.cms|title=Chandrashekar returns with a movie of his own|date=22 November 2001|last=Kashi|first=Anita Rao|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="T"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/yesteryear-kannada-actor-chandrashekar-passes-away-2628607.html|title=Yesteryear Kannada actor Chandrashekhar passes away in Canada|date=27 January 2018|author=Chennabasaveshwar|work=Oneindia|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230130605/https://www.oneindia.com/india/yesteryear-kannada-actor-chandrashekar-passes-away-2628607.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was the first Kannada film to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280118/edakallu-chandrashekar-dies-in-canada.html|title=Edakallu' Chandrashekar dies in Canada|date=27 January 2018|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131002442/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280118/edakallu-chandrashekar-dies-in-canada.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Plot == Sharada, living in Sringeri, repeatedly receives letters from her son Sundar, who is settled in the United States, requesting her to visit him and his family. Though she initially refuses to leave, her relatives eventually persuade her to travel abroad. Reluctantly, Sharada undertakes the journey and arrives in the United States, where she is warmly welcomed by Sundar, his wife Vineetha, and their young daughter Chitti, whom she is meeting for the first time. Sundar and Vineetha make efforts to help her adjust to the unfamiliar environment and introduce her to Narendra, Sundar's close friend who has become like an elder brother to him.

As Sundar and Vineetha remain occupied with their professional lives and Chitti spends her days at school, Narendra gradually becomes Sharada's companion. He accompanies her to hospitals when she falls ill, takes her out for lunch, and helps her understand the lifestyle around her. Through these interactions, the two develop an emotional bond rooted in their shared connection to Sringeri and their sense of loneliness despite being surrounded by people. Narendra tells Sharada that he had moved to the United States with his parents as a child, but after their divorce and remarriages, he grew up feeling neglected and emotionally distant from both families. He later became close friends with Sundar during their time at university because of their shared roots in Sringeri. Sharada shares how her late husband had encouraged Sundar to pursue higher studies in the US. She also reveals that when her husband died of a heart attack, she informed Sundar only two months later, following her husband's wish not to disturb him when he had just become a father.

Despite being treated affectionately by her son's family, Sharada finds herself unable to overcome her longing for Sringeri and the life she left behind. She repeatedly urges Sundar to return to India along with Vineetha and Chitti, reminding him of their ancestral property and responsibilities as the family's only son. Sundar admits that he too misses his hometown and its people, but explains that his career, financial stability, and his daughter's education make it impossible for him to leave the US. Realising that her son cannot return with her, Sharada prepares to go back alone. Sundar is emotionally distressed by the decision and bids his mother a tearful farewell. Narendra, who has also grown disillusioned with his life in the US, decides to accompany Sharada back to Sringeri and settle there permanently.

== Cast == {{cast listing| * Geetha as Sharada * Srinath as Sharada's husband * Naveen Mayur as Sundar * Lakshmi Gopalaswamy as Vineetha * Cudavalli Chandrashekar as Narendra * Rasiya Robinson as Chitrangada "Chitti" * Kitti * Venkata Rao as Shyama Rao, Sharada's father * Shanthamma as Sharada's aunt * Padmavathi * K. S. Kandoji Rao * Sringeri Subbanna * Vidhya * Vishakh S. * Radha Ramachandra as Savitri, Sharada's mother * Sheela Chandrashekar * Anil Kumble (guest appearance)<ref name="I"/> }}

== Production == The film began production in late 2001 and marked Denver-based actor and telefilm director Cudavalli Chandrashekar's first directorial feature film venture.<ref name="T2"/> Geetha was cast as the mother in the film while Naveen Mayur, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Srinath played her son, daughter-in-law and husband respectively.<ref name="C">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chitraloka.com/component/tags/tag/4592-poorvapara.html|title=Americadalli Chandru – Exclusive Chat Interview|work=Chitraloka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722191718/https://www.chitraloka.com/component/tags/tag/4592-poorvapara.html |archive-date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="T"/> Lakshmi Gopalaswamy debuted in Kannada cinema with this film. According to her, she plays "a girl who is traditionally brought up, finds her identity, re-discovers herself and tests new waters".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/straight-answers/articleshow/511984.cms|title=Straight answers|first=Roopa|last=Radhakrishnan|work=The Times of India|date=22 February 2004}}</ref> The shooting for the film began in the second week of February 2002 after the cast and crew got visas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/naveen-mayur-a-model-actor/articleshow/1053356652.cms|title=Naveen Mayur: A model actor|date=22 December 2001|work=The Times of India|first=G. S.|last=Kumar|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407150847/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Naveen-Mayur-A-model-actor/articleshow/1053356652.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="C"/> The film was shot for about fifteen days in Sringeri, Malenadu during Navaratri and for about fifteen to twenty days in Canada (where Chandrashekhar used to live) and the United States.<ref name="C"/><ref name="T"/> Visuals of the snowfall in Denver were included in the film.<ref name="C"/>

== Soundtrack == The music is composed by Vijaya Bhaskar. The lyrics are by Jayanth Kaikini, Sandhya Ravindranath and Vijaya Narasimha. The songs were sung by Rajesh Krishnan, Archana Udupa, Pallavi, Badriprasad and Sri Lakshmi.<ref name="C"/> Three songs were shot in the United States.<ref name="C"/>

== Reception == A critic from ''Chitraloka.com'' wrote that "Kudhavalli Chandrasekhar deserves full compliments for the adaptation of the novel on the screen. He has put in a great effort and this film is worth watching. There are no shortfalls. While ''America America'' film gives a travelogue feeling ''Poorvapara'' gives an account of America’s social life".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chitraloka.com/movie-reviews/2825-poorvapara-review.html|title=POORVAPARA MOVIE REVIEW|date=26 March 2004|work=Chitraloka.com|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504110359/https://www.chitraloka.com/movie-reviews/2825-poorvapara-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A critic from ''Viggy'' wrote that "Poorvapara is a must see film for A.B.C.D.s and people who have Dollar dreams!"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.viggy.com/english/review_poorvapara.asp|title=Poorvapara film review|work=Viggy|date=2004|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-date=2022-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808021536/http://viggy.com/english/review_poorvapara.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> A critic from ''indiainfo.com'' wrote that "''PURVAPARA'' speaks a lot through silence. Lot of things is untold in this film. This is not an anti-American film. American culture has not come in between the mother son relation, it is the son's expectations that comes in-between" and concluded that "Overall a good film".<ref name="I">{{Cite web|url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/reviews/purvapara.html|title=Purvapara|date=1 April 2004|website=indiainfo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040807085255/http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/reviews/purvapara.html|archive-date=7 August 2004|access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref> S. Viswanath of ''Deccan Herald'' wrote "Poorvaparva, a sure award-winner, draws excellent performances by the lead players. Here then is a film that is a must-see for the family. Kudos to Chandrashekar for a brave and brilliant effort".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar282004/mr3.asp|first=S.|last=Viswanath|website=Deccan Herald|title=Poorvapara|access-date=19 March 2025|date=28 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030043141/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar282004/mr3.asp|archive-date=30 October 2004}}</ref>

== See also == * Indian diaspora * Indian Americans

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title}}

Category:2004 films Category:2004 Kannada-language films Category:Films shot in Karnataka Category:Films shot in Ontario Category:Films shot in Denver Category:Indian drama films Category:2004 directorial debut films Category:2004 drama films