Suman Kumar’s Directorial Debut ‘Raghu Thatha’ Tackles Impositions

Director Suman Kumar’s debut film Raghu Thatha, starring National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh, is set to explore themes of societal impositions through a comedic lens. The film, produced by Hombale Films, is scheduled for release on August 15.

At the audio launch event, Kumar revealed the film’s origins. “This idea came from a friend’s anecdote about his grandfather teasing his father for learning Hindi despite protesting against its imposition,” he explained. The director emphasized that the film isn’t about opposing Hindi specifically, but rather about resisting the imposition of languages and certain expectations on women.

Keerthy Suresh, who plays the protagonist, spoke about her initial hesitation to take on the role. “When Suman narrated the script, I liked the story, the subject, and his approach. However, I also pointed out some inhibitions I had about whether I could pull off such a role,” she said. Suresh added that the film addresses various forms of impositions, particularly those faced by women, but assured that the message is delivered without being preachy.

Keerthy Suresh

Suman Kumar

Sean Rodan

Music director Sean Roldan compared the film’s tone to that of K. Bhagyaraj’s works, known for addressing political points through light-hearted comedy. “This is a film about impositions. I am someone who personally believes that nobody should impose anything on anybody,” Roldan stated. He revealed that the film features five songs spanning different genres, including rock and gaana music.

The film’s technical team includes cinematographer Yamini Yagnamurthy, whom Suresh praised for bringing “a different colour and tone” to the project. The actress also highlighted the significant presence of women in the crew, describing it as “empowering.”

Raghu Thatha features an ensemble cast including M.S. Bhaskar, Ravindra Vijay, and Devadarshini in pivotal roles. The film aims to present its message about societal impositions through a blend of comedy and drama.