‘Kapata Nataka Sutradhari’: A Bold Satirical Drama on Faith, Identity, and a Man Trapped Under an Idol

Kapata Nataka Sutradhari, the debut film by actor-director Dhiraj MV, takes on a provocative and satirical premise set in a historical Hindu temple renowned for its miracle legend. At the heart of the story is a temple ritual believed to grant wishes if a devotee prays sincerely and crawls under a stone idol of an elephant. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when a well-fed devotee gets stuck under the idol and refuses to budge, despite numerous efforts. The twist? The man is revealed to be a Muslim named Mohammed Ismail.

This revelation sends shockwaves across the community, prompting heated debates: should the sacred idol be preserved, or does Ismail’s life take precedence? The film dives into this conflict, using it as a lens to explore themes of faith, identity, communal tension, and media sensationalism. Initially slated for a June 19 release, the film's premiere was pushed to July 4, 2025, due to censor board delays and final post-production touches.

Written by Dhiraj himself, the film also stars Abhirama Arjuna, Murali Shankar Shastry, Varun Gururaj, Uday Achar, and others. Interestingly, Dhiraj took on the lead role when he couldn't find an actor willing to undergo the physical transformation required—gaining over 45kg for authenticity, rejecting the idea of using a body suit.

Shot in a single 55-day schedule at an actual temple, the elephant idol shown in the film is a real part of the location. Dhiraj notes that the role's demands—both physical and thematic—were too unconventional for most mainstream actors, prompting him to step in. The result is a bold political satire that aims to challenge audiences and ignite conversation.